School may already be in session or just about ready to begin, but for kids and adults, Labor Day signals the unofficial end to summer. While many families pack up and head out for one final three-day weekend of summer fun, others choose to stay close to home. Just because you decide to have a laid back Labor Day doesn’t mean you and the kids have to be bored. If you’re looking for fun activities for the family on Labor Day, there are plenty of ways to relax and enjoy a day off before September school, sports, and extracurriculars amp up. Here are a few family-friendly suggestions about what to do on Labor Day.
Go to a local parade
Many towns across the country host a Labor Day parade to honor the origins of Labor Day. The federal holiday was created to celebrate the nation’s workforce.
See a movie
Blockbuster movies traditionally aren’t released on Labor Day weekend, but a day off from work and school is earmarked for a matinee and a bucket of movie theater popcorn. See what’s playing at your local movie theater.
Take a hike
Lace up your sneakers and take a hike. There are always plenty of kid-friendly hiking trails within driving distance to explore. Whenever you take kids hiking, make sure to pack plenty of snacks and water.
Head to a national park
With 400 plus national parks and monuments across the United States, every state has a least one national park and probably more. Check out a national park in your state. To find one, visit the National Parks website. Labor Day is a federal holiday and national parks are run by the National Parks Service. Some like Gateway National Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey are open on Labor Day. Be sure to check the national park you’re heading to is open on Labor Day.
Paddle a kayak
An afternoon in a kayak is a fun way to spend Labor Day. When kayaking with kids, an hour rental is usually enough. If you decide to go longer, come prepared with a picnic lunch to enjoy along the way.
Picnic in the park
Bring the teddy bears and the blanket for a relaxing picnic in a nearby park. If you prefer, have the picnic in your backyard.
Have a family BBQ
With school and work a day away, you might not want to host a big barbecue. Instead, have a small one with just the immediate family. Plan on playing backyard classics like cornhole and ring toss.
Pool day
If you have a backyard pool, a lazy holiday afternoon by the pool is in order. If not, check out a community pool in your area and spend the day.
Ride a bike path
Load up the bikes, pack a lunch, and take a ride on a bike path. Make sure the bike path is paved and kid-friendly before bringing little ones. If there aren’t any nearby bike paths or you don’t have a rack for the car, a family bike ride around the neighborhood is cool too. Even better is a bike ride to the local ice cream shop.
Backyard campout
If you’ve always wanted to have a campout, but not having a nearby bathroom or a fear of Yogi’s buddies stopping by has kept you from giving camping a try, have one in your backyard. Plan to sleep under the stars and wake up on Labor Day morning in a cozy tent. With your own home just steps away, you can answer the call of nature without worrying about poison ivy. Even though it’s your backyard, you can still experience the thrill of sleeping outside in a tent.
Visit a museum
Spending Labor Day exploring a museum is a different way to spend the holiday. Art, history, and science museums make for a family-friendly day out.
Mini-golf
Get in one last round of mini-golf before the weekend schedule is packed with sports and other activities. Tweens and teens might enjoy a trip to the driving range instead.
Check the local calendar
Before heading out for a family Labor Day outing, check and see what’s going on in and around your neighborhood. If you live in a city, chances are there are festivals, fairs, and other exciting community events going on nearby. You also don’t have to live in a city for Labor Day events to be held. Head online and see what’s going on in your area for Labor Day. You just might be surprised at the amount of activities you find.
Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. It was born out of the labor movement in the 19th century. Labor Day means different things to everyone. For many teachers and students, it means the school year is about to start. Most people have come to think of Labor Day as the unofficial end of summer even though fall doesn’t begin until September 22. Regardless of what you feel about Labor Day, it is a day off of work and school, which means it is perfect for family-friendly activities. If you are looking for something to do on Labor Day with your kids, you are certain to get inspired with our list.
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