Kids Late Night Extravaganza – The New Tradition

A few months ago my friend Valerie began telling me of her plans to celebrate the end of the school year with her children by taking them on an all nighter of fun.  Being a former Youth Pastors wife I had plenty if experience when it came to all nighters of fun.

Back in our youth Pastoring days an All Nighter meant loading onto a bus around 10pm and begin heading to the first of many activities such as bowling, skating, broom hokey, putt putt golf, with stops along the way for food. This activity lasted until the next morning – hours of fun for active teenagers and one exhausting night for the youth pastor and his wife.

So, you would think I’d look at Valerie and say you are crazy but instead I said could we join in?  The planning began and we soon realized that many places were not opened in the middle of the night for two moms and their kids like they were for 100 teens and their youth pastor.  So our all nighter of fun quickly turned into a Late Night Extravaganza.

We began our late night extravaganza at 4:30 pm by giving our kids their first clue- an oversized ticket that Valerie made using her handy dandy Cricut machine.  We began driving to our first destination only to have to hear “where are we going?  Give us more clues.” Until we entered the parking lot, then they knew it was time for dinner and our first stop at The Old Spaghetti Factory.

After dinner we continued with a clue for each destination to add a little suspense along the way.  Our stops included Bowling (using our kids bowl free coupons), Dairy queen for ice cream, a movie, a round of putt putt golf and we ended with mid night munchies at a local drive thru.

Our schedule looked like this

4:30 – Meet at Valerie’s house

5:00 – Dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory

6:30 - Bowling

8:00 -  Dairy Queen

9:00 - Movie

11:00 - Putt Putt Golf

12:00 - Midnight Munchies

The Novotny kids were home and in bed by 1:30am  (Valerie’s kids really did stay up most the night watching movies with their super mom)

Our kids enjoyed their first late night extravaganza and are already wondering if these two moms will make this an annual end of the school year tradition.  I guess they will have to wait and see.

You could do this fun event anytime of year  - so why not add this to your Summer Bucket List of Fun to do with your kids this Summer

Classmate Favors For End Of The School Year

 End the school year off with one of these simple to make treats for your children's classmates:

 Smartie Pants
Create a simple favor for your child's classmates or just to tuck in their lunch as they end the school year with this Smartie Pants tag from it is what it is blog.  Click here to get your FREE printable tag.




Skittle Fun

Bright Colored Skittles go with summer and fun so create these fun end of the school year treats for your children's classmates.  We found these  over at Whinning and Dinning.  Click here for complete how to.

Summer FUN

Always a Party at the Parkers created a FREE fun set of Summer Fun printables to help create fun favors for your classmates or celebrations.  Click here to get your free printables

Kool Summer

What kid doesn't enjoy a glass of Koolaide during a hot summer day?  These simple and inexpensive classmate favors are a perfect way to celebrate the end of a school year and the beginning of Summer.  Complete instructions can be found over at B.Jane.  Click here to go there now.

Chalk it up Fun

Chalk it up to another great summer is a fun message to place on a set of sidewalk chalk or even take one piece of sidewalk chalk  wrap it in cellophane then tie each end with ribbon and add a tag to make a fun end of the school year favor for the students in your child's class.  Pink Peppermint Blogger has more summer fun favor ideas like this one.  Click here to see her Summer fun Goodie ideas.

Stay Cool This Summer - Fun Gift Idea

Use this tag to create a fun end of the school year gift for friends, family or neighbors.  It comes in two sizes and is FREE from eighteen25.  Click here to get your free Stay Cool summer tags.

Organizing School Papers and Supplies

By Trisha

We are just days away from the final school bell ringing and my kids arriving home with bags of school papers, art projects and even a pile of well used school supplies ready for me to sort, organize and dispose.

How can you organize this year’s end of school year piles? Click here to read Trisha's tips to Organizing School Papers and Supplies at SC Johnson

Be sure to leave me  a comment over at SC Johnson

Ding Dong Ditch

We found this fun idea over at Poppies at play blog.  I believe that  part of growing up is learning how to Ding Dong Ditch.

Traditionally this is learned and practiced without parent participation.

Poppies at play thinks we need to change that. She says we need to teach our children the basics of knocking and running with this fun Ding Dong Ditch printable idea

Click here for your FREE printable.  Now think who you will Ding Dong Ditch

End Of The School Year Celebration Ideas

My Mom reputation has become the MOM who thinks school gets in her way for Family Fun  -which is why so I am so ready to begin celebrating the end of the school year and welcome my kids home to SUMMER VACATION. Last week on 24/7 MOMS Live webcast we shared the below ideas with our mom viewers to help them celebrate the end of the school year.

Remember these are IDEAS do not run out and overwhelm yourself trying to pull these all off. Try one or two of them and add some fun as your kids end their school year.

 Counting The Days

Countdown Calendar: Make a big calendar to hang on the wall for the last month of school. Have your child write down things she wants to do when school is over and then add some of those very things into the calendar and show her that school days and fun days don't have to be separate.

At School Celebrations

Decorated lunch bag – on the last day of school decorate a paper sack with markers saying things like "Last lunch of the year" - "Happy Last day of 4th grade" you could even use a colored handle gift bag and use ribbon to keep it closed.

T-Shirt fun - create a last day of school T-shirt that their friends can sign using fabric markers. You could even doll it up with iron on transfers that you place pictures from the year on or cute sayings.

Book Signing- Purchase either Dr. Seuss " oh, the places you will go" or Curious George " On your way" books and have your Children's teacher sign it each year until they graduate from high school then present it to them as a keepsake from their school years. ( You can start this tradition at any grade).

Letter From Teachers - Ask each of your children's teachers to write your child a letter at the end of the school year.  This is great for scrap booking or keeping for your child's graduation.

Picture Time: Give your children disposable cameras and allow them to take pictures of their last day of school activities and friends.

Pick-Up Fun:  Arrive at school with your car all decorated with balloons, fun messages written on your windows what a fun greeting as your kids arrive into the parking lot.

At The Bus Stop Celebrations

Celebrate by greeting kids with Balloons, Popsicles etc when they walk off the bus.

At Home Celebrations

1. Mom and Me
Take your daughters for Pedicures
Take kids out for ice cream either right after school or dinner
Go shopping for swim suits or even flip flops/sandals
Go out for a movie, or putt putt golf
SURPRISE – treat them each year to a fun “school’s out” activity. Give them clues before leaving home. (I.E.-Movie, putt golf, local activity part, laser tag, Chuckie Cheese) Change up each year for an added surprise, invite friends.

2. Kick off the Summer Party
Host a neighborhood or friend party (send out summer themed invites such as on beach balls or message in a bottle)
 - Water gun fight and balloons
- Rent a jumpy house and serve simple food
- Outdoor treasure hunt
- Musical beach blankets
- Limbo

Gi    3.  “Celebration” Gifts (stuff you will buy anyways)

Beach bag filled or beach towel with items tied to it
Reusable water bottle for summer
Flip flops
Sunglasses, sunscreen or lipstick with spf 15 or higher
Gift card to McDonalds or bookstore
Spa kits for DIY night (Do It Yourself)
Bubbles for younger ones or sidewalk chalk.

Beach towels

New swim suits

games

Water toys

Kiddie pools

Life vests

Beach bags / re-usable totes

Gift Card Bouquet – great for teens and put cards from places they will be going all summer  such as coffee shops, fast food, movies etc.

MOM I'm Bored Jar – Create a jar filled with ideas to do this summer that are free, fun and creative

4. Picnic Celebration

Picnic at local park
If all else fails –picnic in the backyard

5. HOME SWEET HOME

Have graduation theme music playing when they arrive home
Make a sign that says welcome home (grader); put the grade they will be entering in the fall
Family MOVIE night- bring TV outside and have a home “drive in”
Sleepover outside under the stars.

Kids Choice Dinner – What they want to eat and where to eat it


6. Summer Reading Fun
Take kids to library check out books for free and get them a card if they don’t have one
Go to half price books or thrift store to purchase used books
Take kids to local bookstore and purchase a NEW summer reading book
Don’t forget magazines, comic books or crossword puzzles for FUN reads.

7. Special Eats/Treats

Special Breakfast in the AM smoothies etc

Make homemade ice cream or Popsicles

Sno cones
Eat “grad hats”- mini peanut butter cup, top with chocolate graham cracker and add fruit leather as tassel
Make favorite summer lunch/dinner (hot dogs, hamburgers and s’mores)
Special dinner - decorate table (celebration style) and serve special dessert
Serve chocolate dipped strawberries, fresh fruit salad or fruit kabobs
Bake favorite cookies and serve fresh out of the oven.

8. Backyard Surprise
Create SPA experience, lounge chairs, water with lemons
Set up badminton, crochet or other favorite outdoor game
Set up slip and slide, squirt guns or water experience
Decorate party style with balloons, streamers and cake
Reorganize the backyard with new outdoor toys (check thrift stores).

9. Morning After- celebrate the first day off from school
PJ day- stay in jammies all day
Eat sugary cereal
Throw or put away all items that resemble school (papers, lunch boxes, school clothes)
Go out for a morning breakfast or brunch
Drag out summer clothes
Rearrange bedroom- give it a new feel
Celebrate “extended bedtime” (I.E. move bedtime 15 mins. to 1 hour).

How do you celebrate the end of the school year?

Dr. Seuss End Of The School Year Tradition

Several years ago I  purchased two copies of the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go to use as a new tradition with my two youngest boys (Caleb and Nate-no).  At the end of each school year I have their school teachers write a little note inside these books to them. When they graduate from High School I will present the filled book to them and allow others to sign it at their graduation party.

I came up with this idea as I was looking at the copy of this book given to my #1 Son (Stephen Jr) when he graduated from Kindergarten. The giver had signed the book with a little note to him. It’s too late to now to have all of Stephen Jr's teachers sign his copy - he graduated from High School in 2008. But, there is still time for a new tradition for the 2 youngest boys. Now to just remember to have their teachers sign it each year.

* You can start this at any grade or age.

End Of The School Year Celebration Ideas

Be the COOL Summer mom with one or more of our end of the School year celebration ideas.

Countdown

Countdown Calendar: Make a big calendar to hang on the wall for the last month of school. Have your child write down things she wants to do when school is over and then add some of those very things into the calendar and show her that school days and fun days don't have to be separate.

At School

Decorated lunch bag – on the last day of school decorate a paper sack with markers saying things like "Last lunch of the year" - "Happy Last day of 4th grade" you could even use a colored handle gift bag and use ribbon to keep it closed.

T-Shirt fun - create a last day of school T-shirt that their friends can sign using fabric markers. You could even doll it up with iron on transfers that you place pictures from the year on or cute sayings.

Book Signing- Purchase either Dr. Seuss " oh, the places you will go" or Curious George " On your way" books and have your Children's teacher sign it each year until they graduate from high school then present it to them as a keepsake from their school years. ( You can start this tradition at any grade).

Bus Stop Celebrations
Greet your child or all of the children with a balloon
Greet your child or all of the children with a Popsicle
Create a large banner and allow the children to run through sign as they exit the bus.

Mom and Me
Take your daughters for Pedicures
Take kids out for ice cream either right after school or after dinner
Go shopping for swim suits or flip flops/sandals
Go out for a movie, or putt putt golf
SURPRISE – treat them each year to a fun “school’s out” activity. Give them clues before leaving home. (I.E.-Movie, putt golf, local activity part, laser tag, Chuckie Cheese) Change up each year for an added surprise, invite friends.

Kick off the Summer Party
Host a neighborhood or friend party (send out summer themed invites such as on beach balls or message in a bottle)
Water gun fight and balloons
Rent a jumpy house and serve simple food
Host an outdoor treasure hunt
Watermelon eating contest'

Give “Celebration” Gifts (stuff you will buy anyways)

Beach bag filled with summer items

Beach towel with items tied to it ( sunglasses, flip flops, book)
Reusable water bottle for summer with their name on it
Flip flops
Sunglasses, sunscreen or lipstick with spf 15 or higher
Gift card to McDonalds , bookstore, Jamba juice etc.
Spa kits for DIY night ( Do It Yourself)
Bubbles for younger ones or sidewalk chalk.

New swim suits

Games

Water toys

Kiddie pools

Life vests

Picnic Celebration
Have a picnic at your kids’ school on the play ground
Take a Picnic to a local park
If all else fails –picnic in the backyard

HOME SWEET HOME
Have graduation theme music playing when they arrive home
Make a sign that says welcome home ( 4th grader); put the grade they will be entering in the fall
Family MOVIE night- bring TV outside and have a home “drive in”
Sleepover outside under the stars.

Summer Reading Fun
Take kids to the library to check out books for free and get them their own library card.
Go to half price books or thrift store to purchase used books
Take kids to local bookstore and purchase a NEW summer reading book
Don’t forget magazines, comic books or crossword puzzles for FUN reads.

Special Eats/Treats
Special Breakfast in the AM smoothies etc
Make homemade ice cream or Popsicles

Sno cones
Make “grad hats”- mini peanut butter cup, top with chocolate graham cracker and add fruit leather as tassel
Make favorite summer lunch/dinner (hot dogs, hamburgers and s’mores)
Special dinner - decorate table (celebration style) and serve special dessert
Serve chocolate dipped strawberries, fresh fruit salad or fruit kabobs
Bake favorite cookies and serve fresh out of the oven.

Backyard Surprise
Create SPA experience, lounge chairs, water with lemons
Set up badminton, crochet or other favorite outdoor game
Set up slip and slide, squirt guns or water experience
Decorate party style with balloons, streamers and cake
Reorganize the backyard with new outdoor toys (check thrift stores).

Morning After- celebrate the first day off from school
PJ day- stay in jammies all day
Eat sugary cereal
Throw or put away all items that resemble school (papers, lunch boxes, school clothes)
Go out for a morning breakfast or brunch
Drag out summer clothes
Rearrange bedroom- give it a new feel
Celebrate “extended bedtime” (I.E. move bedtime 15 mins. to 1 hour).

24/7 MOMS wants to hear YOUR end of school year celebration ideas Click here to leave your ideas on the 24/7 MOMS community boards.

Dr. Seuss School Tradition

Last year I purchased two copies of the Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You’ll Go to use as a new tradition with my two youngest boys (Caleb and Nate-no). My plan is at the end of each school year to have their school teacher write a little note inside the book to them. When they graduate from High School I will present the filled book to them and allow others to sign it at their graduation party.

I came up with this idea as I was looking at the copy of this book given to my #1 Son (Stephen Jr) when he graduated from Kindergarten. The giver had signed the book with a little note to him. It’s too late to now to have all of Stephen Jr's teachers sign his copy - he graduated from High School last year. But, there is still time for a new tradition for the 2 youngest boys. Now to just remember to have their teachers sign it each year.

10 TIPS for Celebrating the End of the School Year

Why not kick off the summer with FUN? 10 TIPS to help you be the COOL summer mom.


1. Bus Stop Celebrations
Greet with a balloon
Greet with a Popsicle
Create a large banner and allow kids to run through sign.

2. Mom and Me
Take your daughters for Pedicures
Take kids out for ice cream either right after school or dinner
Go shopping for swim suits or even flip flops/sandals
Go out for a movie, or putt putt golf
SURPRISE – treat them each year to a fun “school’s out” activity. Give them clues before leaving home. (I.E.-Movie, putt golf, local activity part, laser tag, Chuckie Cheese) Change up each year for an added surprise, invite friends.

3. Kick off the Summer Party
Host a neighborhood or friend party (send out summer themed invites such as on beach balls or message in a bottle)
Water gun fight and balloons
Rent a jumpy house and serve simple food
Outdoor treasure hunt
Musical beach blankets
Limbo
Watermelon eating contest'


4. Give “Celebration” Gifts (stuff you will buy anyways)
Reusable water bottle for summer
Flip flops
Sunglasses, sunscreen or lipstick with spf 15 or higher
Gift card to McDonalds or bookstore
Spa kits for DIY night ( Do It Yourself)
Bubbles for younger ones or sidewalk chalk.

5. Picnic Celebration
Have a picnic at your kids’ school on the play grounds
Picnic at local park
If all else fails –picnic in the backyard

6. HOME SWEET HOME
Have graduation theme music playing when they arrive home
Make a sign that says welcome home (grader); put the grade they will be entering in the fall
Family MOVIE night- bring TV outside and have a home “drive in”
Sleepover outside under the stars.


7. Summer Reading Fun
Take kids to library check out books for free
Go to half price books or thrift store to purchase used books
Take kids to local bookstore and purchase a NEW summer reading book
Don’t forget magazines, comic books or crossword puzzles for FUN reads.

8. Special Eats/Treats
Special Breakfast in the AM smoothies etc
Make homemade ice cream or Popsicles
Eat “grad hats”- mini peanut butter cup, top with chocolate graham cracker and add fruit leather as tassel
Make favorite summer lunch/dinner (hot dogs, hamburgers and s’mores)
Special dinner - decorate table (celebration style) and serve special dessert
Serve chocolate dipped strawberries, fresh fruit salad or fruit kabobs
Bake favorite cookies and serve fresh out of the oven.

9. Backyard Surprise
Create SPA experience, lounge chairs, water with lemons
Set up badminton, crochet or other favorite outdoor game
Set up slip and slide, squirt guns or water experience
Decorate party style with balloons, streamers and cake
Reorganize the backyard with new outdoor toys (check thrift stores).

10. Morning After- celebrate the first day off from school
PJ day- stay in jammies all day
Eat sugary cereal
Throw or put away all items that resemble school (papers, lunch boxes, school clothes)
Go out for a morning breakfast or brunch
Drag out summer clothes
Rearrange bedroom- give it a new feel
Celebrate “extended bedtime” (I.E. move bedtime 15 mins. to 1 hour).


These Tips are from the 24/7 MOMS Live weekly TIP TALK

What are you doing to celebrate the end of the school year with your children? Share your ideas with us.