It hardly seems possible that it’s back-to-school time, with early mornings, packing lunches, and homework looming ahead, but before that happens, there’s one more long weekend to enjoy. Here are a few ideas on fun ways to end your vacation.

• Go to the opening of the new Greenway Carousel on Saturday, August 31. The new custom-built carousel is a one of a kind creation with 14 different characters native to the land, sea and sky of Massachusetts. Inspired by the drawings of Boston school children, the animal characters are uniquely Boston: a lobster, harbor seal, sea turtle, fox, peregrine falcon and even a grasshopper to match the symbol on top of the weathervane at Faneuil Hall. Kick-off is at 10 a.m. at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Afterwards, enjoy some time on the Greenway. Splash in Rings fountain, browse at the open air artisan market, or get a snack at one of the many food trucks.

• The musical production of The Jungle Book at the Huntington Theatre Company opens September 7 at the Huntington Theatre Company and the theatre has cleverly teamed up with Zoo New England. On Saturday, August 31, Jungle Book Day will feature Jungle Book-themed activities including zookeeper encounters, where visitors can learn more about some of the animals featured in Rudyard Kipling's stories; a scavenger hunt through the zoo; interactive storytelling by Huntington teaching artists; face painting; a coloring contest; and more. At Franklin Park Zoo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Story hour: 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; zookeeper encounter at 1:30 p.m. at the Tiger exhibit.

• You may have seen some interesting sculptures around Boston and not known what they were. The Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet is a public art exhibition designed to raise awareness of solutions to climate change.  There are 49 giant globes displayed around the city, including Copley Square, the Esplanade, Boston Common, New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, and Logan Airport. The globes are designed and painted by different artists, tackling various environmental themes. See how many you can find (hint: 26 are in Boston Common). It’s a great way to start a discussion about the environment with your kids, not to mention public art. If you’re kids get inspired to make their own globes, here are instructions on how to make a paper mache globe using recycled paper.