It’s back to school time, and vacations and lazy days are in the rearview mirror.
While there are still warm months ahead, we usually recognize the Labor Day holiday as the unofficial end of summer.
It may be hard to say goodbye for another year, but we’re here to ease the blow with some fun ideas to create last-minute summertime memories.
Labor Day is often a time for family cookouts or one last trip to the pool or beach.
But many kids (and even parents) don’t know the real reason we celebrate Labor Day.
The first Monday in September was designated an official holiday by Congress in 1884 to honor hardworking Americans and celebrate their part in the prosperity of our nation.
It is often a welcome day off for working Americans and a perfect time to kick back, relax and reflect.
Our kids may wonder why Mom or Dad go off to work each day, and this is a great time to talk to them about how we all work certain jobs to keep our country strong.
Just like we all work together as a family doing different chores and support each other so the home runs smoothly, American workers do this on a larger scale – so Labor Day really is a celebration of American strength and freedom.
Hard work, patriotism, and food!
It’s a great time to make some patriotic crafts to decorate the house or backyard for that Labor Day cookout you have planned.
Purchase some small flags at the dollar store and decorate the yard.
Or give the kids a few rolls of red, white, and blue crepe paper to drape in the trees or on porch railings.
With a star-shaped cookie cutter, older kids can make garlands out of construction paper, or strips of paper can be cut out and made into paper chains.
(These also make great “calendars” for small children. Are there any milestones coming up in the next few months at school? A birthday? Count the number of days until a significant event and make a star or chain link for each day, removing one per day until the big day comes!)
And don’t forget to get the kids involved in your annual cookout!
Buy a white paper tablecloth at the party store and let the kids color patriotic designs. Or cut a star shape out of a sponge and have them stamp stars on the tablecloth with red and blue paint.
Let them use their imaginations and any craft supplies you have on hand to make table decorations like centerpieces, napkin rings, or place cards.
Kids always love to help prepare the meal or make dessert.
Get them involved by shucking corn on the cob (yes, it’s messy but fun!), helping to toss a salad, or mixing up and decorating a batch of cupcakes.
Older kids can use wooden skewers to make patriotic fruit kabobs out of chunks of watermelon, strawberries, and blackberries.
Or put some fresh berries in the bottom of ice pop molds, pour in their favorite juice and freeze for a cool treat as you celebrate the last hot days of summer.
What do I want to be when I grow up?
Since it is the beginning of a new school year, Labor Day is a good time to talk to the kids about what they are interested in learning this year — and that age-old question, what do they want to be when they grow up?
Talking about their interests and all the different jobs that may be available to them someday are always great topics of conversation, especially on this day dedicated to the American worker.
You can make a great keepsake for your kids with a new Labor Day tradition.
Purchase a bound sketch pad or large journal at your local craft store and help each child make a “career book.”
Each year on Labor Day, ask them what subjects they think will be their favorite this school year.
Have them draw pictures of what their “career choice” is at that given time. Do they want to be an astronaut? A doctor? An artist?
Older kids can write a few sentences about what they think they will be doing in the future and they can cut out pictures from magazines to go along with their drawings.
This book will be a cherished keepsake to remind them of what they were interested in each year and a reflection of their imagination.
Wouldn’t it be something if they someday have a career that they decided on in kindergarten?
Community Helpers…
Many schools do units on “community helpers” because they are so interesting to kids. Who doesn’t love learning about what firefighters or police officers do, or doctors or veterinarians?
Kids are fascinated by what adults do. Discuss your career with your kids. What got you interested in the job that you chose? Did you think you’d be in that field when you were their age?
There are many printables online about jobs and community helpers. Print out some coloring sheets of their favorite workers, or make a firefighter’s or construction worker’s hat, a police badge, or other fun crafts about your child’s “dream” job.
Fill an old bag with envelopes or old catalogs and let your child “deliver the mail” or take out their toy doctor’s kit and let them give their stuffed animals a “check-up” if they think they’d like to be a vet.
This is also a great time to continue your discussion on how we all work together to make America strong by looking at pictures and talking about our armed forces.
Is there a military member in your family? Look at photos and have them “interview” that person to ask why they decided to fight for our nation.
Another special tradition kids can take part in is writing “thank you” letters to people in your community who help get things done!
Kids can make a card for the mail carrier and stick it in the mailbox. Or draw a picture and make a batch of cookies to deliver to your local fire station.
And, of course, since school is getting underway, a thank you to their teacher will be much appreciated.
These little tokens of appreciation will put a smile on the face of anyone working in the community that you or your child interact with – and will teach your kids how important each person’s work is to make our nation run smoothly.
Remember, holidays are a time to make memories and establish traditions that your kids will cherish.
Use our suggestions or make up some fun ideas of your own!
Mommy Underground wishes you a safe and happy Labor Day and a smooth transition from summer to school year!
(h/t Mommy Underground)