Have you ever had trouble thinking of how to celebrate the end of the school year? Finding last day of school ideas to surprise your children on a whim can be really challenging.
But don’t worry – you can find all sorts of fun things to do for last day of school activities.
In this post, we’ll outline the steps you need to take for end-of-year activities to get started.
Discover favorite memories, fun activities, and board games for the last day of school! From streamers and treats to easy-to-follow proven methods, delve into tips and advice from parents and teachers to make the most of this special day. Reflect on the past year and set the stage for summer fun with these creative ideas.
Parents and teachers: The Best Last Day of School Ideas
There are a few reasons you might want to celebrate the end of school.
First, it’s an important part of parenting. The accomplishments of your children should be celebrated since they put so much effort into their homework, schoolwork, and after-school activities.
Second, to avoid hurt feelings. This can prevent disappointed children. It might seem as if you don’t care if your kids are always watching what all the other Pinterest moms are doing. Especially if they are looking forward to it.
And third, to establish a stronger bond with your child. Whenever a child receives praise and rewards, it boosts their self-esteem and gives them time to cherish childhood memories. Once they become parents, they will also want to share these traditions with their children.
Sharing ideas about how to make the last day of school extra fun is our favorite thing to do. It doesn’t matter what grade elementary, middle, or high school your kid is in if they love math if they hate to read if they take virtual classes all day or sit in a classroom all day, making the last day of school activities special is always appreciated by them.
Last Days of School Countdown Activities – 5 Easy Methods
Kids are getting restless, and teachers are counting down the days until the end of the school year. With these easy steps, I will teach you how to make the Last Day of School extra fun.
Explore the best last day of school traditions for kids and helpful ideas for parents and teachers to create lasting memories for the end of the year!
Here are five popular methods:
#1 – Countdown Calendar
Plan a spirit week countdown calendar featuring PJ days, dress-up days, popcorn/movie days, and inspirational messages.
#2 – Balloon Pop Countdown
This activity involves writing different activities on slips of paper and putting them inside balloons you display in the classroom. Students pop a balloon each day and complete the fun activity inside.
#3 – Chain Countdown
A chain link countdown is similar to the field trip paper chain or balloon pop countdown, but instead of balloon pops, it uses chain links. Construction paper sliced into small strips and woven together creates a playful concept to ignite excitement in kids as they approach the finish line.
#4 – days of Celebrating You
In the last days of school, a teacher celebrates the accomplishment of one student in her class every day. You could also do this by creating a scavenger hunt, stem challenges, or another great idea would be creating a memory book.
#5 – Elementary ABC Countdown
With 26 days left in school, you can take advantage of the time to do academic twists and review your alphabet using Alphabet Countdown Ideas.
As an example, you could have the children bring in their favorite things such as a stuffed animal for letter A (Animals) or make paper airplanes for letter A (Airplanes).
My 10th grader, my fourth-grader, and my 7th grader are all so eager to be done with homework, and I am too! LOL. In reality, the last day of school party ideas is a fun way to be in the holiday spirit, no matter the grade level.
It an easy way for 1st grade, future students, incoming students, graduating seniors, or celebrating your child’s accomplishments at the end of a school year.
End of School Year Activities: 5 Effective Tips
Make the last week of school memorable with an ice cream party! Add to the fun by making a bulletin board filled with a sticky note sharing the best moments from the past year. It’s a simple yet enjoyable way to reflect on memories and look forward to the next school year.
1. Begin Summer Break by Making a Banner
This way, your student can anticipate summer vacation with a fun surprise. You get to run through the banner or streamers as you get off the bus, and it’s a great way to wrap up the school year. It’s important to have lots of different banner ideas, so they don’t get bored. If they’re not motivated by a sign, try using silly string instead.
Banner Tip!
As an alternative to a banner, these streamers are a lot of fun to run through – and let me assure you, I am 100% serious. This year I am using them again. In general, I use two of my children’s favorite colors or the school’s colors to foster school spirit.
My role as a mom and foster mother is to make the final day of school special for my kids. It is a fun idea and a way for me to show my kids how proud I am of them, and I want to make sure their hard work does not go unnoticed.
Every school year, I try to make learning fun and reward my kids for their hard work with activities such as getting off the bus and knocking down a fun DIY to start Christmas break.
Another fun idea for things to do on the last day of school is to break a banner made of streamers. As well as, we like to invite students from the neighborhood to share in the last day of school activity too.
2. Surprise Your Child With the Last Day of School Sign
First and last day of school signs are trending on social media. Every mom is trying to get their sign to be bigger and better. Don’t worry in this blog post we share a good way to do this in a busy time of year.
For optimal results, having a creative sign with a memorable message is key. Moreover, ensure the sign is easily visible from the road, so when students exit their car or step off the school bus, it adds to the excitement of the experience.
For example, when my son graduated from pre-k (Preschool ideas) and when my daughter finished kindergarten. During the last day of school, I decorated our porch with a last day of school sign that read, “School’s Out for Summer!”
I also added colored circles I got from Dollar Tree (I used painter’s tape–it won’t peel the paint off!)
As an added treat, I put silly glasses, coloring books, and stickers in the chairs as well as balloons to make it feel like a summer party.
3. Oh, the Places You’ll Go
What are some ways to celebrate school year memories? Are you familiar with the book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go? This is a book from Dr. Seuss that your child’s teacher signs every year throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school. The book makes for a fun graduation present.
4. Last Day of School Activities: Surprise Pool Float
If you live in a beach town or have a pool in the backyard consider surprising them with a pool party. The great thing is going to five and below and picking up super cheap and creative pool floats. If you are super busy and don’t have time to get out and need to shop online you can easily find best selling swimming party toys here.
Here is an example for the last day of class for my middle school students. I picked up pool floats (inflated them) and attached Five and Below gift cards. After they got off the bus, we had five inflatables that made quite a splash!
Get your hands on a pool float that is out of this world! Grab this UFO pool float here before they sell out!
You could also try using water balloons instead. When you do not own a pool at home, this will be a great way for you to cool off, create summer excitement, and even popular games with friendly competition.
5. The Best Last Day of School Shirt Ideas
The last day of school t-shirts is available at all price points, whether you make them yourself or have them customized. You can get your classmates to sign your shirts or ask for their autographs if you arrange a fun shirt signing.
The best option is to wear white t-shirts or old shirts. A permanent marker works best for this, but it’s completely optional.
Different personalities exist in the class, so make sure the teacher is aware of the signatures to ensure the messages are appropriate.
Having teachers sign the backs of your shirts is also a great keepsake – choose one marker and keep it with you throughout the day. You may even get the principal to sign it.
Here are some ideas for students and teachers for what to include on the front of your t-shirt design:
- Peace Out School
- Out of Third Grade
- Summer #HappyLastDay
- I Love You All CLASS DISMISSED
- Happy Last Day of School
- Teacher Mode OFF
- It’s the Last Day Y’ALL
- Straight Outta High School
- Dear Parents, TAG! YOU’RE IT! Love, Teachers
- We Out. – Teachers
People Also Ask
When Does Summer Start?
In the summer, we typically have a half-day and a field day on June 1 because that is our last day before summer break begins. You can use the community-academic calendar to determine when your child’s 4th quarter ends. Each district has a different calendar, so the last day of the 4th quarter will vary.
How to Create a Summer Bucket List?
Summer is a great time to engage your kids in learning. You can create a summer bucket list by doing the following: 1. Ask your kids for their input. Involve your kids in the process. 2. Try to limit your screen time and add things to your list like going for walks or going to the park instead. 3. Free printable bucket lists can be found on Google. 4. Keeping a summer journal or diary is another great way to document your summer.
What do students do at the end of the year?
How about the last day of school celebration that will knock your child’s socks off? Your children could be greeted with a WELCOME TO SUMMER water balloon fight right when they get off the bus! In fact, I will give you some creative ideas for implementing this idea. Take a look at these Zuro Bunch O Balloons here! Just 60 seconds is all it takes to fill these 350 water balloons! How cool is that? Tip: Place the water balloons in a sandbox or lid that is empty. Here’s an example!
Last Weeks of School before Summer Break
Furthermore, it’s convenient to fill up these balloons because you get so many with the bunch! Making a trail from the bus stop to the backyard or water fight location would be fun.
The balloons near the bus stop could even be used to spell out a word. Shorter words might work best.
Furthermore, you can even buy Dollar Store buckets that you can add the children’s names to with a black marker. Then, fill them with balloons. Your student will be ready to play when they get off the bus!
Summer Excitement Dance Party
At the same time, it’s also important to include a dance party on your list of summer activities because most kids find it very enjoyable. The last time we had a dance party it was with a bunch of high schoolers for my daughter’s birthday.
It was an exciting time because she celebrated with her closest friends, they played their favorite songs, and walked down memory land going through the past school year and looking at pictures online and I a picture book.
Free Last Day of School Celebration Ideas
Looking for free or inexpensive activities to do with your kids to celebrate? Here are a few ideas that can be free or almost free by using things likely to be found around the house.
- Make a park trip fun by having your child’s favorite doll or stuffed animal waiting for them in the car.
- Surprise the kids when they get home by inviting family or friends.
- Prepare a special dinner and add a homemade card.
- Try your hand at an ice block adventure.
Last-Day-of-School Activities
Here is an easy way to create a last-day-of-school activity on how to make DIY ice creations crafts for the summer months for kids.
Fill 1/3 full of water with small toys; place them in a bowl.
After the water has frozen, add another 1/3 of cold water and a few more small toys and repeat until the bowl is full and all of the toys are frozen.
With this simple DIY craft, you can come up with a brilliant idea that is free.
Last Day of School Sign Ideas
I look forward to creating new celebration signs every year for my kids! Adding party signs definitely adds some pizzazz to their summer parties. I like to add a theme or color like it’s their own personal concert or game day!
A suggestion for a for an outside sign, a home window, or a vehicle is sure to be helpful. Here are ten ideas to get you started.
- Welcome To Summer
- School’s Out For the Summer!
- 3rd Grade Here We Come!
- School’s OUT!
- No More Homework!
- You Did It!
- Hello Summer!
- Another School Year Down!
- Last Day, Hooray!
- Happy Last Day of School
How to Decorate Vehicle
How to dress up your vehicle for the last day of school. A fun way to surprise your child is to decorate your car when picking him or her up from school.
With these chalk markers, I wrote fun things on the window, such as Congrats, grad! Streamers and balloons were also inside the van.
As they looked inside, their faces lit up. It was cute to see.
It’s certainly a fun thing to do after school for your kid!
Last Day of School Photo
I love seeing photos side-by-side of my kids from the first to the last day. My favorite photos are the ones of my kids wearing the same outfit they wore on their first day of school. It’s often funny and hilarious to see them in outgrown shirts or pants. When we see them like this, we both laugh, and of course, posting them online is fun.
Summer Break Celebration Ideas
It is my sincere hope that at least one end of the school year idea will help you to celebrate your student’s big day!
Whatever grade your child has reached, whether they are in Pre-School, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, or beyond.
It’s so easy to jump start summer with last day of school party ideas. Just by surprising children with something as simple as a water fight, a last day of school sign, or a silly string game. As your children grow, these will be valuable memories and traditions that they will pass on to their children.
Check out these water balloon fight tips you probably didn’t know! At Simply Kinder, you’ll find more creative alphabet countdown ideas! Check out this post from ideas by Jivey for a balloon pop countdown freebie. Create a cloud countdown with a chainring with this free printable from Bright Concepts 4 Teachers. Last but not least, see back to school ideas that you cannot miss!
Conclusion
Whether it’s high school, junior high, high school, or even college graduates every student deserves praise. Celebrating accomplishment should be a regular tradition for last day of school with fun party ideas.
There is nothing wrong with having a family party at the end of the year instead of having friends over. Kids love to be noticed and praised for their achievements.
Whether it is streamers, balloons, or silly string, make it a day to remember.
A small token of appreciation will encourage them to carry the tradition on for their kids. As an added bonus, you will be the coolest parent in your neighborhood.
Best wishes for your summer vacation!
How do you typically celebrate the last day of school?
The countdown calendar feels sad, but as they say, everything comes to an end.
i love this idea. its a big day for them!