End of Year Kindergarten Activities + Graduation Ideas
- By Deedee Wills
- Updated on May 12
- 3 Comments
Table of Contents
Fun End of the Kindergarten Activities
The last few weeks of kindergarten are packed. This post covers the activities and ideas I actually used to close out the year: memory books, diplomas, simple parent gifts, and a few things kids ask to do again every year. You’ll be able to look at this list and pull something off for next week without a lot of prep.
My school hosted a formal graduation ceremony, but perhaps your school does not. Let me share what worked for me and my students.
I understand what it is like when you get to the end of the school year. Everyone is tired, so you need activities that are easy and worth your time
Here’s the good news: You don’t need elaborate decorations or expensive materials to make your kindergarten graduation day meaningful. These ideas are quick to prep, low-cost, and high on charm — with printable resources you can use year after year!
Why End of Year Activities Matter in Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a big deal. For a lot of kids, it’s the first time they’ve really done school. That’s worth acknowledging before you send them off for the summer.
A few intentional activities at the end of the year:
- Give kids a real sense of what they accomplished
- Create something families actually keep
- Help students feel the year had a real ending, not just a stop
- Connect back to the growth you’ve watched happen since September
You don’t need a big production. A couple of well-chosen activities do the job.
Kindergarten Graduation Ideas
DIY Kindergarten Graduation Caps
No need to order caps. These handmade graduation caps work just as well and kids love making them. Construction paper and glue. That’s it.
The step-by-step directions are inside the graduation pack. One year I had a high school student run the craft station while I worked with small groups. That made the whole thing manageable in one morning.
Printable Kindergarten Graduation Certificates
Every kid deserves something to hold at the end of kindergarten. Printable graduation certificates are easy to customize with each student’s name and hand out at your ceremony or on the last day. They look polished without a lot of work on your end, and families actually keep them.
Pro tip: Print diplomas on cardstock and roll them up with a ribbon for an extra-special touch.
You can print the graduation certificate in your school colors or with bright paper.
End of the School Year Special Awards
Personalized awards are worth the small amount of extra time they take. Ask each kid what they’re most proud of from the year and you can match their response with something just for them.
Some of my go-to categories: Magnificent Mathematician, Creative Thinker. Fabulous Friend. Kids remember these.
I prefer these types of recognition awards vs the “best ____________.”
Kindergarten Graduation Photo Booth
After we finish the graduation craft, I take a quick photo of each kid in their cap. That’s the whole photo booth. One photo, cap on, done.
Parents love having it. I’ve had families use the photo in their holiday newsletter months later.
Frame it, tuck it in a card, send it home with the diploma. It works as a gift without any extra shopping.
End of the Year Activities for Kindergarten
End of Year Kindergarten Crafts
The construction paper graduation cap is the craft I come back to every year. Kids make it themselves, it costs almost nothing, and it holds up well enough for photos.
Once the caps are done, I pair the craft with a memory writing activity. Kids write about a favorite field trip or something that stood out to them from the year.
The two pieces go together well and you end up with something worth keeping.
They are also a great way to decorate your hall ahead of the graduation ceremonies.
End-of-Year Kindergarten Memory Book
This might be my favorite part! Our Kindergarten Memory Book lets students reflect on their year, their friends, their favorite things, and what they’ve learned. These memory books have spaces for students to document the most memorable moments! There’s also a version called “On the Last Day of School” if you want something a little different.
The book includes different pages, so you can easily customize based on your students’ needs and time constraints. You will find:
- I will remember my friends.
- I will remember my favorite classroom subject
- I will remember my favorite school lunch. (Favorite food is heavily swayed in the direction of pizza)
- I will remember my favorite book.
- I will remember the fun we had at recess.
- I will remember the best school day ever!
- I will remember my teacher. (Cue: big tears)
Book covers are customizable so they work well for preschool graduates too! They include:
- Last Day of PreK
- Last Day of Kindergarten
- On the Last Day of School
Kindergarten Graduation Coloring Pages
The last few days of school are chaotic. Coloring pages are one of those things you pull out when you need everyone occupied and you have nothing left in the tank. No prep, no copies to sort, no materials to gather. Print and go. These graduation-themed pages fit the moment without feeling like filler.
Last Week of Kindergarten Activities
The last week of school is its own thing. Assessments are done, kids are wound up, and you’re cleaning out your classroom in between everything else.
These activities are low prep and easy to pull off when you’re running on fumes.
- Glow Day: black lights, neon colors, glow-in-the-dark activities
- Movie and pajama day
- Scrapbook or journal pages to document classroom favorites
- Class vote activities: favorite lunch, favorite book, best recess game
- Read-aloud favorites: go back to the books they loved most this year
Free Kindergarten Graduation Printables
Make your end of year kindergarten activities even more memorable! These FREE thank you card printables let students show appreciation for the school staff who supported them all year long, from the lunchroom to the front office.
A small gesture with a big heart.
Deedee Wills
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3 Responses
Thank you for these cool idea! That diploma will give my kids a big surprise.
When I type the names into the diplomas they are too far up and I am unable to change the font size, any suggestions?
Kym
Hi there!
Yes, you have to download the file and save them on your computer. THEN close all of your internet browser windows NEXT open the file. It sounds like you are trying to edit them in the Adobe app. They should work.