Kindergarten graduation is such a special occasion (and let’s be honest — photo-heavy) days of the entire school year. Whether you’re planning a for the big day with a formal ceremony or just want a few meaningful touches to wrap up the year, I’ve got you covered! These simple, fun, and teacher-tested kindergarten graduation ideas include editable diplomas, handmade caps, an end-of-year parent gift, and a keepsake memory book that students love filling out.
The end of the year is hectic. Between the hard work of assessments, cleaning your classroom, and managing all the emotions (yours and your students’!), planning a graduation ceremony can feel overwhelming. You want it to be a special time of year for your kindergarten students, but you don’t want to spend hours reinventing the wheel or scouring Pinterest.
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!
I created these editable diplomas so I could type in each child’s name. . Even if you don’t have a kindergarten graduation ceremony planned, these offer a great way to mark the special day! This set includes Pre-K and 1st grade versions too in a black-and-white for easy printing.
You can print the graduation certificate in your school colors or with bright paper.
Celebrate your little learners’ achievements and make them feel special with a variety of student awards. From Super Athlete to Remarkable Reader, these certificates will recognize their unique talents and accomplishments, boosting their self-esteem and fostering a positive classroom environment.
There is no need to order caps, these handmade graduation caps were a big hit with students and parents alike. We used simple construction paper and a bit of glue — no fancy supplies required! You can find step-by-step directions inside the graduation pack. One year I had a high school student come over and help streamline the process by running a craft station. That way EASY!
My proud parents always loved these graduation gifts. Once we have completed our graduation craft, we are ready to pop into the photo booth. We turned our mini grads into adorable keepsakes! I snapped a photo of each of the little graduates in their cap. (This photo shows a fabric cap with a tassel, but they look just as adorable without the tassel.)
These adorable photos make the perfect present for parents or other family members, and I even had one of my students include it in their family holiday newsletter the following year.
You can pop them into a dollar-store picture frame or tie them with ribbon — instant graduate vibes!
This is a simple craft that you can add to a favorite memory writing activity. This is a great way to commemorate their favorite field trips or a special moment your class shared.
They are also a great way to decorate your hall ahead of the graduation ceremonies.
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:
Book covers are customizable so they work well for preschool graduates too! They include:
You can find all of the activities listed above in this resource:
Sometimes during the hectic final days of school you might need an inexpensive, no prep activity!
Want to add even more meaning to your end-of-year routine? Try having your students create thank you cards for school staff! From the lunchroom team to the front office, these cards are a small gesture that make a big impact — and they’re FREE.
Grab the printable cards by entering your email below:
(Psst — some school servers block the download, so a personal email address is best!)
Ready to celebrate your kindergarten grads in a meaningful (and manageable!) way?
Grab some of the ideas I shared for end of year fun!
Let the tassels turn and the memories shine. 💛
My teaching career allowed me to experience teaching in different classroom environments and grades. My heart belongs to early childhood education. My job is to make teaching FUN, ENGAGING, and EASIER. Welcome!
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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.