Graduation ceremonies are an important part of marking major milestones in our students’ lives graduating from preschool is an important one! Make the end-of-year feel extra special for your littles with some of these preschool graduation activities. Here are 40+ ideas including songs, crafts, memory books, and more to help celebrate this momentous occasion!
1. Chocolate Graduation Cap Snack
If you don’t have time to make graduation cap cupcakes, these are a fun alternative. Simply use icing to piece together Ghirardelli chocolate squares and Reese’s cups. Your students can then top the squares with a Twizzler tassel and M&M button, and ta-da- they’ll have an edible grad cap!
Learn More: Party Like A Cherry
2. Handprint Graduation Owl
This simple craft is a lovely graduation-day keepsake. Simply print the cute bird print and paint your kids’ hands with washable acrylic paint before having them stamp them onto the print to form wings. Now your littles are ready to spread their wings and fly on off to the next grade!
Learn More: Glued To My Crafts Blog
3. Graduation Song
Singing is a great way to liven up graduation festivities! While this song was written with kindergarten in mind, it can be pretty easily adapted to make it work for your preschoolers, as well!
Learn More: The Nature Of Grace
4. Here I Come
This graduation poem is a sweet keepsake for your kids’ parents at the end of the year. Essentially all you need to do is print the poem and have your students add their handprints or a special picture at the bottom to commemorate their special year.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
5. Preschool Printable Keepsake
This printable is a great way to get a snapshot of your preschool students at the end of the year. You, or a parent volunteer, can ask your students the questions and write down their responses. Then, they can finish things off by tracing their own hands and attaching a little photo to their sheet.
Learn More: Fun Handprint Art Blog
6. Sidewalk Chalk Photo
Illustrate with chalk on the pavement the future plans or ambitions of your preschoolers and then have them lay next to the art to be photographed! You could also have your students illustrate their dream careers themselves as part of a last-day-of-school activity.
Learn More: Shutterfly
7. Graduation Mason Jars
These adorable DIY mason jar crafts are a great idea if you’re looking to hand out favors to your accomplished kiddos. To bring them together, fill each jar with chocolate, cover the lid with a construction paper hat, and finally attach a cord and paper tassel.
Learn More: Shutterfly
8. Photo Backdrop
Enhance your preschoolers’ graduation ceremony by creating a simple photo backdrop with streamers, signs, and– maybe even a few props! Your students and their parents will love the chance to capture special memories with their friends and loved ones on this special day!
Learn More: AlphabetU
9. Sunglasses Favors
We love the message that’s attached to these sunglasses- “My future is so bright I have to wear shades.” It’s a wonderful pre-ceremony gift for your graduates- particularly if the ceremony is outside!
Learn More: Staying Close To Home
10. String Poem
This little poem is a great way to commemorate how much your little ones have grown. At the end of the school year, cut a string to the height of each of your students. Have them tie it in a bow and attach them to these printouts. Your students can then present these cards to their parents as part of the ceremony proceedings.
Learn More: Lessons 4 Little Ones
11. Addams Family Graduation Song
This graduation song to the tune of The Addams Family can be easily adapted for preschool and is a fun addition to any graduation ceremony. Rehearse it with your kiddos so that they can perform it as a memorable send-off for their families.
Learn More: YouTube
12. ABC Farewell
This little poem can be included in memory books, performed by your students, or read as part of the graduation ceremony. What a great way to capture the fundamentals of their year!
Learn More: Lessons 4 Little Ones
13. Graduation Playlist
No graduation is complete without good music! Here we’ve chosen some of our favorite tunes to help you set the scene for an uplifting and fun ceremony.
Learn More: Time 4 Kindergarten
14. Treat Bag Toppers
Top a bag of globe-themed chocolate with a quote from Dr. Seuss. Alternatively, choose from other adorable printables to personalize your graduation favors!
Learn More: A Little Claireification
15. Graduation Crayons
Make a cool eco-friendly gift for your preschool graduates with these graduation-themed crayons. Simply melt down old crayons and pour them into candy molds. After placing them in the freezer for a few hours, they’ll be ready to use all holiday long!
Learn More: Catch My Party
16. School Supply Cake
Use school supplies to assemble a “cake” as a fun centerpiece for your graduation table. At the end of the night, your students can pick out a few items to take home as favors and use the following year in kindergarten.
Learn More: Catch My Party
17. DIY Graduation Caps
A preschool graduation program wouldn’t be complete without graduation caps! Use some simple craft supplies like paper bowls, card stock, and yarn to help your kiddos create their own caps.
Learn More: Stay At Home Educator
18. Graduation Fruit Cups
These snacks are a healthy and adorable option that your kids can help assemble for the graduation party table. Start by having them turn a fruit, jello, or applesauce cup upside down. Next, they’ll add a cap and some googly eyes to transform their snacks into a preschool grad!
19. Candy-Dipped Marshmallow Diplomas
These mini-diplomas are too sweet! Have your kids stack several jumbo marshmallows on a skewer and dip them in white chocolate. Allow them to harden and then get your littles to wrap them with a red fondant (or Twizzler) bow.
Learn More: Edible Crafts
20. I Wish You More
This beautifully illustrated book is full of good wishes and a heartfelt message. It’s a great story to send your preschoolers off to kindergarten with!
Learn More: Burke Decor
21. We Will Rock You
Sung to the tune of “We Will Rock You”, this is sure to be a hit with your preschool graduates and parents alike. Have your little learners perform this live at their graduation or videotape it to send home to their parents as an adorable keepsake.
Learn More: YouTube
22. Grinning Graduate Bulletin Board Idea
Have your kids draw a self-portrait of them on graduation day, cap included! Then, they can paste on a sheet where they can write or draw their favorite memory. What a fab idea for your end-of-the-year bulletin board.
Learn More: Lessons 4 Little Ones
23. Editable Graduation Certificates
Celebrate your graduates with these adorable certificates! We love that they can easily be edited to fit specific categories or specific pupils. The end of the year is such a busy time so with these certificates at hand, life will be made that much easier; giving you all the more time to enjoy the last few weeks of fun with your littles.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
24. Preschool Memory Books
Preschool memory books are a great way to commemorate classroom activities, adorable photos that were taken throughout the year, and lots of other memories. You could even include notes from parents,l, artwork, memories from field trips, and song lyrics among other things.
Learn More:Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
25. Time Capsule
Let’s capture memories! Guide your students in creating a class time capsule; filling it with cherished photos, artwork, and dreams. Then, have your kiddos share why each item is special to weave together a tangible connection to their past year.
Learn More: Coupons are Great
26. Graduation Slideshow
How about a digital photo compilation of your little ones’ preschool memories? Assemble a graduation slideshow that dances through photos, videos, and all of the magical moments that will surely make everyone smile.
Learn More: YouTube
27. Graduation Speech
Give your preschoolers the stage! Encourage each of your students to present their preschool memories in a short graduation speech. Their words will not only showcase their unique experiences but also build their confidence.
Learn More: We Have Kids
28. Friendship Bracelets
Making friendship bracelets is a simple activity with the end result resembling the connection that your class has built over the year spent together. Using string and some cut-up colorful straws, your learners can piece together a wonderful keepsake that can be exchanged with one of their buddies.
Learn More: Teach Preschool
29. Message In A Bottle
Invite your little ones to share their heartfelt messages with their classmates. Have them draw pictures or write words that can then be placed in a bottle and gifted to one of their friends. You can assign each child another student so that everyone goes home with a secret message in a bottle.
Learn More: YouTube
30. Paint A Class Mural
If you can’t get permission from your administration department for this activity, you can draw a large mural on butcher paper. The idea is that your kids will collaborate to paint a classroom mural to commemorate their collective preschool journey!
Learn More: The Art of Education University
31. Teddy Bear Picnic
Your preschoolers will love being a part of a teddy bear picnic! Gather the teddy bears, spread the blankets, and let the fun begin. This is a great way to end the year in a social way where your kids can reminisce on the special memories shared throughout the year.
Learn More: The Zoo Factory
32. DIY Diplomas
This will be the first diploma of many for your preschoolers, so this activity will be a mark of their growth and a symbol of triumph! Using a paper towel roll, white paper, tape, and ribbons, they’ll be able to craft their own graduation diplomas.
33. Personalized T-Shirts
Wearable art, anyone? Encourage your kids to express themselves on white graduation t-shirts. As they design, doodle, and decorate, they’ll create a keepsake to celebrate their special preschool years.
Learn More: Me Shirt Kits
34. Write A Class Book
A classroom book that has a page dedicated to each student will remind everyone of their preschool friends! Each student will be tasked with drawing a self-portrait and filling in some simple prompts. Once complete, make copies of all of the pages so that each child can go home with their own special book.
Learn More: Easy Peasy and Fun
35. Decorate Graduation Mortarboards
Caps off to creativity! In this activity, your students will personalize their graduation mortarboards as they please. Encourage them to detail their favorite memories and momentous accomplishments in the process.
Learn More: Hallmark
36. Plant A Class Tree
Symbolize your students’ growth by planting a class tree. As the tree grows, so shall they! We love this living testament to their shared journey!
Learn More: Florist Kid
37. Life-Size Graduation Portraits
Your kids are sure to get a kick out of these life-size graduation portraits! First, you’ll need a piece of butcher paper as long as each of your kids is tall. Then, you’ll have them lay on their backs as you trace the outline of their body with a pencil. Finally, your kids will get to use markers, crayons, or paint to add clothing and features to their portraits. They’ll then roll them up and take them home after graduation!
Learn More: Taming Little Monsters
38. Handprint Tote Bags
We think these handprint tote bags are a nice gift for your graduates to present to their parents after the ceremony! Starting with white tote bags, your kids can place painted handprints on the bag before adding designs and painting images that their parents will love!
Learn More: Nifty Mom
39. Create Your Own Graduation Medals
Medals of honor, crafted with love! Let your students shape graduation medals, symbolizing their triumphs and joy. Providing them with ribbons and paper cutouts, they can piece together their awards before finally writing about their achievements on top!
Learn More: YouTube
40. Handprint Graduation Banner
This banner isn’t just decoration; it’s a joyful testament to classroom unity! Your little ones can make it by placing their painted handprints on a poster that displays their graduation year hanging between all of their little hands. Your kids’ parents will tear up when they see this hanging at their graduation!
Learn More: Twinkl
41. Class Photo Collage
Memories, framed and cherished- just how we like ‘em! Place all of your student’s school portraits on one page to print and hand out to parents at their graduation ceremony. This collage is an awesome way to celebrate every smile that made up your classroom!
Learn More: EDIT.org
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