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To many individuals, Labor Day means a day off work and an opportunity to bid the summer goodbye. The federal holiday is commemorated on the first Monday of September in the United States, among other nations such as Canada, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Canal Zone.
Why do we celebrate Labor Day?
We celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September as an annual celebration of American workers’ economic and social achievements. The holiday is embedded in the late 19th century when labor activists fought for a federal holiday to recognize the contributions of workers to the prosperity, strength, and well-being of America.
When is Labor Day in 2022?
This year’s Labor Day falls on Monday, September 5th, 2022. Therefore, the Labor Day weekend will begin on September 3rd to Monday, September 5th, 2022.
When was the First Labor Day?
The very first Labor Day took place on September 5th, 1882. Peter J. McGuire, a labor union leader and a carpenter, was the first person to bring up the idea of celebrating workers. McGuire, who earned the name “father” of Labor Day, thought American workers made a significant contribution to the nation and deserved a holiday to honor them. He proposed the idea to the Central Labor Union in New York in early 1882, and they embraced it!
Americans quickly embraced the idea, and by 1884, all the significant cities held Labor Day parades too. With the help of other labor dignitaries, McGuire continued to lobby for a national holiday. Finally, this dream came true on June 28th, 1894, when Labor Day became a federal holiday as per the act of Congress.
10 Fascinating Facts about Labor Day!
- The first Labor Day in the US occurred on Tuesday, September 5th, 1882, in New York City.
- The first Labor Day celebrations involved 10,000 workers marching from City Hall to 42nd Street before meeting their families in Wendell’s Elm Park for speeches, concerts, and picnics.
- Canada is believed to be the first country to commemorate Labor Day in 1872.
- Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a legal holiday in 1887.
- Labor Day is the third most popular day for grilling in the United States.
- The day marks the beginning of college football and NFL seasons in the US. Sports.
- The US Congress, under the leadership of President Grover Cleveland, made Labor Day a national holiday in 1894.
- Labor to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans eat 7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- Railroad workers did not get an eight-hour workday until 1916.
- Labor Day is among the busiest travel days of the year!
15 Labor Day Quotes to Honor Americans’ Hard work!
- Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration. The rest of us get up and go to work – Stephen King.
- Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right? — Michelle Obama
- Find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life – Harvey Mackay.
- The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work – Oprah Winfrey.
- To find joy in work is to find the fountain of youth – Pearl S. Buck.
- Pleasure in the job puts perfection in work – Aristotle.
- Most people miss opportunity because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work – Thomas Edison.
- The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary – Vince Lombardi.
- Thunder is good, thunder is impressive, but it is the lightning that does the work- Mark Twain.
- I learned the value of hard work by working hard – Margaret Mead.
- A man is not paid for having a head and hands but for using them – Elbert Hubbard.
- Without ambition, one starts nothing. Without work, one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
- Follow your passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and, above all, don’t let anyone limit your dreams — Donovan Bailey
- There is no substitute for hard work — Thomas A. Edison
- It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up — Babe Ruth
25 Labor Day Games and Activities you and your Family will Love!
1. Enjoy a Labor Day Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt game is a great way to start your Labor Day celebrations, especially if your kids are older. Come up with a list of items that reflect the patriotic American spirit for your kids to find. For example, you can ask them to identify objects with red, white, and blue colors or an item with an American flag on it. They can also find items associated with the summer holiday, such as hot dogs, buns, hamburgers, or ice cream.
2. Enjoy a Classic Outdoor Game:
Enjoy part of your Labor Day playing an outdoor game that everyone in the Family loves. Outdoor activities such as badminton, quoits, and croquet can be great spontaneous activities for the day! Let your children improve their social skills through interacting with other kids as they enjoy the outdoor games. They can also develop better physical capabilities, enhance self-confidence, and overcome fears by engaging in fun.
3. DIY Giant Lawn Memory Matching Game:
Are you looking for a game to challenge your kids’ minds and keep them moving? Why don’t you try out a giant memory-match game? Not only will your children have a blast on Labor Day, but they will also get an opportunity to improve their memory skills.
It is easy to make and play a giant memory game. Collect pairs of pictures and place them on the ground face-down. Your kids can take turns flipping over two images ago as they search for the matching pairs. The child with the most matching pairs becomes the winner. The pictures can be Labor Day themed to commemorate the day.
4. Relay Race:
A relay race is a major crowd-pleaser for both participants and spectators. There are numerous types of relay races you can choose from. You will require gathering all the materials for your chosen race in advance. You should also have something to mark the start and finish line. You can also get your camera to capture every spur-of-the-moment memory!
Here are three examples of outdoor relay races you can try:
Egg-and-Spoon Race:
Supplies: You will need spoons (for each player) and eggs (hard-boiled or plastic).
Create two teams and give each play an egg and a spoon.
Each team member must carry the egg with their spoon from the starting line to the finish line at different intervals. Then, the teammates pass the egg to each other at an agreed location. A player must retrieve the egg if it drops and continues with the game. The team that completes the race first becomes the winner.
Water Relay Race:
Supplies: Buckets, cups.
Create two teams and give each group a cup.
Place a bucket filled with water at the starting line for each team and an empty bucket at the finish line. The players should take turns filling their cup from the full bucket and pouring it into their empty bucket at the finish line. The team with the most water at the finish-line bucket becomes the winner.
Wheelbarrow Race:
Supplies: None!
The wheelbarrow race is an excellent game that gets your kids bending, moving, and enjoying. Mark a start and a finish line, then pair kids in two teams. (Allow them to choose their partner).
In each team, one player will stand and hold their partner’s ankles, then walk on their hands. Both teams will head towards the finish line. The team that gets to the finish line first will be the winner.
5. Tug-of-War:
Supplies: a marker, a good size rope.
This is an excellent staple game to enjoy as you wrap up the summer holiday and celebrate Labor Day. The easy-to-set game promotes social skills and team spirit, resulting in a dip in the mud or a barrel of laughs.
Each team holds the rope on one side, and the team that successfully pulls the other over the center marker becomes the winner! Let both teams know it is not funny to suddenly let go of the rope!
6. Set up a Sprinkler:
We are still in summer, and with temperatures still up, children enjoy cooling down with water. There is no better way to cool off this Labor Day than running through a sprinkler. Sprinkler games also keep your kids away from gadgets and improve their physical health. They can also awaken your inner child and refresh the entire Family as you share delightful smiles.
7. Go on a Bike Ride:
Bike riding is an excellent aerobic exercise that gets oxygen flowing and your heart pumping. A bike ride this Labor Day can offer your kids a blast as they prepare to return to school. Besides fun, bike riding can also help everyone in the Family to keep fit, focus and increase movement.
8. Host a Backyard Olympic:
Labor Day is an excellent time to enjoy kickback and relax, especially now that your Family is about to return to a busy school year. Gather Family and friends and spend the day enjoying some backyard games. You can choose several games designed for kids and several for adults only. End the day with a picnic feast or favorite summer cocktails.
9. Enjoy a Movie in the Backyard:
You can wrap up your Labor Day by turning your Backyard into a movie theatre. Wait until late afternoon to get good lighting before setting up the outdoor movie theatre. Then, you can add some cozy seating on your lawn with blankets and floor cushions. You could also go out by packing a basket with milk duds and popcorn.
10. Go Red, White, and Blue!
Are you wondering how best to celebrate Labor Day because your kids are too young to comprehend? Relax; you can still celebrate by helping them understand simple things about patriotism, such as the significant colors red, white and blue.
Have everyone dress in patriotic colors and hang balloons and streamers with the American flag’s color. You could go further to make snacks that reflect the nation’s colors or do other forms of patriotic projects.
11. Go Hiking!
A family adventure can be an excellent way to enjoy Labor Day and wrap up the summer vacation. Carry your favorite snacks and water, and enjoy some time in nature. Use this time to bond with your Family, and learn about plants and insects you encounter on the way. You can also engage in varying games during the adventure, such as trail bingo and scavenger hunts. You can carry your camera to capture the best moments in the woods and later create a scrapbook to create lasting memories.
12. Camping:
Are you looking for a way to unplug and spend quality time with your Family away from distractions? Camping is the way to go! Camping provides ample time for the Family to enjoy quality time together. While camping with kids may seem somewhat intimidating, it can be filled with a lot of fun if adequately planned. Remember to carry all supplies you need to make the experience fun and more memorable.
13. Face Painting:
What‘s Labor Day without cute face painting? Face painting is among excellent party ideas for kids and a fantastic idea to add to your summer ending list. You could commemorate the day by painting your kids with red, white, and blue colors to show patriotism. Some advantages of face painting are that it’s cheap, fun, creative, and provides an excellent time for bonding and an opportunity for children to express their individuality.
14. Water Sports:
There are numerous water sports you could try out on Labor Day, including kayaking, Swimming, paddle boarding, and jet skiing. You can also visit a local beach, pool, or lake before the lifeguards pack up until the following summer. You don’t need to have all the watercraft; you can get some from a local outfitter that rents water sports gear.
15. Rock Climbing and Bouldering:
Are you looking for a game to make your kids more robust and confident this labor day? Then, you can try out rock climbing and bouldering. There is no better way to end the summer season than by connecting with nature and drawing on strength to reach the top!
Here is what you need to know about rock climbing;
- It builds confidence
- It improves foot, eye, and hand coordination.
- It increases strength, flexibility, and endurance.
- It enhances problem-solving skills.
- It is downright fun!
16. Have a Cookout:
Labor Day is the third most popular day for grilling in the US. You can invite friends, Family, and neighbors and enjoy a BBQ. You can also cook and enjoy other delicacies like veggie burgers, ribs, and chicken outside. Have a separate kid’s table with a vibrant décor or tablecloth to make them feel more included.
17. Go Swimming!
Celebrate this year’s Labor Day with a splash! Let your kids cool down at a local beach, nearby lake, or town pool. You don’t have to worry if you don’t have access to a water body. You can have the same fun with slip-n-slide, sprinklers, or balloons. Just ensure that your kids are under supervision to avoid any mishaps.
18. Go Paddle-boarding:
Labor Day is an excellent day for paddle boarding since lakes and rivers are warmest in early September. If you are worried about your kids’ ability to balance, canoeing and kayaking are great alternatives.
19. Make a Bonfire!
A bonfire is a perfect activity for Labor Day. You can gather Family and friends around the fire and share stories and laughs. You could also read books, sing patriotic songs, and bond as you summarize the summer vacation.
20. Explore the Neighborhood:
Now that your kids are about to return to school, you can practice walking or cycling to their school and back. Teach the younger ones different routes in the neighborhood and road safety rules. This will reassure you when they want to go out on their own.
21. Visit a Local Theme Park:
If you don’t want to spend time at home this Labor Day, you can visit a local amusement park for numerous funs. Many parks hold fireworks shows, unique parades, and festivals, among other exciting events for a holiday. Your children will enjoy the last trip to a water or amusement park before getting immersed in school again.
22. Labor Day Crafts:
The Labor Day holiday gives you and your Family an excuse to make some crafts. Craft time provides an excellent time for bonding and helps improve your child’s creativity, imagination, and motor skills. You can create anything from Labor Day puppets to Labor Day greeting cards, to mention a few.
23. Host a Barbecue:
You can have much fun this Labor Day without living in your Backyard. Invite Family, friends, and neighbors for a barbecue. Many Labor Day recipes are available online, including kid-friendly BBQ menus.
24. Read a Book:
You don’t have to be at the beach to enjoy a good read. Nothing is better than relaxing on a couch with your Family and reading for an uninterrupted period. You can choose from numerous books about Labor Day and patriotism!
Please check out the following Benefits of Summer Reading.
25. Make Dessert!
Make your weekend a little sweeter by making sweet treats with your kids. Involve all the family members in gathering ingredients, mixing them, and decorating the final product before enjoying the tasty creation.
Our Final Thought:
Labor Day is a great time to celebrate American workers and our patriotism and spend quality time with people we love and care about. The above activities will make it easy to get together with people you care about, get creative, and have a good time before the new school year begins.
Remember: You don’t have to spend much money to enjoy Labor Day!
HAPPY LABOR DAY from us, the Kids on the Yard team!
