Simple Graduation Celebration Ideas for Younger Homeschooled Kids

A preschool or grade school graduation celebration is a valuable moment that can impart the message to children that they should be proud of their schooling, and it gives them a great way to kick off their summer break.

June 17th is the final day of school in Washington State public schools, and while we homeschool and pretty much create our own start and end dates, we have decided to have our summer break coincide with the neighborhood kids so their summer moves seamlessly along with their closest friends here on the block. (Although to be completely honest, our schooling doesn’t ever really “end”, even during summer break!)

I was public schooled from my younger elementary grades (I was not homeschooled myself until closer to junior high), and I remember fondly the excitement of summer break approaching in my grade school years in public school. I remember counting down the days till “the last day of school” and how fun it was when that LAST DAY arrived, the sense of celebration and holiday, and joy and laughter.

I wanted to make sure we did something special to mark the completion of the school year – preschool for Rowan, 1st grade for Thyme and 3rd grade for Tessa. I want them to feel the excitement and joy and sense of celebration that their peers in the neighborhood are feeling. So today we surprised the kids with a small end of the school year celebration!

Whether you’re a homeschool mom in search of a theme for your kids ceremony or end of school year party, or a parent planning your child’s graduation from public school, taking a moment to have a mini celebration is a sweet and fun way to show your kids the importance of this time in their lives.

We kicked off our surprise celebration for the kids with cupcakes with their completed grade numbers on the candles (Rowan’s pre-school “number” was a shark, because, well, why not? haha) and I set out some celebratory cardboard cutouts (I found these at the Dollar Tree) along with some stickers and crafting items to play with so they could show off their skills as they celebrate their achievements.  

Since littlest is starting kindergarten this fall, and my two older girls have been OBSESSED with teaching him his ABC’s, I thought doing an alphabet themed craft would be fun for the kids. I’ve found that by including decorations and crafts and games that feature the alphabet, Rowan is “learning” the alphabet before starting kindergarten, without ever having to be formally “taught”… all while my girls delight in playing “the teacher”.

I was inclined to make this end of year school graduation celebration a bigger affair, but with Fathers Day, my husband’s birthday, a roadtrip to California, two weddings, Fourth of July AND another road trip to South Dakota coming up in the next 25 days (not. even. joking) I decided to make this little shindig simple and sweet. 

Buuuuuut, if you feel so inclined to have a similar end of year celebration on a larger scale for your kiddos, in addition to cupcakes, crafts and cardboard cutouts, you can throw in fun details such as alphabet cookies for the kids to decorate, inflatable letter balloons, or even find large inflatable pencils or other school items for photo props. If you have a larger group or classroom to entertain, you can play a group game of bingo or trivia for extra fun and prizes.

Regardless of how big or small the gesture, it’s well worth the time and effort to celebrate your child’s accomplishment of completing another year of education! 

Special shout out of congrats to all you homeschool moms who made it through another year! (And congrats to your kiddos too, haha!)