Woohoo! It’s finally here—the last day of school. While most kids are going to be super excited, others may have mixed emotions. Make your last hours together extra special with some of these fun last-day-of-school activities, and send your students into summer with fantastic memories of the school year behind them!
1. Stage your own classroom Olympics
What better way to wrap up a great year than with your very own version of the Olympic Games? Your kids will love the pomp and circumstance, from the opening ceremony and challenging events to the winners on the medal podium.
Learn more: Classroom Olympics
2. Read end-of-year read-alouds
Teacher Brenda Tejada knows that the end of the school year is a time of mixed emotions. “Students have worked hard all year and are almost at the finish line,” she says. “Some may be excited for their summer vacation, while others may feel anxious to say goodbye.” Her book list and accompanying activities are a sure bet to help ease the transition.
Learn more: Books That Are Perfect for the End of the Year
3. Hold a rousing trivia contest
Kids love a good round or two of trivia, and online sources make prepping a trivia contest easy and customizable. Check out the resources below. Or go old-school and check out our huge selection of trivia questions.
Learn more: Hilarious Online Trivia Games for Kids at Let’s Roam and 100 Trivia Questions for Kids in all Grade Levels at We Are Teachers
4. Chalk it up
Grab those buckets of sidewalk chalk and head out to the playground! Encourage students to draw memories from the past year, write shout-outs for friends and staff members, or just draw for the pure joy of creating something.
Learn more: Awesome End of the Year Activities
5. Take a meaningful walk
Teacher Courtney G. shares: “The kids from our high school wear their caps and gowns and walk the halls in their elementary school the day before graduation. They go from kindergarten to fifth grade as the students stand in the halls and clap. The fifth graders also do this on the last day of school before they leave elementary school. This is my sixth year teaching kindergarten at my school, so my first kinders are now fifth graders. I’m probably going to cry!”
Learn more: Grad Walk
6. Make Genius Hour presentations
Genius Hour, sometimes called Passion Pursuit, in the classroom is an opportunity for students to explore their own unique interests in a loosely structured but supported way. On the last day of school, let each student teach the class what they have studied and learned.
Learn more: What Is Genius Hour and How Can I Try It in My Classroom?
7. Play Classmates Bingo
It’s one last chance for students to learn a little something new about their classmates! Grab a free printable with get-to-know-you clues at the link, or design your own to better fit your class.
Learn more: End of the Year Bingo
8. List what you’ve learned from A to Z
What a great way to look back over what kids have learned! For each letter of the alphabet, have them write and illustrate something they learned or did throughout the year. Hit the link below to get a free printable template for this project.
Learn more: What I’ve Learned A to Z
9. Set up summer pen pals
Before you break for the summer, pair your students up as pen pals. Gather students on the rug and talk about what being a pen pal looks like. Draw names and let each pair spend some time together brainstorming ideas about what they’d like to write about.
Learn more: Summer Pen Pals
10. Go to the beach
Or rather, bring the beach to you! This will take some planning and prep, but kids are seriously going to love it. Get all the tips you need at the link.
Learn more: Beach Day
11. Pass the plate
Pick up a pack of paper plates and give out some colorful markers. Have each student write their name in the middle of the plate, then start passing! Each student writes complimentary words to describe their classmate, then passes it to the next kid. They’ll each end up with a sweet keepsake for the school year.
Learn more: Pass the Plate
12. Do a legacy project
According to the teacher team at Minds in Bloom, a legacy project is a lesson that students create, from objective and materials to procedures, to share with next year’s students, like this fun science project.
Learn more: Legacy Projects
13. Make ice cream
Ice cream parties are popular last-day-of-school activities, but here’s a sneaky way to add some STEM learning to the fun: Have kids make their own ice cream in a bag, then add some toppings and lay it out on the grass to enjoy.
Learn more: Ice Cream in a Bag
14. Make friendship bracelets
Load up on embroidery floss and let your students loose! They’ll love creating a keepsake that reminds them of this special year every time they look at it.
15. Build roller coasters
STEM challenges make terrific meaningful and fun team activities for the last day of school. Try building a DIY roller coaster from drinking straws, or check out lots of other STEM challenges here.
Source: Roller Coaster
16. Give pop-up toasts
Here’s a chance to practice public speaking in a low-key way. Buy some ginger ale and plastic champagne glasses to turn class into a party. Then have kids compose and give a short toast to their friends, teacher, school year, or any topic you choose.
Learn more: Pop-Up Toasts
17. Set up game stations
Set up game stations and give students time to rotate through each station. Try games like Marshmallow Madness, Scoop It Up, and more at the link below!
Learn more: Game Stations at Minds in Bloom
18. Host a lemonade tasting
There’s all kinds of tasty learning worked into this totally sweet idea! Kids taste pink and regular lemonade, then make graphs, write descriptions, learn vocab words, and more.
Learn more: Lemonade Tasting
19. Do an in-house service project
Organize your students into teams and leave your school better than you found it. Weed the school garden, write thank-you letters to school staff members, pick up litter outside, help take down hallway bulletin boards. Or see if specials teachers (music, art, P.E., library) need any help getting organized for the end of the year.
20. Compete in a paper airplane contest
You know they want to be outside, so take advantage of that and hold the ultimate paper airplane competition. Kids compete in multiple categories, like distance and accuracy, to find the overall winner.
Learn more: Flyin’ to the End of the Year
21. Serve up a scoop of memories
What a sweet way to celebrate the end of the school year! Make paper ice cream sundaes, with a different memory on each scoop. You can have kids draw these themselves or buy a printable version at the link below.
Learn more: Ice Cream Scoop Memories
22. Set up a photo booth
Photo booths are popular for the first day of school, but they’re terrific for the last day too. Help kids capture memories with their friends before they part for the summer.
Learn more: Student Photo Booth
23. Wear a Last Day of School crown
Little ones will love coloring and cutting out their very own Last Day of School crown. Check out the link below to buy the printable, or design your own.
Learn more: Last Day of School Crown
24. Create a summer bucket list
Provide kids with lots of options, then have them compile their own bucket lists for the summer days ahead. In addition to fun items, encourage them to add ways to help others or learn something new.
Learn more: Summer Bucket List
25. Put the year in a bag
This has to be one of the most fun and meaningful last-day-of-school activities. In the days leading up to the final day, have kids give some thought to what symbolizes this past school year to them and place their ideas in a labeled paper bag. On the final day, they’ll give the other students a small token of that symbol and explain their thinking. (They don’t need to buy anything; they can write or draw their symbol instead.)
Learn more: Year in a Bag
26. Take a book-themed museum walk
For this project, students create a project that provides a sneak peek of one of their favorite books. They can create posters, dioramas, trifolds, or even dress up as a main character. Give students a couple of weeks to prepare their project at home, then hold your museum walk on the last day of school as a grand finale to the year.
Learn more: Museum Walk
27. Conquer an escape room
Kids love escape rooms, so they’re great activities for the last day of school. Theme yours to what you’ve learned during the year, facts about different classmates, or summer activities. Learn how to set up a classroom escape room here.
28. Dance up a storm
If you’re looking for fun last-day-of-school activities that get kids moving, hold an epic dance party! Consider having each class submit a song selection for the playlist. They could even choreograph their own special dance moves for when it comes on! We’ve also got fantastic end-of-year playlist ideas for you right here.
29. Send your wishes soaring
Follow the tutorial below to make paper kites with your students. Have each student write down their hopes and dreams for the future (or alternatively, their favorite memories of the school year) on their kites, then go outside and have a launch party.
Learn more: How To Make a Kite
30. Go on a scavenger hunt
Scavenger hunts can be not only educational but also a blast! Click the link below for creative scavenger hunts to use in the classroom or send home with students for the summer. To get started, download these free scavenger hunt worksheets.
Learn more: Free Scavenger Hunt Ideas
31. Play last-day-of-school charades
Reminisce about what a fun school year you’ve had together with a rousing round of charades. Create cards from categories including academics (math, reading, social studies, etc.), experiences (field trips, assemblies, special days, etc.), or anything else you want kids to remember about your year together.
Learn more: How To Play Charades
32. How about a little drama?
Skits are a fun, easy, and low-prep way for kids to use their imaginations. Check the link below for 10 silly, age-appropriate skit ideas.
Learn more: 10 Funny Skit Ideas for Kids
33. Create scrapbooks
The last day of school is a bittersweet time. Give your students some time to reflect on and write about their experience so they can hold onto favorite memories.
Learn more: End of Year Memory Book at Teachers Pay Teachers
34. Have an autograph party
This little autograph book is the perfect addition to your end of year activities. Your kids will love signing their name for all their friends.
Learn more: End of Year Autograph Book at Teachers Pay Teachers
35. Play Math Raffle Ticket
Students work in partners or groups. Math problems are projected and students solve them together. For every correct answer, they receive a raffle ticket. Prizes are awarded at the end.
Learn more: Math Review Game: Raffle Ticket
36. Belt it out with classroom karaoke
Push the desks to the edges of the classroom (after you’ve cleaned them with shaving cream—see #41, blow), and let your little songbirds loose! Or divide your class in half and have a sing-off.
Learn more: Kids Karaoke on YouTube
37. Make welcome brochures for next year’s students
Have your students create brochures for next year’s students, telling them all about the fun things they’ll learn, experiences they’ll have, and all the best parts about your grade. At the start of next year, you can set a brochure on each desk as a welcome present for your new crew.
Learn more: How To Make a Paper Brochure
38. Rate the teacher
Discuss with your students what makes a great teacher, and then have them rate you! Their comments will help you grow. They’ll feel honored you listened to their feedback, and you can demonstrate a growth mindset right in front of your own students.
Here’s how to get the look: Rate My Teacher Survey at Teachers Pay Teachers
39. Have a juggle-fest
Check out this great video tutorial on juggling, then head outside to practice! Your students’ laughter and cheers will be a great memory to take away from the last day of school.
Learn more: How To Juggle with Josh Hartman via YouTube
40. Play board games
Whether it’s cooperation, strategy, academics, or just fun, there’s a game for that. And what could be more perfect for the last day of school?
Learn more: Best Board Games for Kids, According to Teachers
41. Clean desks with shaving cream
Tackle those filthy desks and make it look like play. Believe it or not, shaving cream is one of the best ways to get desks looking brand-spanking clean, and kids love it! Plus, check out more ways to clean your classroom.
Learn more: Shaving Cream Desk Cleaner
42. Have a glow party
A glow party is a super-fun way to celebrate the last day of school. Get out your black lights and pass out the glow sticks. Details in the link below.
Learn more: How To Host a Glow Day in Your Classroom
43. Have a bubbles day
The last day of school is all about fun, and what’s more fun than bubbles? Blow bubbles, write about bubbles, even indulge in a little bubble gum.
Learn more: Bubble Fun Day
44. Play Minute To Win It games
These clever games are really fast-paced and fun for both students and teachers.
Learn more: Low-Prep Minute To Win It games
45. Hold a “Trashketball” tournament
Looking for a fun way to review materials that is easy to set up and super fun for your kids? Then Trashketball is the game for you. And what better way to wrap up the last day of the school year than a review of all the fun subjects you learned about?
Learn more: Trashketball
46. Produce a volunteer talent show
And the key word here is volunteer. Not every kid is a natural ham, but almost every kid in your class probably has a talent that, with a little coaxing, they could share.
Learn more: Unique Talent Show Ideas
47. Hold a puzzle competition
See who can assemble a jigsaw puzzle the fastest.
Learn more: Jigsaw Puzzles We Love at We Are Teachers
48. Have a water day
Celebrate the last day of school with a splash! Check out the super-fun activities at the link below. And of course, what better way to end water day than with Popsicles?
Learn more: Splashtastic Water Activities at We Are Teachers
49. Do a read-in
Your kids worked really hard this year. Why not reward them with a read-in day? Invite them to bring cozy blankets, stuffed animals, and, of course, their favorite books. Then laze about the classroom and get lost in a good book.
Learn more: Celebrate Success With a Read-In
50. Set up STEM stations
Encourage learning all the way through the finish line! Use the link below to find a whole array of amazing activities to set up as stations for some hands-on fun.
Learn more: STEM Stations
51. Set up art stations
You provide the supplies and your students bring their imaginations. Put on some fun music, set up art stations, and let them create!
Learn more: Art Stations
52. Put together a time capsule
A super-fun project to commemorate a great year together. Kids can fill it with mementos from the year, words of advice, favorite memories, and more.
Learn more: How To Make a Class Time Capsule
53. Create a pom-pom drop
Use cardboard tubes and tape to create a vertical track on the wall. Then drop pom-poms (or small balls) and see if they can make it all the way through. If not, make adjustments. Split students into groups and make your tracks in a large space like the gym if possible.
Learn more: Pom-Pom Drop
54. Host a poetry slam
Slam poetry is a unique form of expression that allows students to perform meaningful works of poetry in front of their peers. Give students a heads up and time to practice before the last day of school, then hold the slam as the culminating event.
Learn more: 25 Slam Poetry Examples
55. Play old-school recess games
These oldies (but goodies) to play with your kids on the last day of school will leave you feeling nostalgic for sure.
Learn more: Old-School Recess Games
56. Give each other a pat on the back
Pair students up and have them tape a piece of paper to each other’s backs. Once everyone is ready, give students time to mingle and write a positive comment or compliment on each of their classmate’s sheets. What a heartwarming keepsake to wrap up the school year!
Learn more: A Pat on the Back
57. Honor every student
End-of-year awards have been around forever. But instead of making it a competition for a chosen few, here’s a way to include everyone. Recognize academic and social-emotional skills with these fun colorful certificates.
Learn more: 50 Free Printable Awards for Students
58. Head off on a virtual field trip
Just didn’t have time (or money) to get around to that great field trip you had in mind? No problem! Get out the popcorn and kick back with a fun and interesting virtual field trip.
Learn more: Amazing Virtual Field Trips
59. Hold a book swap
What better way to prepare your students for summer reading than with a student-recommended book? Give students (and parents) a heads up a couple of weeks before the last day of school, asking them to bring in a gently used book that they would recommend. (Be sure you have a few extra books on hand just in case.) Draw numbers and let students choose or play the white elephant gift-swap game.
Learn more: White Elephant Gift Exchange at White Elephant Rules
60. Make fireworks T-shirts
These fun and colorful T-shirts are easy to make, and they take on a tie-dyed look over time. Perfect for the Fourth of July and all summer!
Learn more: Sharpie T-Shirt
61. Tag a graffiti wall
Graffiti walls are an awesome way to encourage kids’ creativity. Why not give them free rein to record their favorite memories from the school year on the last day of school?
Learn more: 20 Engaging Ways To Teach With Graffiti Walls at We Are Teachers
62. Brainstorm a list of summer activities
Send your students home for summer brimming with ideas for summer fun and learning. Either make a class poster with contributions from everyone or have each student create their own.
Learn more: Summer Activities
63. Have a classroom cleanup
Cleaning out your classroom at the end of the year may be a dreaded task, but it’s much easier with lots of hands to help. Assign tasks to students to make the process more efficient, or even turn it into a game! Students can do things like pick up trash, wipe their desks, take down bulletin boards, and organize bookshelves. Be sure to have a fun activity planned as a reward.
Learn more: Classroom Cleanup
64. Set up a writers workshop
Try this activity if your group loves writing. Set up writing stations directions such as: Create a scene from a play, write a story about you as the president, write a poem about your favorite season, create and describe your own brand-new holiday, etc. For extra fun, have a different snack at each station, and every so often take a break to share a few stories they’ve produced.
Learn more: Writing Prompts at We Are Teachers
65. Make it a Yes Day
It seems like the average day in the classroom involves way more no’s than yes’s. Make an exception and declare the last day of school a Yes Day.
Learn more: Yes Day at Teachers Pay Teachers
66. Declare a silly-string battle
Super fun and totally harmless. Right before you send them off, let the silly string fly! This school even involved their student resource officer.
Buy it: Silly String
67. Take the road to adventure
Read Wherever You Go by Pat Zietlow Miller and ask your students to think about the next road they want to take to new adventures. Then have them create posters showing their dreams.
Learn more: Road to Adventure
68. Hold a color parade
Ask your students to wear their favorite color to school on the last day of school—head to toe if possible. Then have a parade around the school grounds. If the whole school can participate, have each class dress in a different color. Add zany accessories and have a blast!
Learn more: Color Parade at Rock Hill Schools
69. Compare “All About Me” answers
This is such a poignant activity if you had your students fill out an “All About Me” paper in the fall. Give them a fresh copy and have each student fill theirs out. Then, pass out the ones from fall and let them see how much they’ve changed or stayed the same.
Learn more: All About Me Worksheets
70. Put together a year-in-review timeline
This is a fun (and educational) way to do a walk-through of your year together with your students. Tip off your students the day before and ask them to come to the last day of school with ideas.
Learn more: End of Year Time-Lines and Top 10s
71. Do origami
Paper folding is so much fun! Take an ordinary square of paper and turn it into a bunny or a bear or a silly face. Let kids sit with friends and create to their heart’s content.
Learn more: Simple and Super Fun Origami for Kids
72. Write thank-you notes
There are so many people that contribute to our kids’ education. Aside from the classroom teacher, you have the librarian, nurse, specials teachers, principal, custodian, and others. Take a few moments at the end of the year for your students to write to their favorite staff member and spread some feel-good vibes around the building.
Learn more: Examples of What To Write in a Teacher Thank You Card
73. Get creative with a round of Pass the Sentence
This is a well-known classroom game. Give each student 30 seconds to start a story with one sentence on a piece of paper. When the timer dings, have each student pass their paper to the student on their right. Now students have 30 seconds to add the next sentence to the paper they’ve been handed. Do as many rounds as you’d like. Then have the original author read the story that has developed from their beginning.
74. Build bridges
Team kids up to design and build the strongest and longest bridge out of Popsicle sticks and model magic to span desks in the classroom.
Learn more: STEM Bridge Challenge
75. Try these “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” activities
Dr. Seuss’ inspiring book Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is an end-of-year favorite for many teachers. Use it to inspire your students to think about their goals and possible pathways for the future. For this idea and more, check out the link below.
Learn more: Best “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” Activities at We Are Teachers
76. Have a class picnic
Nothing breeds companionship like sharing a meal. Hold a class picnic on the last day of school and let your kids enjoy each other’s company one last time.
Learn more: Our Class Picnic
77. Celebrate summer birthdays
Summer birthdays can be a bummer for kids who like to celebrate with their classmates. Why not have one big birthday party on the last day of school to include everyone? Try one of the fun ideas at the link below.
Learn more: Celebrating Birthdays at School at Lucky Little Learners
78. Have a movie day
The promise of a movie on the last day of school is a great motivator to inspire the best behavior from your students those last few weeks. Let your kids choose the movie, and on the last day, supply the popcorn and enjoy!
Learn more: Spectacular Summer Movies for Kids
79. Tell jokes
Celebrate the last day of school with a few laughs! We’ve got a whole list of super-silly summer jokes for kids.
80. Plant the seed for service learning
Your students are going to (hopefully) have some free time on their hands this summer. Encourage them to spend at least a portion of it helping others. Better yet, challenge them to (and even join them in) a 30-day service challenge.
Learn more: Meaningful Service Learning Ideas for Kids and Teens
81. Rock out!
Set the tone for a celebration on the last day. Try one of these awesome playlists and have a dance party, or use the music as a background for some fun activities.
Learn more: Apple Music Playlists for the Classroom
82. Use these last-day-of-school printables
Looking for quick and easy last-day-of-school activities? Download these free printables and let your students choose the ones they like best.
Learn more: 10 Free Printables To Celebrate the Last Day of School
83. Start an end-of-year tradition
Start a new tradition that you love to end the school year with. We were inspired by a teacher that took snips of his beloved spider plant and started new plants to give to each of his students at the end of the year.
Learn more: Teacher’s Plant Tradition
84. Play math games
One sneaky way to keep the learning going, even on the last day of school, is with fun and engaging math games. Set up stations and let kids choose which ones they’d like to play with their friends.
Learn more: Math Games for Every Grade Level
85. Make bookmarks
As kids head off for summer, reading a ton of books is hopefully high on their to-do list. Get them excited for it by making some of these adorable bookmarks.
Learn more: Adorable DIY Bookmarks
86. Go outside and play!
It may not officially be field day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a few of your students’ favorite activities on the last day of school! Take a peek at the list below and revisit a few of your favorites.
Learn more: Best Field Day Games and Activities
87. End the year on a kind note
Download these free worksheets and sow the seeds of kindness in your community.
Learn more: Free Bundle of Kindness Worksheets
88. Try some drawing tutorials
How-to drawing books are always a big hit with kids. Here, teach your students how to draw a dragon, step-by-step. See the other fun options below.
Learn more: Draw a Dragon, Draw a Cat, Draw a Dog
89. Do a playground cleanup
End the year with a good deed. Give your students compostable bags and send them off to clean up the playground and fields around the school. Set the reward for the cleanup as a Popsicle party!
90. Set them up for summer reading
Share this free roundup of our must-reads for kids. Print the list off and send it home with students to give them inspiration for summer reading.
Learn more: 100 Famous Children’s Books Every Child Should Read (Plus, Free Printable)
91. Do yoga
Have a last-day-of-school yoga party. Push all the desks to the sides, or better yet go outside. Make it easy with the free printable cards below.
Learn more: 15 Easy Yoga Poses
92. Just chat
Sometimes the best gift we can give our kids is just time to be together. Give your kids a lot of freedom on the last day. Let them sit with friends, let them talk more than usual. Try to have at least one meaningful exchange with each student to savor over the summer.
93. Invite families in
Open up the classroom the last hour of the day and invite families to sit in your final classroom meeting. Be sure to have a talking stick on hand so everyone doesn’t talk at once. Go around the circle and let each student and their parent/caregiver share one highlight or something they’re grateful for from the year.
94. Hold relay races
Relay races are a fun, mildly competitive activity that kids love. Go outside for a little more space, or see if you can reserve a time slot in the gym.
Learn more: 30 Creative Relay Race Ideas To Try
95. Take a hike and make nature bracelets or crowns
If the weather cooperates, get outside with your kids! Take along a roll of masking tape and put a bracelet of tape on each student’s wrist, sticky side out. As you hike, encourage students to add beautiful leaves, berries, or flower petals to their bracelets. To make crowns, simply use card stock to shape a crown, then stick tape to the outside and proceed as above.
Learn more: Nature Bracelets
96. Make giant snowflakes …
You may be wondering what giant snowflakes have to do with the last day of school and beginning of summer. Well, nothing! But that’s what lands them on our “unexpected” list of activities for the last day of school. Plus, they make fun parting gifts.
97. … or giant flowers
OK, flowers would be more seasonally appropriate. And they also make beautiful parting gifts.
98. Do a round of shout-outs
Print and pass out these colorful shout-out cards. Then give students time to really think about who they’d like to say thank you to. Once everyone is done, circle up and have students read their cards aloud. Or if you’d rather, collect the cards and read them for your students.
Learn more: Student Shoutouts
99. Learn and create handshakes
If you’re looking for no-prep last-day-of-school activities, watch this fun video. Then pair students up and let them create their own version. At the end, have each pair perform their handshake for the class.
100. Say goodbye for now
Last days of school can be bittersweet, that’s for sure. End on a sweet note with this sweet tale. Or try one of these 10 End-of-Year Read-Alouds.
Buy it: Goodbye for Now
Loving these fun activities for the last day of school? Take a look at these end-of-year assignments and activities for every grade.
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