While August may signify the winding down of summer (and, of course, the subsequent return to school for kids across the country), it doesn’t mean you have to say “goodbye” to fun in the pool. In fact, now is a great time to enjoy your backyard pool with friends and family even more. Take a look at our four ideas for back-to-school fun by the pool below.

Have a family cookout

Summer is filled with plenty of great reasons to have a family cookout by the pool—Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and more. What’s one more? The entire family can enjoy tasty hot dogs, burgers, kebabs and more after spending a fun afternoon in the pool. For an even larger get together, invite neighbors or friends from work and church—everyone will be happy to have an excuse to lounge by the pool and chow down on delicious barbecue eats.

Host a back-to-school pool party

For families with school-aged children, the back-to-school season can often be a hectic one. If you’re not picking up books and schedules at school, you’re running errands to buy school supplies, clothes and plenty of lunch bag snacks. Why not give yourself and your child a break by hosting a back-to-school party for them and their friends? Everyone will enjoy this chance to ring in the school season with friends by their side.

Although it seems like we were just planning our start-of-summer pool parties, this is a great chance for everyone to wind down and head into the new school year with confidence. Use school colors in your décor and give everyone a chance to talk about what they enjoyed most of the summer—then, of course, what they’re looking forward to most from the school year ahead.

Eat some s’mores and go nighttime swimming

There’s definitely something special about swimming in the pool at night, so why not put this activity on your end-of-summer calendar? You can invite over some friends to swim and splash around at night, then start up your fire pit and gather everyone around for some campfire style stories and, of course, delicious s’mores!

Start a new routine

As we head back into the school year, now is a fantastic time to start new routines you hope to keep up throughout the months ahead. Start a family pool day—which will serve as a welcome break from school and work—or Thursday afternoon swim practice for the kids. Whatever you choose, they are all excellent ways to get the family together and maintain your love for the water.

We hope that these ideas help you enjoy the rest of your warm summer days to the fullest!