50 fun and memorable things to do on the last day of school

The last day of school is one of those bittersweet milestones — equal parts celebration and reflection. Whether you’re looking to create joyful classroom memories or start a new family tradition, we’ve got 50 thoughtful (and seriously fun) ways to wrap up the school year.

🎉 Classroom celebration ideas

1. Classroom awards ceremony Create lighthearted awards like “Most Creative Doodler” or “Future Zoologist.” Print certificates or hand-make them with your child to make their classmates feel special.

2. Yearbook message station Help your child bring markers, stickers, and prompts to write sweet messages to classmates. It’s a keepsake in the making.

3. Memory jar activity Send your child with a jar and paper slips. Classmates can write down their favorite memories from the year for your child to take home and reread.

4. Thank you note for the teacher Encourage your child to write a heartfelt thank you note to their teacher. Or, coordinate a class-wide thank you note. Here are some ideas on how to write it.

5. “Dress like the teacher” day With permission, kids can have a little fun dressing in a way that playfully mimics their teacher’s signature style.

6. Compliment chain Kids pass around a paper chain, writing one kind thing about each classmate. Everyone heads into the summer with a major confidence boost.

7. Classroom photo booth Send your child to school with props and a disposable camera or phone tripod. All the students can let their guard down and take fun pictures with one another to commemorate the school year together.

8. Summer bucket list wall Have students write down their top summer goals on a piece of paper and hang them up together on the wall so everyone can be inspired.

9. Decade day dress-up ’70s bell bottoms or early 2000s glam? Pick a decade and encourage kids to dress up and learn a little pop culture history, too.

10. Book swap Kids bring one pre-loved book to the classroom to trade with another student, so they can go home with a new-to-them book for a fun summer read.

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11. Dance party sendoff Ask the teacher to play a curated playlist (kid-approved, of course). Your child can help with the DJ duties.

12. Autograph T-shirt day Have your child bring a plain tee and markers for classmates to sign. Instant memory piece.

13. Paper airplane wishes Kids write well-wishes for each other and fly them across the room — simple, silly, and memorable.

14. “One word” reflection circle Each student picks one word to describe the year. This can be a quick but meaningful activity.

15. DIY time capsule Help your child pack a small box with their favorite school mementos to open next year.

🏡 At-home traditions for families

16. School’s out banner Greet your kids at the door with a handmade banner. If you really want to take it to the next level, then let them run through it after you take a picture!

17. Last day photo shoot Snap pictures with signs like “Hello summer!” or recreate their pose from the first day of school for a great side-by-side photo to see how far they’ve come.

18. Summer goals list Make a list together of what they want to do this summer — from mastering cartwheels to finishing a book series.

19. Surprise snack tray Create a themed after-school board: watermelon wedges, popsicles, popcorn. Take it up a notch with fun labels like “Snack to the future!”

20. Water balloon countdown Pop one balloon per hour after school ends, each with a fun summer surprise or message inside.

21. Make-your-own pizza night Turn dinner into an event with custom doughs, toppings, and maybe even a chef hat or two.

22. Frozen treat taste test Pick out a few frozen desserts to try and rate each of them as you go. Ice cream science? Yes, please.

23. End-of-year interview Interview your child, having them reflect on the school year. Ask questions like “What’s your proudest moment this year?” Save answers to see how they compare to next year.

24. Start a memory book Print photos from throughout the school year and write captions together as you add them to a scrapbook. You can create chapters for each year to create an ongoing tradition.

25. Build a blanket fort Let kids unwind with an epic fort and a stack of their favorite reads. Turn out the lights when night falls and only read with a booklight or flashlight. 

26. Summer scavenger hunt Hide clues around the house or yard with summer-themed goodies as prizes. Turn it up a notch by inviting over friends and splitting kids up into teams. 

27. DIY tie-dye party Grab a few plain tees and create a few different tie-dye designs to let them swirl into summer with bright colors.

28. Read-a-thon picnic Pick out your child’s favorite books, and grab a few new ones along with a few snacks to sit outside for a relaxing afternoon in the shade.

29. Personalized water bottles Decorate reusable water bottles together with stickers or vinyl decals to set the stage for a summer full of hydration.

30. Family “State of the Union” Reflect on the past year together as a family: What went well? What do we want to try differently next school year? Make a list to remember what you discussed so you can refer back to it later. 

🌞 Outdoor adventures

31. Lemonade stand launch Kick off summer with a classic lemonade stand. Let your child set prices and decorate signs — a great way to practice entrepreneurship.

32. Backyard camping You don’t have to go far for an adventure. Pitch a tent, roast marshmallows, and stargaze right in your own backyard.

33. Sunset walk + ice cream Head out as a family for a nice walk and pick a good spot to soak in the sunset. Afterward, stop for a sweet treat.

34. Family sports tournament Either make it a family affair or invite over some friends. Divide into teams or compete individually. Set up mini golf, soccer shoot-outs, or relay races. Winner picks the movie!

35. Park hop challenge Visit a few local parks in one day. Make it a photo scavenger hunt along the way. Recap your child’s favorite parks and activities at each one to plan for a return trip during the summer. 

36. Water balloon baseball It’s messy and hilarious, just like it sounds. Make sure you have towels and dry clothes ready.

37. Sidewalk chalk mural Create a mural together that shouts “School’s Out!” for the whole neighborhood to see.

38. Bike parade Let kids decorate their bikes and ride through the neighborhood with music and streamers.

39. Visit a local splash pad Perfect for little ones — and totally free in many towns. A great way to end the school year and splash into a summer full of fun. 

40. Nature treasure hunt Collect leaves, pinecones, or cool rocks and display them in mason jars for summer decor.

💡 Thoughtful and creative send-offs

41. Donate old school supplies Sort through leftover pencils and folders to donate or reuse. A great way to help instill organization and also encourage giving to others in need.

42. Create summer kindness cards Write little notes of encouragement or “have a great summer!” messages to leave at parks or libraries. A fun anonymous find for anyone who comes across them. 

43. Watch a school-year slideshow If you’ve collected photos throughout the year, compile them into a video to watch together. Take it up a notch with some fun music. 

44. Send a summer postcard Write a postcard to their teacher or friend sharing a happy memory from the school year and one thing they’re excited about for the summer.

45. Make a DIY “time flies” clock Use a paper plate to create a clock with photos at each “hour” from the school year. It helps kids (and parents) have perspective on how quickly time flies, so they can appreciate the moment. 

46. Cook a family recipe together Teach them a dish that’s been passed down — and talk about your own school days while you’re at it.

47. Start a “school year stats” sheet Track fun facts like “Books read: 25” or “Spelling tests crushed: 12.” Save it to compare their progress in future school years. 

48. Flip through old work Go through artwork, journals, and projects from the year and let your child pick a few to save, either in a memory book or to hang on the wall.

49. Create a last day playlist Let everyone in the family pick a song. Dance party optional but encouraged.

50. Plan a back-to-school kickoff Already thinking ahead? Bookmark these back-to-school event ideas for a strong return.

Celebrating the last day of school doesn’t mean you have to be extravagant. It’s all about the memories you make together. Whether you’re saying goodbye to third grade or prepping for high school, these ideas can help turn a simple day into something special.

Looking to keep the learning momentum going this summer? Explore these summer learning activities to stay sharp (and have fun doing it).

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