As August turns into September, we have more than fall leaves and pumpkin spice to look forward to! Labor Day Weekend is quickly approaching and this federal holiday means a three-day weekend to spend with family and friends. As many kids have returned to school and are looking forward to this extra little break before they really dive into the year, today’s blog post is created to share 6 kid-friendly activities for the long weekend that your little ones will be sure to love!

Labor Day Idea #1: Family Barbecue

Get the grill going and invite some family and friends over for a classic end-of-summer barbecue! This is a great way to enjoy the last bit of warm weather while spending time with those you love. (Trust me, a holiday barbecue is always a great idea.)

Many families will invite friends, neighbors, and family members to spend labor day with them, and this is a great time for everyone to relax, enjoy the unofficial end of the summer, and embrace the new school year. Be sure to have plenty of burgers, hot dogs, and sides on hand to keep everyone happy!

If you are looking for a delicious barbecue recipe to try, we have a yummy red, white, and blue yogurt bark recipe on our Instagram. Click here to watch our video tutorials and learn more about the necessary ingredients!

Labor Day Idea #2: Camp Out in the Backyard

If you’re looking for a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy, try camping out in your backyard! This activity is a great way to get everyone in your family involved. From setting up the tent, gathering firewood, and making s’mores – there is a role for everyone in your family to play. (Plus, you don’t have to go far if anyone gets scared in the middle of the night!)

If there is stormy weather the night of the backyard camping trip, try having an indoor campsite. Set up a tent in a large space like a living room or family room, use sleeping bags, and make marshmallow s'mores with a microwave or an unscented candle.

If you have a blank wall, you can make your at-home camping night extra special by using a projector to stream a movie. We found an affordable mini-projector that connects to a cell phone and allows you to easily stream a movie onto a blank wall or white sheet. Your children will be sure to love this extra touch to their camping night, and it can become a holiday or labor day tradition to celebrate with at-home camping and movie nights.

Labor Day Idea #3: Go on a Nature Walk

If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, take a nature walk! This is a great way to get some exercise while also enjoying the outdoors. Be sure to bring a camera or binoculars to look for birds, animals, and other interesting things!

In a previous blog post, we shared more details on planning a nature walk for children.

"Spending time in nature is one of the best ways to appreciate all that the earth has to offer. As a fun way to celebrate Earth Day, consider taking a trip to your nearest park and going for a hike, having a picnic, or just exploring for your Earth Day activities! This is also a great opportunity to teach your kids about the environment through different types of plants and animal habitats.

Walking around the park is the perfect opportunity to take your children on a nature walk. Take note of the different types of trees, flowering plants, and shrubs. If any animals are spotted on your nature walk, write down descriptions of them in a composition notebook and encourage your child to draw a picture that represents the spotted creature. 

While you’re on your nature walk, take some time to press flowers or leaves! Be mindful to only collect flowers or leaves from public property and to not damage any foliage in the process. 

Once you’re able to collect flowers and leaves, bring your newfound treasures home since these recent outdoor finds provide the perfect opportunity to share a nature-themed craft."

It does not have to be Earth Day to enjoy the great outdoors and Labor Day Weekend is a perfect occasion for your children to enjoy going outside!

If you took your child on an Earth Day nature walk and are interested in making their outdoor excursion a little bit different, try going on a bike ride instead. Your kids will still be able to appreciate nature, but instead of walking, they will be pedaling around on their little bikes.

Labor Day Idea #4: Have a Picnic

Another great outdoor activity is having a picnic! This is a perfect way to spend time together as a family while also enjoying the beautiful weather. Be sure to pack plenty of food and drinks, as well as some games or activities to keep everyone entertained.

If there is a local labor day parade, having a picnic before or after the parade is an easy way to enjoy a typical Labor Day activity.

We have a great blog post that shares our ultimate picnic tips to make it a success!

Along with watching the parade, you can bring along labor day games to keep your kids occupied. Cornhole is a classic game that families love to play! We just shared an inexpensive and portable Cornhole set that is easy to bring along to any family event. You could also bring along additional outdoor games like Spikeball or Kan Jam that are fun for children of all ages and adults too!

Labor Day Idea #5: Bake Cookies

Not every labor day activity needs to be super holiday themed! What makes a holiday weekend special is spending time with the ones you love. We know that not everyone is uber-festive, so a great activity to share with your kids is baking a delicious cookie recipe.

A Name Bubbles staff member, Elizabeth, tried this delicious Crumbl Cookie Lemon Recipe and she has given it her seal of approval!

For a video tutorial on these cookies, check out our Instagram Reel here.

For the full recipe, here are the steps that Elizabeth used.

Labor Day Idea #6: Go to the Beach or Pool

If you’re looking for a way to cool off, go to the beach or pool! This is a great way to enjoy the last of the summer weather while also spending time together as a family. 

Labor Day is also the last opportunity to enjoy most outdoor pools before they close for the upcoming autumnal season! If you choose to spend the day at the beach or pool, be sure to bring along plenty of sunscreen and swim towels.

Happy Labor Day!

We hope you enjoyed these 6 kid-friendly activities for the Labor Day weekend! Be sure to try one (or all!) of these ideas with your family and friends. Have a great weekend!

For more fun family content, check out our other blog posts here and our Instagram here.