The “last day of homeschool” can sound like a big, official event, but for us, it’s really about making memories and transitioning gently into our summer learning adventures. This year, our “last day” stretched into three incredibly special days, proving you don’t need a huge ceremony to make the end of a school year unforgettable or pack everything into one single day!
Day 1: Outdoor Adventures and Local Delights
We kicked off our celebration with a delicious breakfast of crepes made by Grandma (my mom)– the perfect start to any special day! After a few final worksheets and some reading time outside, we wrapped up our core curriculum. There were no video lessons as I phased them out a week earlier. They just weren’t necessary anymore.
Time for a treat: Once all the “work” was done, we headed to our favorite coffee shop. Usually, we just hit the drive-thru, but today, we made it extra special by going to their outdoor patio area. The kids were absolutely thrilled to eat in and watch cars drive by.
Next, we drove to our local ski resort for a walk, taking in all the exciting changes happening as they prepared for the summer season. On the way home, we grabbed some ice cream, enjoying it under the warm sun.
As the evening approached, we took a walk down to the beach. It was a serene end to the day, made even more memorable by a friendly (and mischievous!) swan who decided my dad’s shoes were a fun toy and wouldn’t give them back!
Day 2: A Roaring Dinosaur Surprise!
The second day held the biggest surprise! About a month ago, I asked the kids what they wanted to learn about over the summer. We school year-round, once the core curriculum is done, we have a “break” that’s filled with gentle, relaxing study units. Both of them enthusiastically shouted, “Dinosaurs!”
While there aren’t any dinosaur museums close by, I discovered an incredible Dinosaur Alive Exhibition just 1.5 hours away. The look on their faces when we arrived was priceless – they were absolutely buzzing with excitement to meet dinosaurs! The exhibition featured over 40 dinosaurs, including the mighty T-Rex. Many of the exhibits moved and made realistic dinosaur noises, which truly brought them to life. There was also a sensory digital room that created an immersive underwater experience, a draw-your-own-dinosaur activity where their creations appeared on a giant projector screen, a dinosaur dig, a virtual reality experience, and even ride-on dinosaurs. This amazing adventure truly sparked their enthusiasm for our upcoming dinosaur study unit!
Afterwards we made a lunch stop at Ikea! A favorite place for me and the children.
Day 3: Graduation Caps and Sweet Memories
On our third and final day of celebration, we kept things sweet and simple. We spent the morning finishing up their kindergarten graduation caps and then snapped a few adorable pictures to commemorate their achievements.
It was a perfect, low-key way to acknowledge their hard work and mark the end of another successful homeschool year. Our three-day celebration proved that you don’t need a whole “throw a graduation ceremony and end-of-the-year party” to make the last day of homeschool truly memorable. Sometimes, it’s the simple moments and unexpected adventures that create the most cherished memories!
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