20 Last Day of School Traditions to Celebrate as a Family

It’s never too late to start a new ritual and these last day of school traditions are a fun way to celebrate the end of the school year.

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The last day of school is both a happy and sad occasion. While you celebrate your child’s accomplishments, you also mark another year off the calendar.

Savor those memories with these last-day-of-school ideas for parents that will help you remember it all, whether your child is moving to a new school or just moving up to the next grade.

And if you’re celebrating the last last day of school, you’ll want to read these graduation traditions for parents of high school seniors.

Fun end-of-school traditions

1. Photo

Take a photo of your child in the place where you also took a photo on the first day. That could be by the front door, at the school, or sitting at their desk.

2. Lunch note

Pack a lunch box note. Whether you’ve been packing a note every day or not, write a special message to remind your child that you are proud of them for all that they have accomplished this year.

3. Balloons

Count down the last day with balloons. Fill five balloons with a note or a treat and number them. Each day, have your child pop a balloon and enjoy the surprise inside.

4. Signatures

Send your child to school on the last day with something that friends can write on and a sharpie. Your child’s friends can autograph their shirt, a pillowcase, or another keepsake. This is especially fun for kids moving up to the next school campus, i.e. 5th grade to middle school.

5. Teacher note

Write the teacher a note or give a gift. If you just sent a gift on Teacher Appreciation Day, a heartfelt note from you or your child will mean a lot on the last day. If you want to give a gift, send something like a gift card that can be enjoyed over vacation.

6. Contact cards

Hand out contact information to friends. Some schools have a directory of addresses and of course, you probably already have phone numbers for your child’s BFFs. If you want to keep in contact or plan playdates over the summer use these printable summer contact cards. They include space for contact info and a reminder to “stay in touch this summer!”

7. Planning

Make a summer bucket list. Sit down together and plan out a few fun things to look forward to doing over the summer break.

8. Surprise

Kick off the summer with a fun surprise when your child comes home from the last day. Keep it simple, such as hiding a bucket of water balloons by the front door or making a Last Day basket full of summer fun.

9. Flowers

If your child is having a graduation or a moving up ceremony bring a bouquet. It’s a unique surprise that will make them feel special.

10. Car art

Decorate your car for one last drive through the pickup line. Write on the windows with liquid chalk markers, tie balloons and streamers to the antenna, or make a paper sign to display.

11. Breakfast

Serve a fancy breakfast (or just something you don’t normally have on a school day) for the last morning before school. Some fun ideas include homemade chocolate chip pancakes or picking up donuts from the local bakery.

12. Chalk

If your child rides the bus, decorate the sidewalk from the bus stop to the front door with sidewalk chalk. Write messages like, “Happy summer!”

13. Party

Host a First Day of Summer party with a few friends. Keep it simple with kid classics like sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, water guns, and finger foods.

14. Reading

Start their summer reading list by purchasing a few good books or going to the library. While you’re at the library, check to see if they are hosting a summer reading challenge with special activities and prizes.

15. Photo book

Make a scrapbook or photo book with pictures of your child from the year. Before printing photos from your phone, be sure they are full-size to avoid blurry prints.

16. Notes

Start a tradition for the future. Write your child a note about their school year. Put it in an envelope and write a new note on the last day of every year. Give your child the notes when they graduate from high school.

17. Shop

Treat your child to a shopping trip to pick up some summertime essentials like sunglasses, a hat, and flip-flops. Be sure to pick up the less-fun essentials, like sunscreen, too.

18. Garden

Start a summer garden. Beans, carrots, cucumbers, and melons can be planted in May or June throughout the US.

19. Music

Make a summertime playlist including your favorite songs for hanging out at home and having fun.

20. Next year

Start counting down to the first day of school! Make a chart, mark the days on the family calendar, or make a paper chain and tear off one ring daily. Summer goes by so fast – this will be a great reminder to make the most of it!