Quick answer: Here are 8 free, low-prep activities to do with kids on Labor Day weekend:
- Backyard Water Balloon Relay Race – Teams race to pass balloons without breaking them (5 min prep)
- Neighborhood Bike & Scooter Parade – Decorate bikes and scooters, then ride a loop around the block (5 min prep)
- Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course – Draw hopscotch, zigzags, and a finish line on the driveway (10 min prep)
- One Last Pool or Sprinkler Session – Add games like cannonball contests or noodle jousting (5 min prep)
- Low-Stakes Backyard Campout – Pitch a tent or pile up blankets outside with s'mores and flashlights (15 min prep)
- End-of-Summer Scavenger Hunt – Search the yard for seasonal items like pinecones and bugs (15 min prep)
- DIY Outdoor Movie Night – Hang a sheet or use a laptop for a backyard movie screening (15 min prep)
- Build-Your-Own Ice Cream or S'mores Bar – Set out toppings and let everyone build their own treat (15 min prep)
Labor Day weekend always brings that bittersweet end-of-summer feeling.
Celebrating Labor Day with kids is all about soaking up those last quiet moments of freedom before fall routines set in. Whether you want to mix these low-prep ideas with classic ways to celebrate Labor Day with your friends and family or keep things low-key at home, these activities are low-cost and take just a few minutes of prep.
Backyard Water Balloon Relay Race
(Prep time: 5 min)
As far as backyard Labor Day games go, this is a five-minute setup that buys thirty minutes of happy fun in the yard.
Fill a bucket, split into teams, and set some fun rules for a hilarious outcome (passing balloons overhead, holding them between knees, no hands).
The last team with an unbroken balloon wins.
Neighborhood Bike & Scooter Parade
(Prep time: 5 min)
You might find that kids enjoy the decorating part of this classic parade idea even more than the parade!
Break out the sidewalk chalk, crepe paper, painter's tape, or whatever ribbon you have laying around. Let the kids deck out their handlebars, then do a grand loop around the driveway or block.
Sidewalk Chalk Obstacle Course
(Prep time: 10 min)
This works as one of the easiest Labor Day weekend games for kids when you just need them to burn off some extra energy outside.
Trace out hopscotch squares, a dizzying zigzag line, spin spots, and a finish line on the driveway or sidewalk.
One Last Pool or Sprinkler Session
(Prep time: 5 min)
Treat this weekend like the official, grand-closing ceremony of water season.
To turn an ordinary sprinkler afternoon into something special, add a cannonball contest, pool noodle jousting, or a timed race to dive for sinkers.
Low-Stakes Backyard Campout
(Prep time: 15 min)
Nothing beats the thrill of an outdoor adventure like camping!
Pitch a tent in the yard, or drag a pile of blankets and cushions out to the patio. Throw in s'mores, flashlights, and sleeping bags, all without having to pack a trunk full of gear or drive anywhere.
End-of-Summer Scavenger Hunt
(Prep time: 15 min)
Looking for a way to get kids moving outside? This is a low-key way to say goodbye to the last bit of summer.
Jot down a quick list of seasonal yard items to hunt down: a dry pinecone, something bright red, a cool bug, a smooth rock, a good hiding spot. For an easy, ready-to-go version, grab our free printable scavenger hunt.
DIY Outdoor Movie Night
(Prep time: 15 min)
No fancy setups needed! Hang an old white bedsheet against a fence, borrow a projector, or keep it simple and set a laptop on a patio table.
Add a pile of outdoor pillows and popcorn, and suddenly, Sunday night turns into a special event.
Build-Your-Own Ice Cream or S’mores Bar
(Prep time: 15 min)
This low-effort classic summer activity makes a great capstone to a family cookout.
Set out a few bowls of toppings and let everyone take a stab at building their own dessert.
Wrap Up Summer and Look Ahead to Fall
Sometimes the simple, messy afternoons in the backyard are the ones kids will remember.
When you're brainstorming things to do with kids on Labor Day, remember that all it takes is a few basic supplies to create the spark that lets their imaginations take over.
And as you start mapping out your family calendar for the month ahead, be sure to check out September holidays to celebrate with the whole family to keep the inspiration going all month long!
