How to Not Lose It During the Last Week of School (And Prepare for Summer Break)
Let’s be real—the last week of school feels a bit like limping across a finish line... in flip-flops... while carrying a science project, cupcakes, and your 3-year-old. It’s chaotic, emotional, and somehow both way too fast and painfully slow. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or on the brink of end-of-school-year burnout, you are so not alone.
As a mom 3, I'm right there with you. The good news? It is possible to survive the last week of school and prepare for summer break with just a little bit of planning. Here’s your no-stress guide to wrap up the school year with less chaos, more joy, and maybe even a moment of peace before summer break hits.
End-of-the-School-Year Survival Checklist
A sanity-saving checklist full of end-of-school-year ideas, teacher gifts, and tips for summer break prep
✅ 1. Thoughtful and Last-Minute Teacher Gift Ideas
Still scrambling for what to give the amazing humans who’ve poured into your child’s life all year? No problem. Check out our favorite teacher appreciation gift ideas that are thoughtful, easy, and don’t require a craft store run.
Bonus: We have a free printable gift card holder you can download and use in a pinch. Pair it with a coffee shop gift card or a handwritten note from your kiddo—because honestly, that’s what teachers remember most.
✅ 2. Make the Last Day of School Special (Without Overdoing It)
There's no pressure to throw a Pinterest-worthy end-of-the-school-year party. Truly. The last day of school is exciting on its own, and you’re under zero obligation to add anything extra. But if you do want to celebrate, here are some low-effort, high-fun last day of school ideas:
- Grab ice cream after school pickup
- Let the kids choose where to go for a celebratory dinner
- Buy a few summer fun essentials: swimsuits, pool toys, goggles
- Gift kids a new book to kick off their summer reading list
✅ 3. Summer Break Survival Tip: Schedule Something for Week One of Summer
You think you’ll want a slow, lazy start to summer... until day three hits and someone’s already said “I’m bored” before 9am. Avoid the meltdown (yours or theirs) by setting up a couple playdates, a grandparent day, or booking a summer camp near you that first week school is out. It gives everyone something to look forward to—and buys you a little breathing room to reset your brain and maybe even tackle that pile of school papers. Which brings us to...
✅ 4. Capture School Memories Before They Disappear
You will forget who their best friend was this year. Or what their favorite subject was. Or what weird thing they were obsessed with in March. Before the school year blurs into summer, take 10 minutes to fill out our free printable end-of-year interview for kids or start adding to a School Memory Book. It’s a fun activity to do together (especially with younger kids) to wrap up the year with intention.
Bonus: Self Care Tips For Mom This Summer
The end of the school year is full of emotional landmines—pride, exhaustion, a twinge of sadness that your baby is another year older. Give yourself permission to feel all of it. And also to not do all the things. Order dinner. Say no to things. Take a walk. Buy yourself a coffee. Make a plan for your own self-care this summer—because you’re not just the cruise director, snack dispenser, and memory keeper... you’re also a human who deserves rest.
You don’t have to crush the end of the school year with color-coded checklists and elaborate celebrations. You just have to make it through—ideally with your sense of humor and at least one clean pair of shorts for each kid. This last day of school checklist isn’t about doing more—it’s about feeling a little more in control as the year wraps up. Celebrate the small stuff, prep what you can, and don’t forget to print that memory questionnaire before the lunchboxes get stuffed in a cabinet and forgotten. You’ve got this. (And if not, there’s always popsicles.)
