Preschool graduation is a special occasion, and there are plenty of ways to make the day memorable, from crafts to treats to fun activities. You can have your student show off their hard work to their friends and families through an art gallery setup for viewing that day. Activities like a bubble dance party or a photo booth are also fun ways to celebrate. You can even gift your students with a little something extra special so they always remember their preschool experience. We have plenty of preschool graduation ideas on our list that will be sure to make the day unforgettable!
Preschool Graduation Treats
1. Chocolate Graduation Hat
What’s even better than a graduation cap at your preschool commencement ceremony? How about this oh-so adorable chocolate hat? This particular version uses a Reese’s cup as the base, a chocolate square as the top, and an M&M and Twizzlers Pull ’n’ Peel as the tassel. Be sure to check for allergies and make any adjustments to the ingredients before doing this cute project with your littles.
Learn more: Party Like a Cherry
2. A Healthy Graduation Cap
While the chocolate graduation cap is fun too, this version is just a little bit healthier. We also love that kids can personalize their cups with a silly face.
Learn more: A Thrifty Mom
3. Edible Diplomas
This idea is so simple but so adorable. Grab a few boxes of Ho Hos and wrap some red ribbon around them to create these yummy diplomas.
Learn more: Catch My Party
4. Gumball Graduates
Buy some plastic containers like these and fill them with candy of your choice. Top them off with a cute little graduation cap and hand them out to your favorite tiny graduates!
Learn more: Nobiggie.net
5. Gnome Treat Bags
Since these treat bag toppers are an instant download, they can be made in a pinch. Grab some plastic bags, your favorite candies, and a stapler, then get to work making something special for preschool graduation.
Learn more: Etsy
6. Lollipop Toppers
This idea is equally effective as a craft and a treat! Before doing this craft, you will need to collect as many black bottle caps as you can get your hands on. Then, buy some Blow Pops or Tootsie Pops in bulk. Finally, assemble your little graduation caps and glue them on the pops.
Learn more: Hatter and Hare Events
Preschool Graduation Songs
7. Thank You
This is the perfect song for a preschool graduation since it is simple to learn with poignant lyrics. Family members will enjoy the shout-out to them too!
8. We’re Moving Up to Kindergarten
Is there a better song for preschool graduation than one about moving onto kindergarten? With repetitive lyrics, your students will surely learn this fun song very quickly.
9. From My Heart to Your Heart
If you’re a musically inclined teacher, this might just be the perfect performance for your class since you’ll likely want an adult to lead the kids.
10. On My Way
With lyrics like “I’m proud of me and all I can be!” we think this is a perfectly positive graduation song for your preschoolers. We especially love that there is a dance break built into the song to give your kiddos the opportunity to really express themselves.
Preschool Graduation Crafts
11. A Personalized Graduate Keepsake
This is the kind of craft that parents will want to hold onto for the next 30 or so years. Kids will have fun personalizing their graduates while thinking about what they want to be in the future.
Learn more: Teachers Mag
12. A Graduation Day Certificate
Download a printable like this one or make your own and then have your students fill out an “all about me” interview. Finally, put ink on their hand and have them leave their mark!
Learn more: Make and Takes
13. Graduation Day Paperweight
Go on a nature walk with your littles so they can pick their own rock to use. Once they have their rock, have them paint it a color of their choosing. Kids can also draw a face on it with a Sharpie or glue on some googly eyes. Help your students make the feet and graduation cap or assemble them yourself while they work on their rocks.
Learn more: Preschool Plan It
14. A Graduation Owl
This owl craft is so sweet and perfect as a preschool graduation keepsake. We especially love any project that incorporates those tiny handprints that parents will be sure to look back on years from now.
Learn more: Glued to My Crafts
15. Homemade Graduation Cap
Preschool graduation ideas should include something for the graduates to wear too! Your students will enjoy creating these graduation caps to wear during their big day. You’ll need some paper bowls, card stock, buttons, beads, yarn or string, and elastic.
Learn more: Stay at Home Educator
16. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Craft
Since Dr. Suess’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is synonymous with graduations, it makes sense to base a preschool graduation craft around the beloved story. Read the story to your students, then get to work re-creating this adorable scene complete with a photo of your graduates!
Learn more: Our Kid Things
17. Paper Plate Emoji Graduate
We think this simple craft will be a big hit with your preschoolers since kids love emojis!
Learn more: Glued to My Crafts
18. A Little Graduate
This craft is a perfect excuse to make something adorable while showcasing those cutting skills students have been working so hard on all year. Kids will have fun trying to make their paper graduate look just how they’ll look on their special day!
Learn more: Artsy Momma
19. Popsicle Stick Gnome Graduate
What kind of craft roundup would be complete without including something using Popsicle sticks? These adorable little gnome graduates can be made using just some basic art supplies and this free printable. Preschool graduation ideas that include skills learned during the year are some of the best. Have your students practice tracing and cutting their hands out so they can use them as their little gnome’s beard.
Learn more: Glued to My Crafts
20. Ice Cream–Themed Class Project
Preschool graduation ideas that include the whole class are a perfect way to celebrate togetherness. Have each kid cut out their scoop from various scraps of paper then assemble them into the completed project. We especially love the sweet message in the poem.
Learn more: The Educator’s Spin on It
Preschool Graduation Gifts
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
21. I Wish You More
This book has a sweet message filled with endless good wishes that is perfect for any graduating preschooler. Children and caregivers alike will cherish it for years to come.
Buy it: I Wish You More at Amazon
22. Preschool Autograph Book
Kids will have so much fun signing each other’s autograph book! Teachers will like this gift idea since it reinforces students writing their names—an important preschool skill.
Buy it: My Preschool Autograph Book at Amazon
23. Rubber Duckies
Since little kids love a good bath toy, these rubber ducks will be sure to delight. They are a great gift to buy in bulk since they are so affordable.
Buy it: Mini Graduation Ducks at Amazon
24. Graduation Stole
Preschoolers will be excited to be gifted this stole to wear on their big day. We especially love the cute photo opportunity this will make when coupled with their graduation robe and cap.
Buy it: Preschool Graduation Stole at Amazon
25. A Photo Frame
This picture frame is the perfect way to commemorate your favorite graduates’ special day. We especially love the kid-friendly design—it will be sure to make them smile.
Buy it: My First Graduation Frame at Amazon
26. Buckets of Fun
Since preschool graduation is usually right before the summer months, we think these adorable buckets full of fun are a great gift idea for your little graduates. Fill them with whatever goodies you think your students will enjoy.
Learn more: Lessons 4 Little Ones
Preschool Graduation Activities
27. Photo Booth
Who doesn’t love a good photo booth? Make or buy a large frame and props so kids can really get into their photo shoot with their besties.
Learn more: Pinterest
28. An Art Show
Since kids have been working on their artwork all year long, why not showcase it during preschool graduation? Kids will definitely be excited to show off their work to their friends and families.
Learn more: Learning and Teaching With Preschool
29. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Outdoor Party
There’s nothing better than a theme party, so why not have one for your preschool graduation? Dr. Suess’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! provides plenty of inspiration.
Learn more: Catch My Party
30. Bubble Party
Is there anything kids love more than bubbles and dancing? Combine the two for your preschool graduation and really get the party started!
What are your favorite preschool graduation ideas for 2023? Come share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Also, check out our list of the Best Graduation Songs.
