Farewell, Flip-Flops! Celebrate Summer’s End

The days are getting a bit shorter. Leaves on trees are beginning (like us!) to look a little weary from too many scorching hot days. School supplies are bursting from store shelves. Yes, summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Instead of feeling sad about saying goodbye to the season’s long, leisurely days, let’s give summer a proper sendoff with some fantastic celebrations that your family and friends will love.

Backyard Beach Bonanza

It’s time for one last trip to the beach, even if that beach is in your backyard. Get out all the sand and beach toys one last time before you clean and store them for the season. Fill up a kiddie pool with water and let the kids splash around, or fill it with a couple of bags of play sand so they can create sandcastles one last time. Lay out beach towels and blankets on the grass for a sunbathing session. Serve up classic summer snacks like watermelon, popsicles, and ice cream cones. As the sun begins to set, transition from the beach party to a cozy campfire. Gather around a fire pit or grill for one last summer night of storytelling and a dinner of charred hot dogs and gooey s’mores…a perfect way to use up any leftover campfire snacks.

Sunset Gratitude Journaling

Sunsets, nature’s daily finale, are a fitting metaphor for summer’s end, and a perfect opportunity to reflect on the season you’ve just experienced. Find a comfortable spot outside as the sun begins to dip below the horizon. Provide everyone with a notebook or piece of paper and ask them to write down a few things they are grateful for as they recall the summer season. It could be a fun vacation, a new skill learned, a special moment shared, or simply the joy of longer daylight hours. Sharing your reflections with one other leads to laughs and adds more dimension to the memories.  Whether done with your family or alone, this practice encourages mindfulness and appreciation, helping us focus on the positive aspects of the season as it comes to a close.

A Trip to the State Fair

If you have time and budget for a getaway, nothing says “farewell, summer” quite like the bright lights, loud music, and delicious smells of a state fair. Many fairs kick off right at the end of the season or over Labor Day weekend (Texas and Minnesota boast two of the biggest and best). Attending a fair is a fun way to let go of any end-of-summer blues and fully embrace the sensory overload.  You can spend the afternoon wandering through the livestock barns, marveling at the prize-winning farm animals, or checking out the giant pumpkins and other impressive produce in the exhibition halls. At night, the whole scene transforms as carnival rides and games come alive with lights and music. And of course, a trip to the fair is not complete without the food. Corn dogs, funnel cakes and more fried goodies are the cuisine of choice at fairs across the country. The atmosphere is a special mix of nostalgia and excitement that makes for a perfect end-of-season memory.

Closing Ceremonies

The transition from one season to the next can feel a little abrupt, so creating a conscious moment that allows you to acknowledge what was great about the summer and prepare for what’s ahead can be incredibly helpful for both kids and adults.  The concept of “opening and closing ceremonies” was popularized by Kendra Adachi, author of several bestselling books and host of the popular The Lazy Genius podcast, as a way to mindfully mark these changes. She recently asked her Instagram community for their best ideas for a summer closing ceremony, and their suggestions were simple, creative and fun.

Here are some other ideas to help you plan your celebration:

• If you have access to a pool, consider holding a cannonball or diving contest and give out silly trophies. Or, you could hide small, waterproof treasures at the bottom of the pool and have people race to find the items.
• Collect input on each person’s favorite summer dish, then make a farewell summer feast. It’s even more fun if the flavors and cuisine seem mismatched.  BBQ ribs and bowls of cereal? Why not!
• Commemorate the last “stay up late” night. Go for a late night drive-through treat wearing pajamas. Explore your neighborhood in the quiet of night with a family walk or bike ride, being sure to notice the sounds of crickets and tree frogs…their songs will be winding down once the weather cools.
• Speaking of songs, have a late night dance party with all the songs you’ve played this summer, or tunes that have been especially popular on the radio or in movies. Thrill your family by adding an inexpensive LED disco light to the fun!

Outdoor Movie Magic Night

You know we love a movie night under the stars. We just can’t get enough of  this cozy ritual! These days, technology is making it easier than ever to transform your backyard into an outdoor cinema.  You really only need a white sheet, projector screen, comfortable seating, and yummy snacks.  If you want to upgrade the experience, check out how the family over at Young House Love created an affordable yet impressive setup for their backyard movie nights. Once you’ve set up your equipment, let the kids help choose a favorite family-friendly movie (check out UP Faith & Family’s kid-safe titles as well as a special collection of back to school films!)  As the stars come out and the opening credits begin, you’ll have created an enchanting experience that everyone will enjoy.

As the last fireflies blink and in the moments you’re convinced you can smell a hint of autumn in the air, slow down and embrace these final days of summer with joy and connection.  Really savor it. Those pumpkin spice lattes will be here soon enough.

Need some ideas for a new family movie to stream? Check out our favorite family-friendly movies and series. Stream anytime on UP Faith & Family. Start your 7-day free trial today!

Melanie Gilbert owns Choral Communications and resides in Atlanta with her husband, daughter, and two cats.