Soak Up the Last Moments of Summer with These Labor Day Activities
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Labor Day is upon us, and don't let the last long weekend of summer pass you by without marking the occasion. Whether you're looking for something to do near you or are ready for a road trip, we have plenty of ideas for you to consider. Feel like cooking? Call up the neighbors and pull out your best grilling recipes and easy summer desserts, then plan on some fun outdoor games suitable for all ages. But if you've had a long, hot summer, it might sound good to curl up with a good book or movie marathon in the comfort of the air conditioning. No judgment here!
If you'd prefer to skip the staycation, head out of town on a road trip to explore a charming small town or National Park you've never seen before. Really, the possibilities are endless—which is why we've done all the, well, labor and come up with a ton of family-friendly ideas for a day well spent.
Make a Sporty Centerpiece
If it's going to be all football, all the time at your house for the next few months, embrace the season with a beautiful centerpiece made from a vintage football helmet. To keep it steady, wrap a 3-inch embroidery hoop with jute ribbon, and center the helmet upside-down in it. Fill a glass with water, and place in the helmet. Add flowers to vase (here, butterfly ranunculus, chamomile, and black-eyed Susans).
Host a Tailgate
Football season has finally arrived! There are college games all weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday), so there is something for everyone to watch. Pull out your finest game day attire, and host your friends for a watch party.
Related: Best Tailgate Recipe Ideas
Rent a Pool
No pool? No problem. Swimply is an Airbnb-type service that allows you to find and rent pools near you by the hour.
Plan a Glamping Trip
Are you outdoorsy but maybe not that outdoorsy? Glamping is the perfect solution! Many glamping tents have air-conditioning and even indoor plumbing, so you're getting closer to nature without giving up all the comforts.
Related: Best Glamping Destinations in the U.S.
Take a Road Trip
The three-day weekend is the perfect time to drive somewhere new. Get kids involved by having them help plan out the route on a map, and deciding which sights to see while you're there. If you need ideas, check out this list of road trip stops in every state.
Set Up the Sprinkler
Little kids love running through a sprinkler for a good reason. This Labor Day, channel your inner child and join them for a run through or two and just try to keep that delighted smile off your face.
SHOP SPRINKLERS
Hit the Shops
Labor Day sales are a great time to stock up on back-to-school essentials, kids' clothing, and cold-weather wardrobe staples for fall. See our list of shops that are open on the holiday.
Go on a Bike Ride
If you've been meaning to hit the trails on two wheels but haven't yet this summer, now's the time to go on a bike ride. If you don't have wheels for the whole family, research local bike companies who often offer rentals as well as maps and suggested routes to explore.
Decorate Your Front Porch for Fall
A long weekend at home offers the chance to decorate your front porch for fall. Whether you prefer pumpkins, wreaths, or garlands, we've got fall porch decorating ideas sure to make your house the most festive, fall-friendly one on the block.
Turn Your Backyard into a Movie Theater
Wait until the cool of the late afternoon when the lighting is just right and set up an outdoor movie theater. Add cozy seating on your lawn with floor cushions and blankets. If you want to go all out pack a basket with popcorn and milk duds and string up light for extra ambience.
Play Cornhole
Spend Labor Day the way our forefathers would have wanted—tossing beanbags into tiny holes via a homemade cornhole board, or purchase this American flag-themed set. Or, DIY several lawn games for a backyard-style Olympics.
Play Cornhole
amazon.com
$299.00
Organize a Cookout
Did you know that gadgets and appliances are also usually on sale around Labor Day? Now you have the perfect excuse to buy a classic Weber charcoal grill. You need it for the holiday barbecue.
Organize a Cookout
amazon.com
$109.00
AmazonUpgrade Your Happy Hour
Toast summer goodbye with a bubbly blend of sparkling rosé, mashed raspberries, and a variety of other refreshing summer cocktails.
Go for a Dip in a Swimming Hole
Sometimes it's nice to commune with nature—especially when you're trying to forget the demands of the office for a bit. There's no better way to do that than with a dip in a natural swimming hole—and lucky for you, they're located all over the United States.
Make Your Own Ice Cream
Teach little ones the concept of hard work and delicious rewards with a homemade ice cream session this Labor Day.
Make Your Own Ice Cream
amazon.com
$54.65
Experience a Drive-In Movie
When you find a drive-in movie theater near you, and the family is enjoying popcorn and soda from the safety and comfort of the car, you'll forget all about your Netflix account.
Tackle a House Project
An extra day off work means you can finally get to those house projects you've been putting off all summer. Easy day-jobs include painting a room, organizing your closet, or these easy kitchen updates.
Test a New Pizza Recipe
Options abound when it comes to pizza. You could make pizza dough from scratch or buy a premade one; go for a super-thick crust or a nice and crispy one, and add one or two ingredients of your choosing.
Jump Off the High Dive
Depending on where you live, the community pool is probably going to close some time shortly after Labor Day, so suit up and hit the high dive because it'll be a while before you can show off that world-famous cannonball again.
Organize Your Own Labor Day Parade
Labor Day parades are such a teachable moment for kids. You can demonstrate the best waving technique, a catch-and-release strategy on candy (never dive for a Tootsie Roll), and ideal positioning for easily getting out of the area once the parade is over.
Throw a Hot Dog Cookout
You don't get more American than hot dogs, friends. Serve up a side of beans cooked up in a U.S.-made cast-iron skillet, and you've got the perfect dinner menu for Labor Day.
Root for Your Favorite Baseball Team
What better way to celebrate an all-American holiday than by watching a baseball game? Head to your local ball park, or host a watch party at home and snack on hot dogs, peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and beer.
Set Up Camp in the Backyard
Take advantage of that no-school, no-work Monday with a Sunday-night sleepover under the stars. Sure, you could go to a campground, but why do that when you can "rough it" and still enjoy the comforts of home (hello kitchen, hello bathrooms!) when necessary. Check out these easy campfire recipes to make your menu!
SHOP TENTS
Read a Book
There are some who will scoff at the notion that reading a book is a good way to spend Labor Day. Those people are wrong. There's nothing more satisfying than sitting outside and enjoying a great book in the company of other book lovers.
Host an Ice-Cream Social
Kids and adults alike will line up to make soda and scoop pairings like cola and cherry ice cream, root beer and vanilla ice cream, ginger beer with lemon sorbet, or really any combo you can imagine!
Fire Up Some Labor Day S'Mores
Don't be afraid to put your own spin on the traditional s'more! These massive s'mores are made with a variety of cookies (Chips Ahoy!, chocolate wafer cookies, and graham crackers), lots of chocolate, fruit (that makes them healthy, right?), and of course, marshmallows.
Set Up a Pretty Backyard Picnic
Make the most of your own backyard with an easy picnic setup. The best part about being that close to your house is that you can bring out some of your prettier pieces without fear of them getting broken in transit.
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