There's something almost magical about the last day of school, walking out the doors and taking in the first breaths of summer vacation. Sweet freedom. Why not throw an impromptu party to mark the occasion? Let the kids invite their friends and kick-off summer together. An end-of-school party should a laid-back, unstructured affair—quite the opposite of the last nine months of rigorous schooling. Here's what I suggest:
- Blankets on the lawn for sitting or lazing
- Slices of pizza delivered hot and ready for hungry hands
- Ice cold drinks
- Watermelon wedges
- Pens and markers available for yearbook autographs
- Old t-shirts to decorate with autographs
- An iPod dock available—let the kids take turn being DJ
- Squirt guns in a bucket, preferrably with a hose nearby
- An assortment of ice cream treats—a preview of the ice cream man's summer offerings
- Packs of chewing gum for party favors (a major school no-no)