How to host an end-of-summer party or back-to-school bash

Late summer has a very distinct feel to it. There’s still so much glorious sunshine during those last long days to soak up and enjoy with family and friends. Yet, it’s balanced by thoughts of busy back-to-school time and cooler fall weather right around the corner. One way to celebrate the end of summer—to embrace, rather than bemoan the seasonal shift—is to throw an amazing party.

Kids will love one last hurrah with all their friends, and parents will enjoy marking a shift in focus, which helps everyone transition. The summer party classics, such as pool parties, picnics and barbecues, are all perfect for the occasion. And every party planner knows it’s more fun when you have a theme for inspiring creative invitations, decorations, food, and party games. Check out these super-fun end-of-summer party themes to spark ideas for your own celebration.

For more family-friendly summer party ideas, read our best Summer Party Tips and Tricks.

Smarty pants picnic

Plan a “smarty pants”-themed picnic in a public park, local beach, or beauty spot, or even your backyard. This theme nods to back-to-school time for the kids, while taking advantage of late summer’s lovely weather. Have blankets strewn out all over the lawn and coolers filled with cold drinks. Give out party favors of brown paper lunch bags filled with classic back-to-school supplies: big pink erasers, No. 2 pencils, crayons, glue, and classic composition books. Tuck some Smarties candies inside the bag, and clip a card that says “have a great school year, smartie pants!” to the front.

Use your noodle pool party

A pool party is a no-brainer for making the most of the late-summer sunshine. Among the more creative ideas for the end of summer is a “use your noodle” pool party. Give every guest at the party pool noodles, and put a big sign up above the pool that says, “This school year, don’t forget to use your noodle!” Create decorations using more noodles, slicing them and stringing them together as garlands.

For snacks, set out bagels or donuts to look like lifesaver rafts, plus mini buckets of Twizzlers or other candy that looks like pool noodles. Kids will love using their pool noodles with abandon before they have to use their actual noodles to focus every day of the week come fall.

End-of-summer sundae bar

A DIY sundae bar is a sure hit that can go with any backyard summer party themes, or serve as the theme of the party itself. Decorate with ice cream motifs and send out Ice Cream Party invitations. For the sundae bar, gather all the different ice cream toppings (candies, sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts, and more), sauces, whipped cream, cups, and cones you can find. Don’t forget scoops and spoons, too. Oh, and several flavors of ice cream. Keep the ice cream in the freezer until it’s time to invite guests to create their sundaes, then transfer them to ice buckets or coolers full of ice.

Back-to-school boogie-down

If your impromptu gatherings with other families and friends always seem to end with a mini disco party, then choose a disco, techno, or other dance party theme. Go all out and host a party that’s all about boogieing down! Rent a disco ball and colored lights, and maybe even a fog machine and dance floor. Create a playlist of danceable hits, crank up the music and let the kids get their groove on.

“Bye bye summer” beach bash

One of the more quirky end-of-summer party ideas is a goodbye party for summer, ideally at a beach. Treat the season like it’s a dear friend who is leaving for a while (well, until next June) and turn a beach party into an affectionate send-off. Choose beachy invitations like Tropical Party by Casey D. Sibley and ask your party guests to brainstorm ways to say goodbye to summer. You might give sunset speeches about all the things you love about summer, what you’ll miss the most, and how you can’t wait to meet again.

“Life is a carnival” block party

A carnival theme is always a fun choice for a party, and it’s perfect for a neighborhood block party to celebrate the end of summer. If you’re friendly with your neighbors, get together and plan for carnival-style decorations and games, plus tables of pot-luck food and drink contributions. Consider renting a popcorn machine, or inviting a food truck to cater your block party. Games could include bean bag toss/cornhole, ring toss, a duck pond with fishing rods, and a knock-down bottle tower. Mixbook’s Ticket Invitation is a great choice for a carnival-themed party.

High IQ BBQ

Host a “High IQ BBQ” to get everyone thinking fast before school starts. Send out Mixbook’s Chalked Gingham invitation, summoning guests to come wearing their favorite cowboy-nerd costume. Kids will love embracing the idea of a brainy buckaroo. Then set up a quiz or scavenger hunt to go with the theme. The barbecue will let you enjoy one last summer celebration, while the IQ theme will help little cowhands transition back into the idea of school.

Sno-cone and frozen cocktail party

Offer creative frozen cocktails for adults and custom sno-cones for everyone, and your end-of-summer party is sure to be a big success. Sno-cone machines are available for rent, and quickly provide piles of the necessary shaved ice for both kinds of cold treats. You just need flavored syrups, cones or cups, spoons, and your preferred frozen cocktail ingredients. Provide an array of party foods, blast a summery playlist, and embrace the simple pleasure of a frosty beverage in the late-summer heat.

Backyard burger showdown

Is there anything more summery than a sizzling burger on a grill? Not only are BBQ’d burgers a delicious party food fit for a crowd, they can also be the theme of a fun party with friends, family, and neighbors of all ages. Customize the Grill & Chill invitations to challenge your guests to a “burger showdown.” They can bring their best homemade burgers and fixings, and everyone can enjoy a taste of each other’s creations.

BYO bubbles and water balloons

Few things delight small children like bubbles and water balloons, so why not make that the theme for your end-of-summer party? Stock up on bubble mix and every kind of bubble-maker or wand you can find. Look for bubble machines, giant bubble kits, bubble guns, and classic bubble bottles of all sizes. Decorate with regular or helium balloons, and schedule a water balloon fight, or set up water balloon targets. Sprinklers and kiddie pools are a smart addition to your party setup.

Don’t forget invitations, and be sure to tell guests to wear their swimsuits and bring towels. We love the customizable Balloon Party by Dan Hamilton and Color Dots by Maureen Clay invitations for this party idea.

Tie-dye party

Kids and adults can get messy and creative, and leave your party with a fun shirt, if you choose a tie-dye party theme for your end-of-summer bash. Purchase a tie-dye kit (or a few) and brush up on the instructions and techniques. Either supply plain white T-shirts in various sizes, or ask guests to bring their own plain, light-colored shirt to tie-dye. You could also use other items like plain kitchen towels, tote bags, or pillow cases. Send out the fittingly colorful Painted Rainbow by Casey Byrnes invitations.

Backyard end-of-summer campout

In most regions, the end of summer is also the end of prime camping season, so why not enjoy one final “campout” as a party theme. This can be a great backyard party idea, or you might even rent a group campground just for the occasion. Set up a tent with pillows and blankets for kids to play in, plus lots of camp chairs. Have a campfire, if it’s an option, or alternatively a fire pit to sit around and share stories as the sun goes down. If any of your guests play guitar, invite them to play some tunes. S’mores and hot dogs are a must.

Ready to design invitations for your end–of-summer party?

It’s always a little bittersweet to say goodbye to summer, but a party turns it into a celebration.

Sending out invitations is the key step that gets your party going, and it’s really fun to design your own to match your end-of-summer party theme. Browse Mixbook’s many awesome invitations, or start with Blank Canvas invitations for a totally custom approach.

Celebrating a summer birthday? Check out these Four Fun Summer Birthday Party Ideas for Kids.