Celebrate the End of School with a Picnic & Games

Nothing thrills school-aged children like the end of another year of school! Those nine months of school seem so long to most kids, so when May or June arrives, they breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to the carefree summer months. With a bit of planning and preparation a fun and organized day can be had by all.

A Day of School Fun!

Many elementary and middle schools celebrate the end of the school year with an all-school picnic. Normally, they supply burgers or hot dogs, potato chips, and perhaps popsicles for dessert. And of course there's always plenty of games and activities for the children It’s a real treat for the children and is a great excuse to get outside and enjoy the warm spring weather.

But if your school doesn’t have a year-end picnic, why not organize one yourself and include your child’s favorite classmates or anyone else who’s gratefully celebrating the end of classes? A picnic lunch is easy to organize, especially if several moms band together to plan it, and it’s an excellent way for the kids to spend some time together and say good-bye to each other before they go their separate ways for the summer.

Where to Go?

The size of your school picnic will have an impact on the location you choose. If this event is for a whole class of children – that is, about 20 or more – it’s a good idea to consider taking it to a local park, State Park, National Park or other similar venue. This takes the pressure off one particular parent who may feel an obligation to host because they have a large backyard that can accommodate a sizeable number of guests. Using a park as the venue means preparation and clean-up can be shared by all the parents involved.

That said, you’ll want to make sure to reserve a picnic grove or other spot by contacting the manager of the park so that you’re not disappointed when you arrive. Many parks, regardless of size, charge a fee for this service, though it’s usually quite modest. In some cases, you can just show up and take your chances.

Park picnic tables aren’t always the cleanest, so bring along some vinyl tablecloths to cover them. Or, you can bring a few picnic blankets for those who’d rather spread out on the grass. While you’re at it, perhaps you can assign a few moms to bring along some decorations, maybe beach-themed or anything else that will remind the kids what’s ahead in the upcoming summer season.

Getting Organized?

If there are several families involved in the planning of this end-of-school picnic, divide the responsibilities evenly between everyone so that all the work and expense doesn’t fall on one or two families in particular. Make a list of things you’ll need, including picnic supplies, food, and other necessities, and allow each mom to pick an item or two. These might include: