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34 Fun Things to Do on Labor Day Weekend to Soak Up the Last of Summer
Stay close to home with these Labor Day activities.
All good things must come to an end! Summer is in its last stretch and Labor Day will be here before you know it. The national holiday means the official start of fall is just around the corner and also marks the last extended weekend of the season. If you’re searching for things to do on Labor Day weekend to make the most of the final days of summer, browse our list of ideas for a fun-filled celebration.
Whether near or far, there are plenty of engaging Labor Day activities to fill the holiday! If you’re in the mood to host a gathering, we have your cooking needs covered with grilling ideas, scrumptious summer desserts, and barbecue ideas. Don’t forget to include time for play in your big plans with outdoor games for children and big kids too!
If you’ve had a long, hot summer, it might sound good to curl up with a new book or a movie marathon in the comfort of the air conditioning. No judgment here! Or maybe taking a dip in the pool is more your style? Check out our festive pool party ideas and much more. If you’d prefer to skip the staycation and love being on-the-go, find a brand-new hiking trail, hit the road to discover a new small town, or visit a national park you’ve never seen before. The possibilities are limitless—which is why we’ve done all the, well, labor and come up with a ton of family-friendly ideas for a day well spent.
Discover more inspiring autumn content:
Learn the Real Meaning of Labor Day
Beyond the end of summer, Labor Day is a national celebration of American workers. The labor movement of the late 19th century Industrial Revolution eventually led to the adoption of the major holiday.
LEARN MORE: Find Out Why We Celebrate Labor Day
Make Patriotic Desserts
Mark the ending of summer by making sweet treats that including the gorgeous shades of red, white, and blue treats. Find all of the delectable details at our 32 Labor Day Desserts for Your Picnic Menu!
RELATED: 50 Best No-Bake Summer Desserts That Are as Delicious as They Are Easy
Make a DIY Apple Wreath
It's almost peak apple picking season! Get ready for autumn by making a simple DIY Apple Wreath with fresh apples, boxwood sprigs, and berries!
Visit a National Park
If you're close to a one of America's beautiful national parks, take a drive for a visit. Enjoy the extra time with outdoor pursuits like hiking, fishing, or even camping. Search National Park Service database to find information about the operating hours and events at all of the nation's parks.
Tackle a New Cross-stitch Project
Add a fun project to your list of must-do activities during Labor Day break! Check out Country Living's collection free and easy printable cross stitch patterns to find a pretty pattern to tackle over the long weekend like this America template.
RELATED: A Beginner's Guide to Cross Stitch
Volunteer in Your Community
Make time to volunteer with a nonprofit organization in your community. Check the service schedules of your organizations or make a donation to your favorite charity. Check out Feeding America for information related to local food pantry program needs and Habitat for Humanity to find building projects in your area.
Plan a Weekend Trip to the Beach
Book a quick getaway at a nearby beach, load the car up, and hit the road. Soak up the sunshine and rolling waves with your family or friends before the arrival of fall. Get inspiration for your very own beach getaway from our guides to the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Destin, Florida, and Palm Beach, Florida.
Play Lawn Games
Spend Labor Day the way our forefathers would have wanted—playing lawn games like tossing bean bags into tiny holes via a homemade cornhole board and flying kites on a breezy afternoon! Discover how to DIY lawn games for a backyard-style Olympics.
RELATED: 36 DIY Outdoor Games for Kids and Adults to Play This Summer
Make a Sporty Centerpiece
If it's going to be all football, all the time at your house for the next few months, embrace the season with a beautiful centerpiece made from a vintage football helmet. Find the instructions below.
- To keep it steady, wrap a 3-inch embroidery hoop with jute ribbon, and center the helmet upside-down in it.
- Fill a glass with water, and place in the helmet.
- Add flowers to vase (here, butterfly ranunculus, chamomile, and black-eyed Susans) to finish the arrangement.
RELATED: 66 Beautiful Fall Centerpieces to Liven Up Your Dining Table
Plan an End of Summer Cookout
Did you know that outdoor gadgets and appliances are also usually on sale around Labor Day? Now you have the perfect excuse to buy a classic new Weber charcoal grill or Solo Stove Bonfire Pit. You need it for the holiday barbecue.
Rent a Pool
No pool? No problem. Swimply is an Airbnb-type service that allows you to find and rent pools near you by the hour.
RELATED: 25 Splashy Pool Party Ideas to Make Yours the Most Popular House on the Block
Host a Tailgate
Football season has finally arrived! There are college games all weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday), so there is something for everyone to watch. Pull out your finest game day attire, pull out your fave tailgating snacks, make a tray of these cute Football Whoopie Pies With Cinnamon Cream, and host your friends for a watch party.
RELATED: 50 Best Tailgate Food Ideas to Make Game Day a Success
Set Up the Sprinkler
Little kids love running through a sprinkler for a good reason. This Labor Day, channel your inner child and join them for a run through or two and just try to keep that delighted smile off your face. Head to your local garden center or visit an online retailer to pick a rotating sprinkler.
RELATED: Camp Country Living: 60 Ways to Keep Kids Busy This Summer
Make Your Own Ice Cream
Pull out the ice cream maker for a fun and tasty hand-on activity. Show your little ones the concept of hard work and delicious rewards with a homemade ice cream session during Labor Day weekend.
Plan a Glamping Trip
Are you outdoorsy but maybe not that outdoorsy? Glamping is the perfect solution! Many glamping tents have air-conditioning and even indoor plumbing, so you're getting closer to nature without giving up all the comforts.
Hit the Shops
Labor Day sales are a great time to stock up on back-to-school essentials, kids' clothing, and cold-weather wardrobe staples for fall.
Go on a Bike Ride
If you've been meaning to hit the trails on two wheels but haven't yet this summer, now's the time to go on a bike ride. If you don't have wheels for the whole family, research local bike companies who often offer rentals as well as maps and suggested routes to explore.
Take a Road Trip
The three-day weekend is the perfect time to drive somewhere new. Get kids involved by having them help plan out the route on a map, and deciding which sights to see while you're there. If you need ideas, check out this list of road trip stops in every state.
RELATED: What Type of Road Trip Is Right For You?
Decorate Your Front Porch for Fall
A long weekend at home offers the chance to decorate your front porch for fall. Whether you prefer pumpkins, wreaths, or garlands, we've got fall porch decorating ideas sure to make your house the most festive, fall-friendly one on the block.
RELATED: 66 Best Fall Decorating Ideas to Turn Your Home Into a Seasonal Escape
Turn Your Backyard into a Movie Theater
Wait until the cool of the late afternoon when the lighting is just right and set up an outdoor movie theater. Add cozy seating on your lawn with floor cushions and blankets. If you want to go all out pack a basket with popcorn and milk duds and string up light for extra ambience.
RELATED: Everything You Need for the Cutest Outdoor Movie Night
Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
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