School is winding down, and that means summer is right around the corner.

Here are 10 fun ways to kick off your summer with your kids!

1. Have an outdoor movie night. 

Project a movie onto your house or garage. If you’re not able to do this, cuddle up on a blanket and watch a movie on a laptop computer.

2. Join a summer reading program.

Many libraries offer free summer programs. Ours offers weekly activities, free library cards for the summer, story hours, and more!

3. Camp in the backyard. 

Add s’mores and hotdogs to the mix, and you’ll be #1 Mom or #1 Dad for sure!

4. Decorate your home with balloons and banners for the children to see when they get home from school. 

5. Go out for ice cream after school lets out. 

Or…make homemade ice cream instead.

6. With your kids’ help, write a list of activities you’d like to do this summer. 

Here are a few ideas to get you started: go to a local swimming pool or aquatic center, take a field trip to a local museum, go to a park, have a water balloon fight, make homemade ice cream, camp, do a puzzle, play a board game, go on a picnic, go for a walk, go to a drive in movie, etc.

7. Throw a “Welcome Summer” Party! 

Invite some friends over, grill some delicious food, and anticipate summer together.

8. Have a water balloon fight. 

Better yet, surprise the kids when they get home with water balloons or water guns!

9. Plan a vacation.

Or…if you’ve already planned one for later in the summer,  wait until the kids get out of school to tell them about your trip. Or…begin you trip right after school gets out. Wouldn’t that be fun to surprise them right after you picked them up from their final day of school?!

10. Kid’s Choice! 

Let the kids choose something fun to do for the evening: bowling, mini golf, board games, roller skating, movie marathon, etc.

How do YOU celebrate the last day of school? Leave your ideas in the comments so we can add them to our list!