18 Fun Things to Do Before Going Back to School

End of Summer traditions and fun things to do before going back to school with these summer theme crafts and activities for kids.  The summer season is almost at an end, so make it memorable with these end of summer activities!

The Tip Junkie Creative Community has 860 summer theme crafts with  pictured tutorials with free patterns for the end of summer!  So be sure to search there if you’re looking for something specific. {wink}

End of Summer

1.  End of Summer Popsicle Party {free printables} ~ What better way to celebrate the end of summer than with a popsicle party?!  It’s a simple and inexpensive way to throw a quick backyard party.  You can download and print the adorable popsicle labels/tags for free.

2.  Summer Movie Night {summer party themes} ~ I am so loving this vintage movie night in bright summer colors! What a fun and inexpensive way to gather friends and family and indulge in one of our favorite pastimes. Your very own drive-in in your backyard. Hang a white sheet with clothespins, lay some blankets out and don’t forget the popcorn. This would be fantastic for a family reunion, girls night out, end of summer bash or even a date night.

3.  Heart Tie-Dye T-shirt ~ Make adorable heart tie-dyed t-shirts for both boys and girls. All you need is a white t-shirt, two colors of tie-dye, rubber bands, and a heart template. I promise – if I can do it, you can definitely do it and everyone will be impressed!!

4.  18 Outdoor Activities With Kids Perfect for Summer ~ How to play cool activities, games for kids, and make fun summer relay games using the outdoors and simple items you can pick up for about a dollar.  You and your kids will have so much fun with these 18 Outdoor Activities with Kids Perfect for Summer, which include relay races, kids games, outdoor activities, outdoor party games, and fun game signs to go along with each children’s activities!

5.  Marshmallow Shooters ~ These miniature marshmallow shooters are so much fun!  You place a mini marshmallow into the end of the gun, blow on the other end and the marshmallow aims at the target.  The tutorial includes instructions for the pvc pipe shooter.

6. Melted Crayon Canvas Art ~  Melted Crayon Canvas art is all the rage right now, but actually finding a tutorial is harder than you might think.  Stephanie’s tutorial is fabulous and will walk you through each step.

7.  Homemade Sidewalk Chalk ~  Make your own chalk for side walk fun!  You can play hopscotch, four-square, and of course draw all kinds of shapes and designs!

Summer Season

8.  Lemonade & Iced Coffee Stand  ~ You could use this idea to host an impromptu Summer party, or put together an actual lemonade stand for the kids. I love that iced coffee is available for adults! Tell me how anyone could resist driving by something this cute and not stop for a drink?!

9.  Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids ~ This game is great learning tool for the kids that helps them interact with their surroundings. They’ll have a ball searching high and low for all the goodies on their list!  There are 20 items total to find on the list, including special items of a certain color, shape and texture.

10.  Sandpaper Starfish ~ Create a super fun sandy starfish without the mess.  You can get the sand texture by using sandpaper.

11.  DIY Sand Dough to Make an Everlasting Sandcastle ~ Make this 5 minute dough recipe from easy ingredients, and your kids can build a sand castle and sea animals that will air dry hard! They can keep their little sand castles forever!  This is a great (and free!) souvenir from a vacation. Bring a little sand home with you, make the dough, let your kids make a castle, and it will dry hard for them to keep and remember their vacation forever!

12.  Sand Handprint ~ Make a sand handprint keepsake to capture precious memories.  You can also make a footprint using the same technique with plaster of paris.

13.  How to Create Memories in a Jar {mason jar} ~ Create mementos of your summer vacations using photos, accessories, and a jar.

Summer Theme

14.  Homemade Ice Cream in a Can {Kid Cooking} ~ No ice cream making, no problem! With this great tutorial you’ll use can to make yummy homemade ice cream! Your kids will love to not only eat the delicious treat but also make it!

15.  Cake Batter Milkshakes ~ A delicious milkshake with Funfetti cake mix.  Don’t forget to decorate the glass with sprinkles too!

16.  Pineapple Orange  Banana Popsicles ~ Made of nothing but fruit, you don’t have to feel an ounce of guilt eating these yummy Summer treats.  You could even let the kids have them for/with breakfast!  Or break them out for dessert and they will never miss the extra sugar.

17.  Watermelon Fudge ~ I adore this out of the box fudge idea.  How colorful and fun!  And, you can eat it.  It’s taken chocolate fudge to a whole new level.

18.  S’mores Pops ~ Here’s a smores recipe with a twist ~ S’mores Pops!  This recipe lets you enjoy the sweet taste of s’mores without the campfire.  Christi from Love From the Oven created these for Tip Junkie and we LOVE them.  And her.

Fun Things To Make:

• 14 End of Summer Activities and Crafts
• 12 Fun Relay Races for Kids
• 57 Clever Cardboard and Cardboard Tube Crafts to Make
• 12 Fun Water Games to Play Outside

If you love these activities for kids– then you’ll find HUNDREDS more just as creative over on the Tip Junkie Kids site!

Thanks Ladies. I just adore these tutorials! Feel free to grab my “I was featured on Tip Junkie” blog button. You earned it! {knuckle bumps}

Also, don’t forget to check out the Tip Junkie Facebook page for even more crafts, activities for kids, creative ideas, and free tutorials. It’s a great place to ask questions on how to make things or for specific tutorials that you are looking for. I’ll be happy to find them for ya!

Creating Memories that Endure,

Laurie

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