Here are some fun ways to cure those back to school mopey faces.

Lucy Riles: Give your children some fun in the sun before school's back in session. Here are some ways to make their final days of freedom fun for all:

Waterworks: Use your pool, a slip and slide, baby pools, the sprinkler, and/or squirt guns for the kids to use -- this will keep them entertained and cooled off in the hot summer heat. Decorate the place with beach balls, bubbles and tubs of water balloons that the kids can enjoy.

The Goods: Serve up kids' favorite finger foods: pigs in a blanket, mini burgers, tater tots, grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit kabobs and corn on the cob. Lemonade of all flavors (and colors) works as a great drink for this kind of event. For dessert, nothing says summer like freeze pops and ice cream. The kids will be running around and will need a quick and easy pick-me-up between squirt gun fights and slip and slide races.

Drying Off: After the kids have had their share of waterworks and it's time to dry off, set up an area in the sun for the kids to have snacks and soak up some sun -- and don't forget the sunscreen. Lay out some towels and hula hoops -- active "hooping" will definitely dry them off before mom comes to pick them up!

Lucy Riles is a party planner and has been since she was a little girl. Being the youngest of 12 children, Lucy and her Mom were always coming up with new, exciting ways to throw a great party on a budget. To this day, Lucy loves planning and hosting parties for others. She is also a newlywed and lives in LA with her husband, Tommy, and dog, Mr. BoJangles.