It’s nearing that time of year again! Time to welcome in August, start back-to-school shopping, and dust off the coats in preparation for colder months ahead. But before you start thinking about arranging a school carpool for the kiddos, remember that there are still a few more weeks left to enjoy SUMMER! Now the question is… how are you going to spend this time and finish up summer with a BANG?

With just enough time to plan a short getaway, day trip, or get-together, you can be sure to find tons of fun, family oriented summer ideas! Here are a few of the hundreds of ideas for summer-end fun to get you started.

Plan a camping trip!

Having our offices in Boulder, CO means there are tons of places to go camping throughout the area. All you really need is a tent, some food, and a couple piece of wood to build the perfect toasty fire to roast marshmallows on! Don’t forget to throw in your hiking boots, mountain bike, and bathing suit to get even more fun in the sun! If you live in an area that doesn’t have a lot of public outdoor space, you can always pitch a tent in your backyard (or even living room!) for a closer to home experience.

Chart out a road trip!

Flights can be pricey, especially last minute. So instead, how about mapping out a mini-excursion road trip to the nearest National Park or big landmark!? One of my favorite road trips of all time included visiting the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, and going cliff jumping into a lake during one of our daily lunch breaks. Road trips are also a great opportunity to spend quality time with the family (hey, you’re gonna be in a car together for a looong time!) so come prepared with an arsenal of games to play together while you’re on the road. Don’t forget to bring snacks!

Get WET!

Summer is HOT. Like really hot. Take a day to visit your neighborhood pool, go lounge at the lake, or take a tube down the nearest river! Getting out and about in the water is a great way to cool down and get in a good workout. Don’t have a big body of water to swim around in? No worries! Having a water balloon toss or playing in a backyard sprinkler is just as good if you’re looking to cool off!

Plan a backyard bash!

One of my favorite parts about summer is being able to hang outside late at night since it stays so warm out! Next weekend, channel your inner host or hostess and plan an evening party in your backyard. Whether you’re going to turn up the grill for a BBQ or set up a movie screen and projector for a late night outdoor movie screening, anything that involves getting together with friends and family is sure to be a good time.

Have any other great last minute summer fun activities??