With just a couple of weeks of school left, it’s time to start thinking of some fun activities to close out your busy school year. Now that all the exams are finished and big projects completed, the countdown to summer begins, and what better way to spend it with your students than with some of these 48 awesome ideas.
1. Class Memory Book
Reminisce on a productive and cheerful year with this memory book activity. Task your little ones with filling in pages with doodles and words to represent cherished moments they’ve experienced throughout the year. Then, encourage them to present their books to the class to create a heartwarming trip down memory lane.
Learn More: PBS Kids
2. Award Ceremonies
Gather your kids around as you host a friendly and creative awards ceremony. Simply print or create award cards to present to each of your learners. Focus on academic skills like “The Fastest Reader” or incorporate some silly awards like “Most Likely to Forget their Pencil”.
Learn More: Love to Know
3. Our Classroom’s “Person of the Year”
Invite your class to choose a VIP for the day! Tasking them with choosing someone special in their school that they’d like to honor. Then, have them stick a picture of this person on a board before decorating it and adding some words to describe their honoree.
Learn More: Next Lesson
4. Comic Book Summer
Wrap up the year with this imaginative project! Challenge your kiddos to create a comic book strip by showcasing the exciting activities they have planned for the summer. Encourage them to write out their dialogue and then add some colorful doodles to complete their delightful story.
Learn More: Creativity in the Modern Classroom
5. Reflection Questions
Treat your students to some quiet time as they engage in a self-reflection exercise. Prompt them to think about their school year by asking them questions such as, ”What’s an interesting thing you learned in class that you didn’t know before?” or “What will you miss about this class?”. It’s a great way to facilitate personal growth as they prepare for their well-deserved break.
Learn More: Teaching with Jennifer Findley
6. Word Cloud
Add some artistic flair to your classroom with a word cloud! Simply ask your kiddos to provide two words to describe their time in your class. Then, transfer these words to a board to create a colorful bubble filled with descriptions of a fun and educational year.
Learn More: Art Lessons for Kids
7. Kick the Bucket
Kick off the Summer fun in style with this bucket list activity! Invite your littles to make a list of exciting things they’d like to do on their vacation. Allow them to then decorate their lists with crayons, markers, or glitter to add some pizzazz to their Summer to-do list.
Learn More: Muddy Boots and Diamonds
8. Dance Contest
Invite your kids to put their dancing shoes on for this rhythmic activity! Simply begin by dividing them into groups before challenging them to create a short dance routine. Give them enough time to practice before encouraging them to perform their adorable dance for their classmates.
Learn More: Amaven
9. Let’s Eat!
Your little learners are in for a treat with this delicious activity! Encourage them to participate in a game of “Would you Rather?” by having them decide which food wins in a snack vs snack competition. For some added flavor, bring along corresponding snacks that they can enjoy as they play this scrumptious game.
Learn More: YouTube
10. Gift Exchange
Have your students embrace the Christmas spirit as they secretly exchange gifts! Simply start by having them draw names out of a hat to choose which classmate they’ll be providing a gift for. Then, on the last day of school have them bring their gifts before prompting them to reveal who their gift is going to. It’s an exciting way to build up anticipation and cap off the year in an exciting way.
Learn More: The Colorado Classroom
11. Time Capsule
Take your kiddos on a trip down memory lane! Task them with filling a box or a jar with little trinkets or messages that remind them of this past school year. Then, store the container in a safe space before having them uncover their treasures after they’ve enjoyed their holiday.
Learn More: I Heart Crafty Things
12. Take it Outside
Take your pupils to the great outdoors as they participate in a fun-filled games day! Engage them in this outdoor day by having them play multiple games such as a water balloon toss, relay race, or obstacle course.
Learn More: Mrs J’s Resource Collections
13. Growing Together (Seed Bombs)
Encourage your learners to get their hands dirty in this eco-friendly activity! Task them with mixing together seeds, compost, and clay powder to create some seed balls. Then, allow them to dry before prompting them to plant their seeds around the schoolyard or have them take their balls home to do some Summer gardening.
Learn More: Wildlife Trusts
14. Students Become the Teacher
Flip the script on learning with this hilarious activity! Begin by dividing your class into small groups and then give them a portion of a lesson to prepare. Once their lesson plans have been formulated, invite them to dress up in their best teacher uniforms to teach their lesson segment. It’s a cheerful activity that’s guaranteed to evoke some giggles around the classroom.
Learn More: Minds in Bloom
15. Class Video
Calling all future filmmakers! Invite your learners to make up an entertaining skit, comedy bit, or song before prompting them to perform their creative piece for the camera as you record a farewell video that’ll last a lifetime.
Learn More: Googoo English
16. Farewell Recap Worksheet
Here’s an activity that’s great for summarizing your littles’ feelings on an amazing school year! Simply provide them with a farewell recap worksheet before encouraging them to fill in the prompts as they reminisce on their cherished memories.
Learn More: TPT
17. Talent Show
Encourage your little showstoppers to show off their unique talents! Invite them to put on a talent show for their classmates by having them show off interesting skills they may have been hiding throughout the year. This activity will make for a memorable day that’s sure to be filled with wonder and applause.
Learn more: Firstie Land
18. A-Z Reflection
This cute and easy activity makes a wonderful collaborative project for your whole class! Simply challenge them with writing down a word for each letter of the alphabet that represents something they’ve learned throughout the year.
Learn more: Teaching Made Practical
19. Letters to Future Selves
Teleport your learners to the past as they read and write heartfelt letters to themselves! Simply task them with writing a letter to themselves at the beginning of the school year. Encourage them to write about life lessons, personal goals, or even confessions before you seal them away and hand them back to your class at the end of the year for them to read.
Learn More: Smith Teaches 9 to12
20. Create Thanksgiving Headbands
Celebrate your kiddos’ individuality as they get creative with Thanksgiving fashion! Invite them to create Thanksgiving headbands by having them cut strips and leaves out of colored paper. Then, challenge them with gluing their paper together to create colorful headbands that’ll fit snugly on their heads.
Learn More: Crafty Morning
21. Circle of Narratives
Gather your class around for a sharing circle that’s sure to evoke some nostalgia! Encourage them to share experiences from the past year such as a memory they’ll cherish or challenges they’ve faced and overcome.
Learn More: Heart Mind Online
22. Day of Practical Knowledge
Depart from the standard curriculum as you prepare your students for the outside world. Simply take the day to teach them practical skills like how to whip up a simple meal or how to balance a checkbook. They’ll be able to take home some valuable life skills, taught to them by you!
Learn More: Orchids International School
23. Ball and Bucket Bonanza
Here’s a fun game that’s sure to make for a memorable last day of school! Begin by setting up colorful bucket formations before dividing your class up into teams. Then, challenge them with throwing colorful balls into the corresponding bucket. The first team to sink all their balls wins!
Learn More: YouTube
24. DIY Memento Booth
Strike a pose and capture some memories! In this activity, you will guide your pupils in creating a DIY photobooth. Invite them to cut out a big polaroid shape from cardboard before prompting them to go to town with paints, markers, and more as they decorate their photobooth. Once they’ve created their frame, invite them to use hilarious props to strike a pose in their photobooth as you capture the moments with a camera or your phone.
Learn More: The Pinning Mama
25. The Countdown Chain
Countdown to Summer fun with this engaging activity! Task your kiddos with cutting up some colorful strips of construction paper before having them stick each strip together to create a vibrant paper link chain. Proceed by hanging the chain up in your class and allow them to tear off one link each day to countdown toward the beginning of their holidays.
Learn More: Crayola
26. Culinary Yearbook
Get those tummies rumbling in this culinary activity! Simply invite your learners to tell you their favorite family recipes or snacks before organizing each meal into a unique class cookbook that they can then take home for the holidays. For some added flair, invite them to bring along an example of their favorite dish for all to enjoy!
Learn More: Twitter
27. Art in the Open
Pack up your easels and paints – we’re venturing outside! Start by sticking up some name templates on a wall in your schoolyard. You will then prompt your littles to decorate their name templates by having them use paints, markers, glitter, and more – for a day of color and creativity we guarantee they’ll love.
Learn More: Busy Toddler
28. Classroom Jam Session
Create a symphony of sounds right in your classroom with this musical activity! Allow your little brainiacs to bring musical instruments to class on their last day of school. Guide them in creating a song or tune that they can learn throughout the day before engaging them in a jam session to show off their newly learned skills.
Learn More: Local 12
29. Classroom Revamp Day
It’s out with the old and in with the new! In this activity, your kids will play designer for the day as you involve them in redecorating their classroom. Encourage them to switch up seating arrangements, rearrange activity boxes, or even hang up some twinkle lights to create some ambient classroom lighting.
Learn More: NEA Today
30. Park Field Trip
Treat your little ones to an adventurous walk in a nearby park! Engage them in savoring the outdoors as you have them build rock paths or simply allow them to get in touch with their senses as they take in all that nature has to offer.
Learn More: Children First
31. Class Charity Drive
Introduce your learners to the importance of giving back with this class charity drive activity! Involve them in choosing a cause to support. They could collect and donate old clothes to a family shelter or even make treats for a local senior home.
Learn More: Kid Activities
32. Trivia Time
Here’s a fun and educational game that will have your little learners begging for more knowledge! Simply divide them into groups before challenging them to answer interesting trivia questions. Bragging rights will go to the group that gets the most correct answers, so encourage them to do their best.
Learn More: Mom Junction
33. Mathletics Meet
Transform boring numbers into a cheerful experience with a mathletics day! Treat your kids to an active day of learning by having them play engaging number games outside the classroom. Whether it’s number Twister or geometry relays, they are sure to grow their love for all things math.
Learn More: The Community Classroom
34. Chalk Mosaic
Inject some color onto your schoolyard’s walkways with this arty activity. Simply start by laying out designs on the ground by sticking painter’s tape together to create intricate patterns. Then, arm your kiddos with chalk and invite them to go to town as they fill in each shape to create colorful sidewalk mosaics!
Learn More: The Pragmatic Parent
35. Special Guest Visit
This end-of-year activity is sure to be remembered by your students for years to come! Invite a special guest to visit your classroom as they entertain your eager listeners with intriguing life stories and amazing achievements they’ve accomplished. Encourage them to listen carefully and take in all the knowledge your special guest has to share.
Learn More: My News4
36. Classroom Olympics
Transform your classroom into an electrifying Olympic arena! Begin by dividing your kids into groups representing different countries around the world. Then, let the games begin by challenging them to complete various activities such as Olympic tongue twisters and shot put with cotton balls before ending off the day with a momentous foot race.
Learn More: Peas In A Pod Lessons
37. Yoga and Meditation Day
Invite your pupils to take part in a relaxing yoga and meditation day that’s all about inner peace. Guide them in executing different yoga poses, from Downward Dog to Butterfly pose. Afterward, engage them in a meditation session as you encourage them to embrace the quiet around them.
Learn More: Hindustan Times
38. Cultural Exhibition Day
Take your little ones on a world tour without ever leaving your classroom! Allow them to celebrate each other’s cultures by having them dress up in traditional clothing, learn different cultural dances, or even sample some delicious food from around the world.
Learn More: Edutopia
39. Puppeteer’s Parade
It’s curtains up in your classroom as your kiddos create charming paper puppets! Guide them in folding, cutting, and sticking together their puppets using colorful paper. Once their puppet actors have been created, encourage them to bring their puppets to life by telling magical tales.
Learn More: YouTube
40. Scavenger Quest
Send your learners on a hunt for natural treasures! Simply begin by providing them with scavenger hunt lists before sending them off into the great outdoors to see how many items they can discover and cross off on their list.
Learn More: Mums Little Explorers
41. Karaoke Day
Challenge your budding singers to belt out all the right notes with this karaoke activity! Allow them to express themselves as they sing along with karaoke lyrics that you’ll display on a screen.
Learn More: Ace DJ & Karaoke
42. Museum Expedition
Pack some snacks and invite your kids on a trip to your local museum! Encourage them to observe all the interesting exhibits and ask questions as you guide them along. Whether it’s history, art, or science – the museum will offer endless avenues for learning and wonder.
Learn More: More 4 Kids
43. Origami Crafts
Your students will make magical origami creations with just a fold here and crease there! Guide them in making the correct folds to bring their colorful design to life. They’ll easily create colorful animals and objects of all sizes as they embrace this engaging end-of-year craft.
Learn More: Meraki Lane
44. Classroom Carnival
Treat your kiddos to some tasty snacks and games as they enjoy a whimsical classroom carnival! Set up a few exciting games such as the water coin drop, where they’ll drop coins into a container full of water to try and get their coin into a submerged cup. Encourage them to play to their hearts’ content as they enjoy the tasty snacks along the way.
Learn More: The Rocket Resource
45. Poetry Reading
Instill a love for words in your students with this poetry reading activity! Simply task them with choosing one of their favorite poems before having them read it aloud for their class to enjoy too.
Learn More: Read Poetry
46. Aspirations Alive Day
If your kiddos can dream it then they can be it! Invite them to come to school dressed up according to their dream jobs. Encourage them to shoot for the moon with their future aspirations as they transform into firefighters, astronauts, or even teachers!
Learn More: Little Hiccups
47. Friendship Bracelets
Develop the bonds of friendship as your students forge these heartfelt crafts! Task them with creating friendship bracelets out of beads, threads, trinkets, or Loom bands. These thoughtful accessories will make the perfect gift that your kids can share with someone special.
Learn More: Projects with Kids
48. Magical Moments
Prepare to be amazed as your kids put on a thrilling magic show! Simply start by teaching them a few magic tricks. Then, prompt them to practice their new skills before inviting them to showcase their talents in front of their classmates.
Learn More: Mom Junction
34 Progressive Growth Mindset Activities For High Schoolers