All good things must come to an end… and if one day marked the end of summer, it would be Labor Day.
Yup, it’s your last chance to get in one more outdoor party or barbecue before the busy school year takes over your family’s routine.
This year, the holiday falls on September 4, always celebrated on the first Monday of the month in the U.S. to honor the hard work and achievements of American workers.
The U.S. Department of Labor notes that the holiday was created to honor American workers for raising living standards across the board and contributing to “the greatest production the world has ever known” and “bringing us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy.” The holiday is widely attributed to Peter J. McGuire, a union leader who founded the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in 1881. The holiday of Labor Day has its roots in the aspiration to recognize the contributions of American workers and the power and leadership they provide to the country.
Labor Day celebrations are a wonderful opportunity to spend time with friends and family, create lasting memories, and ease into autumn. We’ve done the work to find things to do on Labor Day so you don’t have to!
How to Celebrate Labor Day
- Back yard barbecue
Nothing is more American than good old fashioned backyard barbecue. Fire up the grill and toss on some burgers and hotdogs. If you’re up for more of a challenge branch out with grilled chicken, pork, or steaks.
Looking to impress and feed a crowd? Fire up the smoker and throw on a pork butt, some beef ribs, brisket, or even whole chickens. Slow and low is the name of the game when it comes to smoking meats. Since you’ve got all day, take your time and keep the smoke rolling. Your friends and family will thank you for the perfect end of summer backyard get together.
- Explore Your Community
Even if you think you’ve exhausted the possibilities in your immediate area, there’s always something new to discover just around the corner. Visit a nearby national park, cave system, local farm, or even take a drive-through safari if you have the time. All throughout Labor Day weekend, college football will be in full swing, perfect for families with die-hard fans. Consider buying tickets and experiencing a real game day if you live in the area.
Summer also happens to be the most popular time for festivals. Every city in every state seems to have some sort of summer festival. During the weekend of Labor Day, there will be festivals all around the country. Festivals typically feature a wide variety of activities, from musical performances to historical displays.
- Hang Out at the Beach or Local Watering Hole
In the blink of an eye, summer will be nothing but a memory. You can almost certainly already detect a hint of pumpkin spice in the air if you take a deep enough whiff, so make the most of the remaining warm weather by relaxing by the lake. Compete with your loved ones to see who can build the best sandcastle, throw the farthest in a game of frisbee, stay dry while reading a book under an umbrella, or pilot the most exciting watercraft. Relax in the warm weather, enjoy the waves, and spend time with loved ones before the hectic school year begins.
- Celebrate the Red, White, and Blue!
Nothing will get your family in a festive, patriotic mood like the colors red, white and blue. Even young kids who don’t fully understand the significance of Labor Day in the United States, recognize these colors! So, decorate with streamers and balloons, and have everyone wear red, white, and blue in honor of the holiday. Do some patriotic art projects and make snacks in the national colors.
- Host Outdoor Games
On Labor Day, many people take a well-deserved break from their hectic work schedules. Because of this, it’s the ideal time to get together with friends and family and spend the day playing games in the backyard. Pick out a couple of kid-friendly and a couple of adult-only games. After all that backyard fun, organize a picnic with all your friends and serve ice cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (for the kiddos).
- Make Crafts in Honor of Labor Day
Even though most holiday decorations are reserved for the three biggest holidays (Halloween, Christmas, and Easter), there’s no reason to leave Labor Day out of the creative fold. Make banners celebrating America out of red, white, and blue construction paper and streamers, paint rockets or flags, or try to build caps for firefighters, railway engineers, and police officers out of paper and felt. Patriotic arts and crafts can be as simple or elaborate as you choose.
- Master the Art of doing nothing.
If you plan to stay home for the holiday weekend, why not get the whole family together and just be together. Hammocks are a fit for purpose tool when the plan is to have no plan and do as little as possible. A cooler full of a variety of beverages will add to the kick back and Do Life Right vibe of the day.
- Outdoor Movie Night
Most parts of the U.S. have excellent weather around the time of Labor Day. This makes the perfect backdrop for an outdoor movie screening. Put up a sheet between two trees and project a fun family movie for everyone. Don’t forget the popcorn and a variety of seasonings to sprinkle on top!
- Participate as a Community Volunteer
So many people sacrifice so much to ensure the security, prosperity, and comfort of the American people. Put your weekend to good use by helping others less fortunate. Spread joy and goodwill by volunteering with your family at a local food bank, homeless shelter, animal shelter, disaster relief group, adoption or foster care agency, or senior center. Your family will return from the weekend with aching muscles and a full heart.
- Get in on the Deals
If your state offers a tax-free weekend for back-to-school shopping, you may have already taken advantage of it, but if not, Labor Day is a fantastic opportunity to stock up on camping gear. It’s also the time of year when stores typically have clearance sales on back-to-school supplies since they need to make room for the new seasonal stock. Last but not least, those of you who reside in states like Texas, where shorts are a year-round habit, should keep an eye out for summer clothes sales.
Flip Flop Daily has some of the best recommendations (and deals!) for the perfect pair to rock all year round.
Focus on having a good time with your loved ones.
You can take advantage of Labor Day weekend to learn something new, spend time with loved ones, and relax in the sun. Spend the long weekend doing something meaningful with the people you care about, whatever you decide to spend the time off.
It’s time to Do Life Right!
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