Throw a Fabulous Goodbye Summer Party

While parents will certainly miss the carefree days of summer, it’s the kids that truly have to say “goodbye” to head back to school! Before the calendar becomes full of homework, sporting events, and after-school activities, gather together your kids and friends for an end of summer party featuring all things “summery”! I chose a vibrant color – orange – for my “End of Summer Crab Bash” – full of all things beachy.

What I love about a beach-themed party is that you can incorporate the beach theme no matter where you live. For the centerpiece, I picked up sand at a pet store in the fish section, but you can also find sand at craft and hardware stores. Fill a large vase or open dish with the sand. Decorate with shells from your summer beach trips (or pick up some at a craft store). Add in a cute “End of Summer Party” sign (glue to a skewer and add ribbon) and fish toys. I picked up these fish mazes at a dollar store. They made the perfect centerpiece decoration and doubled as a cute (and inexpensive!) favor for the kids.

Set each place setting with a fun lunch bucket that the kids can grab and go to eat by the pool, in the yard, etc. Keeping with the theme, Goldfish were the perfect snack! Mini “crab bash” signs on toothpicks stuck down in each sandwich. Make them yourself on a Word document, print, punch with a hole or simply cut. Adhere with glue to a toothpick and go!

Scatter little candy jars around the table for a sweet treat! Swedish Fish and orange candies were the perfect fit for our beach-themed bash! Use large shells to hold extra snacks (like Goldfish).

Gather some simple coordinating gift bags (check dollar stores and craft stores) for the kids to take home their favors, extra lunch, and sweet treats! Everyone loves having a little goodie to take home, and it doesn’t have to be expensive!

To recap, here are my top tips for throwing a fabulous goodbye summer party! You’ll be celebrating the end of the summer in style, and your kids will love it!