Labor Day Weekend: End Your Summer on a High Note

Let’s take just a moment to review your summertime checklist…

✅ Family fun at the pool – check!

✅ At least one trip to the beach — check!

✅ As many music festivals as your ears can stand — what?!

✅ Dining al fresco more often than not — absolutely!

Hopefully you and your family been enjoying the summer months. But now, with school fully back in session and shorter daylight hours, we must admit it: summer is winding down. But that’s no reason to cut the party short. In fact, a three-day weekend is the best reason of all to celebrate while you still can!

Before the sun sets on the brightest season, check out our list of fun ideas to help make every last sunny moment count.

Enjoy creative cooking

Burgers, chicken, and kabobs on the grill are the usual summer staples, no doubt, but… have you tried grilled pineapple? It’s amazing with just a touch of lime juice and chili powder. Or try grilled watermelon!

Instead of the standard veggie tray, wow your next get-together with any of these easy summer appetizers, like an Antipasto Platter, Hawaiian Ahi Poke Tuna with Wonton Chips, or Japanese Oyster Shooters!

And for all your hearty cuts of grilled meat, poultry pieces and seafood favorites, turn the flavor up a notch or two with dry rub spice mixes.

And, if you’d like to get a leg up on next year’s outdoor cooking season and upgrade your grill game right now, take another look at Kenmore’s enticing lineup. You’ll find all the right cooking and accessory choices for any grillmaster.

Grab your basket

Take advantage of the still-fairly-warm temps and set out for a picnic adventure. Take on the important task of catching a gorgeous sunset while you’re at it. But before you soak up all that Mother Nature has to offer, brush up on our Top Tips for planning the perfect picnic.

Go on a bike ride

If you’re anything like us, you’ve been meaning to get the bikes out, fill the tires with air, find the helmets, and hit the trails on two wheels… but somehow it’s never been quite the right time. Well, no more excuses! Right now is the perfect time for a family bike adventure.

If you don’t have the right wheels for every family member, take a few moments to explore local bike shops in your area who often offer daily rentals. They can also help with suggested routes, trails and maps for your outing.

Unwind in the great outdoors

Nothing beats family togetherness in the fresh air. If you’ve got a free weekend, consider loading up the car for an impromptu camping trip. Use the weekend to really unwind and unplug from the digital world. Imagine quiet nights reading in your tent, making s’mores over the bonfire, hiking, canoeing, and genuine in-person conversations with the ones you love most. And, hopefully, no cellular reception.

You can find a wealth of information on your local parks and forests right here.

Brush up on your moves

We’re now in the home stretch of the wedding season, so why not learn a new dance move to win the reception? You can start it off slow, or you can finally dance to Thriller with the confidence of MJ himself.

Of course, the best move to make for a wedding includes getting the happy couple a gift they’ll love. And when it comes to helpful wedding gifts, Kenmore helps you make it easy.

Backyard movie night

Get comfy and throw a blockbuster viewing party at home. Simply hang up a sheet or projector screen outside, get a high-def projector, and turn your outdoor space into a theater for friends and family. You can even make your own popcorn and offer refreshments for the whole group.

Take them out to the ballgame

Nothing beats fun at the ol’ ballpark. When was the last time you took your crew out to see a live baseball game? Buy them some peanuts and crackerjack, they won’t care if they never come back! And even if you don’t live near a major-league ballpark, there is almost certainly a minor-league club within easy driving distance. Those games can be a blast, too, usually with shorter lines for food, cheaper tickets, and even better parking.

Deck out their dorm

Okay, this one is admittedly a little bittersweet, but you just might find yourself having fun getting your kid ready for their first year of college, in between your tears. Help them decorate with the perfect comforter set, cozy towels and a few comforts from home that will help make that first year away a little easier. And be sure to check out our Dorm Survival 101 for helpful tips on getting them started in their first home away from home!

What are you up to?

Whatever your plans might be for Labor Day weekend and the remainder of summer, we’d love to hear about it! Have your own Labor Day traditions? We’d love to know.