Genius Creative Ideas for an End-of-Summer Birthday Party

Late summer can be one of the worst times of the year for your kids. Not only does it include some of the hottest days of the year, but school also starts for them and leaves them feeling drained by the time they come home. However, just because it’s late into the season doesn’t mean you have to move straight into fall. There are plenty of hot, summer days ahead to make your child’s end-of-summer birthday party special. If you’ve been putting off planning your kid’s birthday bash until the last second—it happens—consider some of these creative ideas for an end-of-summer birthday party for procrastinators and of course, Slacker Moms.

Spark Their Creativity With a Hands-On Project

Sometimes the best birthday party is one where kids can just be kids—a fun get-together where they can make messes, eat cake, and run around. Find a DIY project that everyone can do—even you—and give everyone the materials they need to participate. Make T-shirts, create kites, and allow children to draw their own birthday posters for the birthday star. Let them play with glitter, markers, fingerpaints, and stickers—basically, give them an entire day where you say yes to the mess.

Yeah, you might regret it afterward when you’re cleaning up. But on the bright side, you’ll make your child’s day, so the tradeoff is worth it (probably).

Pro Tip: For added creativity, have partygoers compete for the best cake design before the day of the party. Let your child pick their favorite design—or have everyone vote on the best one!

Fun in the Sun

If you’re not prepared for the chaos and that messy materials have to offer, maybe it’s best if you just keep the party outside. Not every summer day is as hot as a mid-summer heatwave—some summer days are beautiful! Come up with some exciting outdoor activities, like scavenger hunts and competitive games or sports. Theme some of your child’s presents with cute summer-related gifts and hand out summery goody bags and prizes for everyone else who attends.

You might even consider concocting tasty, non-alcoholic summer drinks for the kids, like blue lemonade or frozen non-alcoholic margaritas with sugar around the rim of the glass. If you have adults attending the party, consider mixing some more mature beverages to be a good host—with all the children running around, your adult acquaintances will appreciate the thought.

End of Summer Birthday Party Idea: Late-Night Bonfire and Stargazing

Older children are more difficult to have birthday parties for—how do you plan a party for a child who doesn’t share their interests with you anymore, anyway? You really need to think of creative ideas for a late summer birthday party when it comes to teenagers. What do teenagers enjoy? Staying up late. What makes staying up late even better? Friends.

Allow your child to have their own small get-together for a late-night hangout. Let everyone make s’mores around a bonfire, watch some stars, and swat off mosquitoes for the authentic late-summer aesthetic. Trust them to make good decisions with light supervision, and they’ll have a newfound respect for you as their parents—they might even let you in on some of the gossip or the treats you buy for them and their friends.

In the end, end of summer birthday parties don’t have to be extravagant or complicated. Think about what kids want most–presents, cake, and friends. Most kids will be thrilled with a store-bought cake and a bunch of friends running around outdoors. Take some time to sit and watch with the other parents and know that you’re making memories!