How to Celebrate the End of Summer as a Family

Because saying goodbye to summer doesn’t have to be sad

Every year, without fail, August shows up and feels like someone hit fast forward on summer. One minute we’re dripping popsicle juice onto the driveway, and the next we’re labeling lunchboxes and Googling “quick dinner ideas for busy school nights.” I swear, August is the Sunday night of summer—and I’ve learned that if we don’t slow down on purpose, we blink and it’s over.

So instead of rushing into the school year with a pile of laundry and a lump in my throat, we’ve started building in a few little rituals. Nothing fancy. No Pinterest-perfect moments. Just simple things that help us hold on and let go—because that’s really what this season is about.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to wrap up summer with full hearts and sandy feet:

1. a special Back-to-School Dinner 🎉

The night before school starts, we sit down together for a “fancy” family dinner. And by fancy, I mean the kids set the table with mismatched placemats and someone always sneaks a paper towel in place of a napkin. But we light candles, make homemade brownies, and talk about our hopes for the new year. It’s nothing extravagant, but it feels special and they remember it.

2. Summer Scrapbook Night With Zero Expectations 📸

I print out a stack of summer photos… random, blurry, sun-soaked… and throw them on the table with markers, washi tape, and glue sticks. Everyone makes their own page or two to stick in our family binder. It’s messy and chaotic, but hearing them laugh about things we already forgot is my favorite part. Somehow, it always ends with stories, crumbs, and a floor covered in paper bits.

3. One Last Pool Day-Even If It’s for 30 Minutes 🩱

No matter how hectic August feels, we make time for one final dip. It’s our way of saying goodbye to slow afternoons and the scent of sunscreen. We cannonball, we float, and yes, we always get ice cream on the way home. It’s simple, but it helps us feel the ending in the best way.

4. Clean-Out Day (Cue the Chaos Playlist) 🧹

This one’s not glamorous, but it’s become a tradition because it clears mental clutter too. We tackle the backpacks, closets, and whatever science experiment is happening in the backseat of my car. I bribe the kids with pizza, crank up the music, and pretend we’re in a cleaning montage from a feel-good movie. It’s weirdly satisfying to start the school year without mystery crumbs in every corner.

5. Summer Send-Off Movie Night (Comfy Clothes Required) 🍿

We end the season with a movie night that celebrates the magic of childhood. Think The Sandlot, Paddington, or The Parent Trap ~ classics with heart and humor. We pile on the blankets, make popcorn, and stay up later than we should. It’s cozy, comforting, and the perfect soft landing into the new season.

The truth is, I’ll probably never be fully ready to say goodbye to summer. I love the barefoot mornings, the unstructured evenings, the chaos that somehow feels lighter in the heat. But these little traditions help me mark the transition, honor the sweetness, and look ahead with something close to joy.

So if you’re feeling that ache… the one that comes with August sunsets and school supply bins, start small. Pick one tradition. Light a candle, jump in the pool, make a mess with some photos. Let summer end slowly, lovingly, and on your terms.

Because even the best seasons deserve a good goodbye. 💛