Graduating preschool is a significant milestone for kids and parents too! It’s a day to be celebrated, and we’ve rounded up some fun ideas to help your preschoolers have a fun and memorable preschool graduation ceremony.

These end-of-the-year preschool activities are sure to become a tradition in your classes.

What to Expect on the Last Day of Preschool

The last day of preschool can be emotional for everyone. With kids going to different schools, leaving their friends, and the preschool teacher that has been a part of their lives for the last couple of years, it’s a big change.

Parents feel emotional about their kids growing up, and kids feel a mix of excitement and sadness all at once.

With all of the craziness, there is still plenty of reason to celebrate. Kids are bound to have a lot of energy and need a way to channel it. So here are some of the top preschool graduation party ideas to help make the day as memorable as possible.

Preschool Graduation Worksheets

Celebrate this exciting time with these preschool graduation-themed worksheets. Students will love completing these color-by-code activities to review preschool skills!

You can check out these Preschool Graduation Color By Code Worksheets in my TPT store!

Preschool Graduation Ideas

Here are some of the best preschool graduation ideas you can incorporate for a lifetime of memories.

PreK Graduation Invitation

First, there’s the pre-k graduation invitation. It’s a must.

What better way to make kids feel special about their big graduation day?

Make it something memorable, like a handprint invitation that your child makes. Not only is it an invitation, but it becomes a keepsake for you as you think back fondly to your child’s younger years.

Kids love being a part of preparing for the graduation ceremony, so this is a great way to help them continue working on their fine motor skills while letting parents and family know about the big graduation ceremony.

Preschool Graduation Party Ideas

Of course, no preschool graduation ceremony is complete without a party! Fortunately, preschool themes are easy to come up with, and preschoolers like almost everything.

Of course, there must be food and drinks. Finger foods are best, as are drinks they can’t spill, like juice boxes for the preschoolers. The students can sing songs to their parents to show off the skills they learned all year while celebrating.

After the food and drink, make sure your party has a fun activity or two for the kids to keep them busy. Parents may want to sit around and talk to their friends, but the kids will have a lot of excitement and energy to use up. If it’s nice out, consider an outside party and have activities like sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and relay races.

An indoor party can be just as fun if the weather isn’t cooperating. Set up an indoor picnic, have coloring stations or stations, and cute preschool graduation crafts with plenty of art supplies. Let kids make keepsakes that will help them remember this fun day.

Preschool Graduation Themes

Creating a theme for your preschool graduation is a great way to make it even more fun. Kids will love helping with ideas, and it all starts with a topic.

Here are some of our favorites:

• When I Grow Up – Let kids create crafts about their future profession, and at the ceremony, the teacher can share with the crowd what the student wants to be when he grows up
• Animals – All preschoolers love animals; showcase your class’s favorite animals from the year in your celebration
• ABCs – Make each letter stand for something from the school year
• We Had Buckets of Fun – Have sand buckets, and inside put some of your students’ favorite memories from the year

Preschool Graduation Decorations

Decorating for preschool graduation is another fun way to make the day even more special. Little graduates love to see graduation decorations just like they’ve seen with the ‘big kids.’

Some fun preschool graduation ideas include:

• Set up a graduation backdrop for fun pictures of the little graduates
• Balloons in your students’ favorite colors
• A large banner that says ‘Congratulations Graduates’
• A poster board filled with your favorite photos from the year
• Centerpieces for the table that can double as favors

PreK Graduation Cake

Preschool graduation ideas wouldn’t be complete without cake! You could have a large sheet cake with the words ‘Congratulations Pre-K’ or ‘Congratulations Class of ‘whatever year they will graduate high school.’

If cake seems too messy or you want something more individualized, graduation cupcakes are a great option. They are easier for the kids to grab, making them feel special because they get their own cake, each with the same decoration.

Have the cupcakes decorated with graduation caps in your class’s favorite colors for a fun way to celebrate this important milestone.

Preschool Graduation Cap Ideas

Any preschool graduate would be proud to wear a graduation cap. You could order ‘real’ graduation caps online or make your own out of cardboard or construction paper.

Students won’t focus on what they’re made out of but, instead, will feel proud to wear a cap they know the big kids wear. If you have time, make a craft out of it in class and let the students decorate their cap with their favorite character, favorite memory, or a saying they loved from school.

This can be another adorable keepsake from their special day.

PreK Graduation Pictures

No big day is complete without pictures to serve as memories. So you should include preschool graduation photo ideas in your plans.

A backdrop inside the school is a great way to encourage students and their parents to take pictures of their little one’s graduation. Think of it like a photo booth. It can be a great way to encourage photographs with their favorite friends.

As they move on to kindergarten, many children will go to different schools, so the pictures will be even more important to them as they go in different directions, but always remember their special time with their first friends. It’s a great way to remember this time in your child’s life.

Preschool Graduation Crafts

Preschool graduation crafts are a fun way to remember the day and to keep the students busy. Once you’ve eaten and talked a bit, kids are sure to get antsy, so channeling their energy into fun preschool graduation crafts is a great way to end the day.

Here are a few fun ideas:

• Print out a picture of a graduate and let the students color them
• Make or print out images of a hot air balloon, put a picture of each child in it, let them decorate it, and complete it with the words ‘Oh, the Places you’ll Go.’
• Find free printables that say ‘My Favorite Preschool Memories’ and let the students fill them out
• Print out a preschool graduation poem and let kids put their handprints at the bottom of the poem for a keepsake

Read More: Free Printable Preschool Worksheets For Teachers

Preschool Graduation Speeches

It’s usually a good idea for the teacher to give the preschool graduation speeches, but that doesn’t mean you can’t include the students in the fun.

As you call each child to the podium to recognize them, ask them a couple of questions. Some might not talk because they are too shy, but others will gladly grab the microphone and answer your questions. Some may have even more to share. Letting kids in on the fun is a lighthearted way to help them remember this special day and is usually a big hit.

PreK Graduation Songs

Preschool is all about songs, so one of the best preschool graduation ideas is to let the kids show off their favorite songs, or you can teach them preschool graduation songs for the ceremony and party.

A few favorites include:

• ‘We’re Moving up to Kindergarten’ by The Orchard Enterprises
• ‘Graduation Song for Preschoolers’ by Little Story Bug
• ‘I’m Big’ by Wayne Potash

Preschool Graduation Diplomas

Of course, no preschool graduation ceremony would be complete without preschool graduation diplomas. You can print certificates online, make your own, or order already-made diplomas online. Kids won’t care what they look like – they care that they get a diploma just like the big kids.

Preschool Graduation Card and Gifts

I think the best preschool graduation gift is a keepsake from the school year! You can easily put together an adorable photo album to give students. You can learn how in this post: The Best End of Year Gift for Students.

If you are a parent wanting to celebrate the graduate here are a few gift ideas:

• Books about going to kindergarten
• A new backpack for their big journey
• A new lunchbox
• Chairs, blankets, and other items to make a reading nook
• A favorite toy

Additional Tips for Executing a Perfect Preschool Graduation

Planning a preschool graduation ceremony and party can be exciting, but planning will help make it perfect. You’ll likely spend hours planning the big day. Here are a few simple tips:

• Plan it far in advance and let parents know right away so they can get the time off work
• Set a budget for the event or ask your principal what funds are available
• Let the kids be front and center with songs, sharing their favorite memories, or showcasing their artwork
• Create a slideshow of the year to share all the hard work and fun the kids accomplished throughout the year

FAQs

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from readers!

Why Do Preschoolers Do Graduation?

Having a preschool graduation program might seem silly, but it makes kids feel special. They’ve accomplished something huge by leaving mom and dad for the first time and learning independently. It’s a time to remember, and a graduation ceremony is the best way to do it.

What Do You Write in a Preschool Memory Book?

You can write anything you want in a preschool memory book. Write it down when your child says something funny or the teacher shares a story with you that you don’t want to forget. It might seem pointless now, but you’ll be grateful for it when your child is older.

What Do You Say at Preschool Graduation?

It’s always fun to talk about the funny things kids did throughout the year and their accomplishments. Highlight some of the class’s favorite memories, and let the parents know how much you’ll miss their kids and how capable they are of doing great things.

Final Thoughts on Preschool Graduation Ideas

The school year is something to celebrate, whether it’s high school or preschool. These preschool graduation ideas can help make your preschoolers feel special and show them how important school is and that all accomplishments are celebrated.