As Seen on the TODAY Show: Ultimate DIYs for the Dog Days of Summer

I think we can all agree that August is pretty much like the Sunday of calendar months. Just like you get the Sunday Scaries as you dread Mondays, August is that last lovely month before we have to head back to school and the colder months set in. But, It’s important to remember — it’s still summer! And there’s no better way to celebrate than spending those last few warm days and nights outside. This morning I went back on the TODAY show to demonstrate a few entertaining tips and tricks to make a great outdoor picnic filled with cozy seating, sweet treats, and fun games to celebrate that last gasp of summer.

Balloon Picnic

I mean, who doesn’t get excited when they see a bunch of balloons!? Creating a balloon fence is a festive way to close off an area in a public space to make it feel like a private party. Buy 36-inch balloon sticks from your local party store. Thread the ribbon of five helium balloons through the top of the plastic balloon stick and tie into a knot. What’s great is that these sticks already have stakes on the bottom for you to plant into the ground, but if you are stuck inside, simply stick the stake into a block of floral foam or styrofoam. (via The House That Lars Built)

Blow-Up Pool Picnic

Put that kiddie pool to another use by turning it into a bug-free picnic zone. Use blankets and pillows to create a cozy space to sit back and relax while enjoying your favorite summertime snacks. (via Izze)

Hanging Pretzel Bar

One of the challenges of hosting guests is to make sure there’s enough space for everything and everyone. To make everything fit, we are taking our snack bar to new heights. To create this hanging pretzel bar, you’ll need a couple of S hooks and a towel rack. Add a bright coat of spray paint or acrylic paint to make the towel rack seem like a piece of the table’s decor and less of a bathroom necessity. Once dry, hang S hooks with soft pretzels on the other end. Use the bottom of the rack as a place to store paper plates and pretzel dips. (via Brit + Co)

Make Your Own Popsicles

Whether you call them push-up pops or otter pops, I think we all know and love these icy treats. And now you can now buy your own skinny Ziploc-style bags and DIY your very own popsicles. We whipped up a strawberry-lemonade pop by mixing 2 pounds of strawberry puree with 1 cup lemonade and 2 tablespoons of honey. Pour into the Zipzicle baggies and place in the freezer for two hours. What we love about these pops are how easily they can be turned into a happy-hour treat; throw in a splash of booze and enjoy a popsicle cocktail. (via Don’t Waste The Crumbs)

Cactus Ring Toss

Ring toss has been around for a while, so we figured it was time for an upgrade. We cut two cactus silhouettes using an X-acto on foam core. Give it a fresh coat of green spray paint and then ad spikey designs with paint pens. Cut a slit halfway from the bottom one cactus cut-out, then on the other, cut a slit halfway from the top. Slide the two pieces together to create a 3D piece. To make it even sturdier, stick the foam cactus into a terracotta pot and surround it with sand to keep it from tipping over. Whoever gets the most rings on the cactus arms is the winner! (via Brit + Co)

What types of decor or cool dessert ideas are on your mind for the end of summer? Share your favorite spring trend ideas with us on Instagram using the hashtags #britstagram and #iamcreative.