Take Me To Post Comment Form Believe it or not, the first day of school is just around the corner. That means for the children in our area, "summer" is almost over, despite the fact that the official start of autumn is over two months away. Now is definitely the time to squeeze in a last bit of summer fun before it is too late.

So, what can you do as a family to make the most of these final weeks of summer break? Should you take an all-inclusive vacation to Disney World? Must you have an Olympic-sized pool dug in your backyard?

Actually, some of the simplest, most traditional hot weather activities make for the very best memories. And as an added bonus, these "oldies but goodies" won’t break the bank!

Here are my "everything old is new again" ideas for celebrating what is left of summer:

1) Get out the sprinkler, have the kids put on their swimsuits, and let them run around in the spray. Don’t forget to snap lots of pictures!

2) Take either late evening or early morning walks together as a family. Enjoy the mild temperatures, the glories of nature, and the sweet smell of South Georgia in the summertime.

3) Roast marshmallows by a campfire or outdoor fireplace after dark. Just be sure to have plenty of citronella candles on hand to ward off biting mosquitoes.

4) Take a day trip to the beach. The Gulf Coast and the Caribbean may be a little out of reach, but we are incredibly fortunate to have Tybee just a little over an hour away. Leave the house before lunch, and you can still get back home before dinner.

5) Make homemade Popsicles. I have fond memories of pouring Crystal Light and Kool Aid into molds to make Popsicles when I was a kid. Of course fruit juice can be used as well.

I hope these suggestions motivate you to make the most of what is left of summer break. Enjoy the time you have together as a family and create some fun, hot weather traditions of your own!