Your End-of-the-Year Checklist

It’s the end of the school year! With last-minute school projects, programs, graduations and final exams, parents have a lot to do. As you wrap up the academic year, use this checklist to finish off the school year on a positive note, make memories and prepare for a summer of fun!

Teacher Appreciation

Teachers pour their hearts and souls into our kids, and the end of the school year is the perfect time to show your appreciation. Although it may be tempting to buy another mug or knickknack, many teachers already have vast collections of these popular items. Try one of these ideas for a thoughtful gift your teacher will enjoy:

• A poem, letter or drawing from your child.
• Her favorite thing. One of our good friends is a retired school teacher and she collects frogs. Over the years, her students gifted her with many adorable frog collectibles, and now they decorate her kitchen and backyard garden. She enjoys the memories of her students they inspire. Find out what your child’s teacher collects and enjoys most and add to her collection.
• A gift card to his favorite place. Get to know your child’s teacher or have your child conduct a bit of an interview.
• A summer relaxation kit with a cute new tote bag, flip flops, sunglasses and a fun new book to read.
• Homemade goodies. Bake muffins or cookies and show your love.

End-of-Year Interviews

It’s amazing just how much our kids grow and change throughout the year. Use the end of the school year as an opportunity to interview your child and record his memories and dreams. It will be fun to look back on these over the years. Remember when Joe dreamed of becoming a firefighter, and now his dream job is to become a biochemist?  Here are a few questions to get started:

• Who was your teacher this year and what did you enjoy most about her class?
• Who is your best friend this year and what do you enjoy doing together?
• What do you want to be when you grow up and why?
• What is your favorite book that you read this year and why?
• What is your favorite subject?
• Did your class take a field trip? What were your favorite memories from the experience?
• If you could change one thing at your school, what would it be?
• What are you looking forward to most this summer?

Last Day of School Family Fun Night

Celebrate the end of the school year with a fun family night. You could order pizza and plan a fun night at home with your favorite board games and movies or take the family out for a night on the town. These are a few of our favorite places to play; you will find even more in our KC Going Places Guide:

• Paint your own pottery and enjoy a family night at Paint, Glaze & Fire or Ceramic Café. Both shops offer specials and events all month long, including special story hours and pizza nights.
• Head to Main Event in Olathe, Kansas City,  or Independence, where you can enjoy bowling, arcades, an obstacle course, laser tag and more. These family fun centers also offer dining for a complete night of family fun.
• Take the kids to a game and watch the Kansas City T-Bones, Sporting KC or the Royals in action. Watch team promotions schedules for fireworks nights, skydiving, buck night and more to add to the fun.

Become a Member

Summer is the perfect time to purchase a family membership to local attractions. Members enjoy free admission, exclusive members-only events, members-only newsletters and often receive discounts at gift shops and concessions, along with other great perks. Many of these memberships are also reciprocal with attractions in other cities, so you can enjoy free or discounted admission when you travel. These are a few of our favorite places for memberships locally and our favorite membership perks.

• Pool Passes. Summer is pool season, and memberships are worth the savings. Join your local parks and rec’s pool and enjoy fun in the sun all season long.
• Kansas City Zoo (6800 Zoo Dr., Kansas City, MO, 816.595.1234, KansasCityZoo.org/membership). Favorite Perk: The zoo offers various levels of memberships so you can select the perks you will use most (e.g., unlimited rides on the train, carousel and Sky Safari).
• Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun (8000 NE Parvin Rd., Kansas City, MO, WorldsOfFun.com). Favorite Perk: Passholders receive up to 10 percent off food or merchandise and may purchase discounted admission tickets for friends.
• Johnson County Museum (8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS, JoCoGov.org/dept/museum/home). Favorite Perk: Enjoy discounts on museum programs and events and a 10 percent discount at the gift store.
• Union Station’s Science City (30 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.460.2020, UnionStation.org/membership). Favorite Perk: Free or discounted admission to nearly 300 museums.

Make a Summer Bucket List

Let your kids help plan a summer of memories. Have each child submit five to 10 things that top his hometown fun wish list this summer and make it a goal to check off as many as you can. To help you brainstorm, search “100 Things to Do This Summer” and “50 Under $5.”.

Kristina Light is certain that May rivals December for all its busyness, but her family does its best to enjoy moments together—including an annual mother-daughter trip to Pella, IA, for Tulip Time where they like to stop and smell the tulips.