Planning Labor Day Activities is not for the feint at heart.  As Labor Day is often referred to as the last “Hurrah” of summer, many feel pressure to make this long weekend memorable. Most schools are back in session, kids are back in college, and the summer mentality is slowly fading as everyone is settling back into a routine. Labor Day is the perfect opportunity to plan the final summer-esque getaway and still have the warm weather to literally go anywhere and do anything.

Get that warm fuzzy feeling with these Labor Day Activities to get you through the inevitable chill that soon will follow. The bonus is that you’ll enjoy a long weekend together with family before the real crazy of school, work and the holidays ensues.

Camping

What kid doesn’t love camping?  Camping is the greatest Labor Day Activity I can think of as kids get to totally let loose and run around, get dirty, climb trees, build fires and test their survival skills. For parents, it’s always great to be a kid again and show off your infinite knowledge of the backcountry.

Pick a private spot in BLM or the National Forest, pack food that can be cooked over a fire and absolutely don’t forget the ingredients for S’Mores.  Sit out after dark and tell ghost stories or simply star gaze under the beautiful night sky.  Sometimes, actually most of the time, it’s the simplest vacations that leave the most lasting impression.

Whitewater Rafting

One of our favorite trips we’ve ever taken as a family is a two-night rafting trip.  This trip was an opportunity to be completely off-grid and really reconnect as a family while having a great, adrenaline-packed, time.  We have since made it an annual trip, which is why I think it is the utmost Labor Day Activity.  Now, we own our own raft, and are skilled in navigating the river, but, rest-assured, that’s not a requirement.  

Many companies offer guided tours for one or two nights down popular stretches of water as well as raft rentals. Grab the kids, the Aunts and Uncles, the cousins and give yourselves the gift of a wild whitewater rafting Labor Day Weekend Trip!  Be sure to book in advance as I’m surely not the only one with this out of the box Labor Day Activity idea.

The Beach

If it’s in the budget, what says summer more than the beach?  And what better way to say goodbye to our shortest season than a long weekend basking in salt water therapy?  To maximize time on the beach, either camp or rent a house or hotel room that is right on the beach and spend a few days, playing frisbee, boogie boarding, surfing, and building sand castles with the kids.  You’ll return home tanned and refreshed ready to take on your daily tasks throughout the fall, which means this is a great Labor Day Activity for all.

Staycation with a Twist

If the idea of packing and driving and/or flying has you exhausted already, why not take a staycation? Pick a place relatively close to home and book a hotel room for Saturday and Sunday and find some fun activities for the whole family to participate in.  Ideas include water parks, hiking, amusement parks, children’s museum, zoo, aquarium, or even the hotel pool.  

The idea here is to keep it simple and fun with little to no planning.  Keep an open mind and stay flexible and this Labor Day Activity could become an annual event.

Night Hike

I know it sounds crazy, but my kids do this at least once per week all summer.  Summer temps can be scorching, which makes hiking difficult and really not much fun.  Heading out at night beats both the crowds and the heat.  Plus it gives you a totally different perspective and allows you to enjoy the gorgeous night sky!!

Grab the family, the flashlights, the hydration packs and get in touch with your adventurous side.  I love climbing high up a mountain and taking in the light glow of the mountain towns in our area!  You could do a different hike Friday, Saturday and Sunday to make it one of the most authentic Labor Day Activities.

Host a Backyard BBQ

Nothing more American than the good ole backyard BBQ.  Invite your neighborhood friends, family and a bunch of your kids’ friends and host a party.  To make it super easy, have each guest bring a side dish or dessert and set up tables and chairs for guests to relax and eat.

Set up cornhole, bocce ball, croquet, and other games for everyone to enjoy, stock a cooler with drinks, play today’s hits on a Bluetooth speaker and throw down.  A dance floor can add to the fun … just saying, it’s not out of the question to get a little wild during a Labor Day Activity!

Read

I already know what you are thinking, but you can read even with kids.  Set the kids up with a Slip-N-Slide or head to a park and let them wreak havoc on the playground while you kick back and relax under a tree with an ice cold cup of tea and a great book.  Some ideas for you … The Woman in Cabin 10, What Alice Forgot, Gone Girl, Its Not Ok … I’m not gonna lie, this sounds like one of the most heavenly Labor Day Activities to me!

Pool Party

I still remember our Labor Day Pool Parties from when I was a kid.  They were so awesome.  We would get to the pool early, claim all the lounge chairs, eat junk food and drink soda from the vending machine all day.  And then, when our parents arrived in the early evening, we would eat fried chicken, pickled beets and ice cream for dinner. And then we would crash hard at 9 pm … another winning idea that involves fun and sleep.

You know, most pools close their doors for the summer on Labor Day, so it’s a fitting end to all memorable summers and one of the all-time great Labor Day Activities.

Eat Out A Ton!

One idea I have, that I would love to try, is to simply eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for the weekend.  I find it appealing because there are so many restaurants I want to try, but still always end up at the same two or three on the rare times we go out to eat.  This idea gives me the opportunity to try at least 6 local restaurants, including my faves.

It’s also appealing because … no dishes and no clean-up.  I think I’ll run this by my husband … it’s like a staycation at home, but with no effort, except a mandatory shower.  This could turn into one of the most winning Labor Day Activities for sure.