The end-of-school rush has always been a thrill. In elementary, middle, and especially high school, students anxiously count down the months, days, minutes, and the final few seconds of each school year. No more teachers, no more books, and no more homework. As a kid, the second your summer began, your backpack was tossed to the back of your closet, and you immediately dug out your swim suit, sidewalk chalk, and mismatched flip flops. It seems like the older I get, the less active my summers become. Running through the sprinklers turned into sitting on the couch watching Netflix. Getting up early for cereal and Saturday morning cartoons turned into sleeping in until noon... or later.
It's time to channel some of that inner 90's or early 2000's kid and break out the Slip n' Slide, fill up some water balloons, and host a throwback summer party.
1. Hose Down the Slip n' Slide
If you were ever a kid in the middle of suburbia, chances are you've run into a situation with a Slip n' Slide. The new neighbor kid invited you over. Your cousin got the cool, newest version with the blow up boogie boards and built-in sprinklers. The annual block party went a little crazy with the backyard activities. Etc. So pull the Slip n' Slide out of your basement, blow the dust off, and get ready for some classic summer fun.
2. Break Out the Water Balloons
Remember when you and your siblings ambushed your dad with water balloons while he was cutting the grass? Maybe he played along. Or maybe he wasn't happy at all. Either way, you had a blast- even though it took an hour or two filling up the balloons. Now you can invest in some Bunch O Balloons to shave a few hours off the party prep and bring back the timeless water balloon battles. Maybe you could even invite dear ol' dad.
3. Dig Out the Sidewalk Chalk
As kids, my sister and I would pass hours under the sun drawing with sidewalk chalk. We did everything from tracing each other's outlines to making up our own versions of hopscotch. We even dyed part of our garage floor pink one time trying to make some. Chalk is a cheap, fun, and easy way to decorate and get creative with your friends.
4. Hook Up the Sprinkler
Running through the sprinklers is probably the most iconic summertime activity in the history of America. Even if it wasn't especially hot out, I always wanted to turn on the sprinklers and run around. If you don't own a sprinkler now, you can make one by poking a few holes in one side of a plastic bottle and taping a hose to the opening. You and your friends can play some soccer, tag, or Frisbee in the sprinklers to cool off, but if you don't want to get soaking wet, you can always set them up to the sides of your backyard party to add the classic symbol of childhood as an easy and simple decoration.
5. Crank the Throwback Jams
No party is complete without the perfect music to set the mood. There are a few songs that the second they come on the radio, you can't think of anything but sun, summer, and good times with good friends. For my sister and me, it was our Kim Possible CD we played non-stop and on full blast as kids. It was the perfect album complete with "Summertime Guys" by Nikki Cleary, "Celebration" by Jump5, "Come On Come On" by Smash Mouth, "Get Up on Ya Feet" by Aaron Carter, and eight other amazing tunes. Too bad it mysteriously got jammed in our car's CD player and was rendered forever useless. Suspicious, but a total accident. Right, Dad?
If you want to find some summer jams for your party, try the box under your bed or at the top of your closet or raid your old stereo. If you no longer have CDs, or a CD player for that matter, click here for a list of 80 summer throwback songs or visit Spotify for some pre-made playlists and virtually any song you can think of to give your party the perfect summer vibe.
So if your summer plans currently consist of video game controllers and a family size bag of Cheetos, consider trying something different, and yet familiar, that you know everyone will love. Make some Popsicles, invite over some good friends, and rekindle that pure, childlike joy of summer.
