Last day of school traditions

I know school has already let out for some of you, but for many of us in Canada, there's still another month or so to go before the final bell tolls on the 2015-2016 school year. So, I thought I'd give you a few suggestions for things to make the last day of school a little extra memorable for your kids.

Finish Line

This one went over big in our house. Basically, all you do is take a long roll of paper (or several sheets of paper taped together if you don't have a roll hanging around) and stretch it across the entrance to your home. Write something like "Finish Line! End of Grade (whatever)! You made it!" and allow your kids to "crash" through when they get home. Don't forget to take pics!

Basket of "Summer Fun!"

What are the tools of a great summer? Water guns, fun books, sand toys, sunglasses, colouring, art supplies -- whatever your kids are in to, put together a basket of some fun stuff to get the summer off on the right foot!

Here's what we did one year:

Take a special photo

This one takes a bit of preplanning, but since I'm pretty sure most of you will take photos on the first day of school, it's not a big deal. On the last day of school, take a photo of your child holding a photo of herself on the first day of the school year. You'll be amazed at how much they will have changed, and this is a super-fun way to show it!

If you want to do a little photo editing, another fun idea is to make sure the photo you take has enough white space around your child so you can add in some fun accomplishments from the school year. Did they join a club? Learn a new skill? Win an award? Learn to tie their shoes? Whatever it is that made that grade special, include it. The photo will then serve as a time capsule, a snapshot in time in more ways than one.

Go for ice cream!

When school lets out for the final time, it's not the time to worry about saving appetites for dinner. It's time to celebrate! Head to the ice cream parlour and live a little. If ice cream ends up being dinner, so what? It's once a year.

Let them choose dinner

If ice cream isn't your child's thing, why not let them choose dinner? No rules. No food pyramid for this meal! Let them decide what the family has. You might be surprised by what they choose!

Have a movie night!

Let your kids pick the movies, make some snacks, get in your pjs and have a movie marathon! Let them stay up past bedtime, even if it's only a little. There's no school tomorrow!

These are just some of the ways you can celebrate the last day of school with your family. What are your traditions? I'd like to hear it!

#familyfun #celebrate #lastdayofschool