36 End of School Year Party Ideas
Celebrate the last day of school with an end of year party after school is out for summer. These ideas for an end of year party include games and snacks for best end of school bash EVER!
Capture the moment with our easy printable last day of school signs for photos and count down the days until school is out with this DIY printable countdown calendar.
End of Year Party Ideas
The school year is winding down, and summer is almost upon us once again! Kids are excited for longer days spent in the sun, playing and taking long vacations.
Perhaps you’re looking forward to more family time and day trips you can’t take during the school year.
Or maybe you’re looking for fun ideas you can do in the classroom to celebrate the end of the year!
In any case, an end of year celebration is in order!
but first, let me take a selfie
Printable School Signs for Photos
For your own child or family, or for a whole classroom of kids — our printable first and last day of school signs make for a simple and easy photo memento through the years!
Welcome summer in style with 36 end of school year party ideas to give you some inspiration for a beginning of summer fun after the kids get home.
Decor: End of School Year Party Themes
School Bus Theme
From a table and backdrop made to look like a life-sized school bus, to bus decorated cookies, this school bus theme end of year party is a cute reminder of schooldays.
Pair it with a banner that says “Schools out for summer!” and you’re end of school party will be ready to roll!
Ice Cream Theme
This ice cream party for the end of the year features adorable decor – from paper ice cream cones hanging on the backdrop of the table, to washi tape covered trays! There are cute signs for each station and lots of coordinating paper products that fit the whole Ice Cream Social theme.
Pool Theme
A pool themed end of year party is perfect for welcoming the coming summer!
What makes these decorations awesome is that they are totally functional AFTER the party is over. You won’t pay a dime for extra things you’ll just throw away – just buy summer items (like beach towels, pails and a wading pool) that you would normally buy and use them in unique ways for decor!
Carnival Theme
This carnival themed end of year party is over the top amazing. From a large, big top style tent fabric backdrop, to hand designed carnival graphics printed on paper products, this party has it all going on.
Set up a photo booth with props and few fun attraction booths for everyone to enjoy, roast a few hot dogs and make some cotton candy. You could even do a silly talent show!
“Bright Future” Graduation Theme
If you’re planning a graduation party at the end of the school year, you’ll love this decor! Taking inspiration from the “bright futures” ahead of the grads, there’re pops of neon colors, a sunglasses motif and fresh flowers.
Learn how to make mortarboard graduation hats from scrapbook paper with neon tassels! Whether you’re celebrating preschool, 5th grade graduation or high school graduation, this decor would work wonders for you!
Apple Theme
What says “school days” more than an apple for teacher? This adorable apple themed last day of school party features a black paper background with white writing – reminiscent of blackboards – and a tree adorned with apple cookies.
Learn how to make your own honeycomb apples to hang around the room from One Charming Party.
Beach Theme
Everyone’s looking forward to long days at the beach, so why not bring the beach to your end of year party?
Dollar store beach balls make a cheap decoration and you can serve food from sand pails with shovels.
Toss in some rope, pilings and driftwood and you’ve got some inexpensive, cute summer-themed decor!
Luau & Surfing Theme
The decor for this “Surf Into Summer” end of year party is luau-inspired – with grass table skirts and blow up surf boards everywhere. Bright colors in sand pails and signs nod to exotic locations. Throw in some sunglasses and the kids will love it!
End of Year Party Food
Beach Cupcakes – These adorable cupcakes feature a sunbathing bear, such a cute nod to sunshine and warm days on the beach!
Schoolbook Sandwiches – For a school-themed party, you’ll need some textbooks! All you need are flour tortillas, cheese and deli meat cut into rectangles – then simply assemble and write on them with food coloring markers. Too cute!
Sunshine Cupcakes – Cupcakes are a party must, and these are a cute and delicious symbol of summer. This smiling sunshine will be a perfect addition to your “welcome summer” party!
Beachball Fruit Pizza – You can learn how to turn a fruit pizza into a beachball! If you’ve got a beach or summer themed party, it’s a great treat that’s also healthy. Plus, it’s just as pretty as it is delicious!
“Build Your Own Picnic” – This is an easy and super cute way to host a picnic lunch. With lots of individually packaged options, everyone can pick and choose the elements of their own picnic lunch. Bright labels are a fun pop of color.
Ice Cream Social – The food for this party is all ice cream – tons of toppings, syrups, waffle bowls and cones, and lots of ice cream. Then let everyone build their own perfect sundaes.
End of Year Party Activities
Try these easy and fun last day of school activities in the classroom or when the kids get home!
Welcome Summer Banner Burst – Make a large-scale banner welcoming summer and let the party-goers race through it – bursting into their vacation! All you need is a length of butcher paper and some markers.
Frisbee Tic Tac Toe – This tic tac toe board is made out of a shower curtain! Players toss frisbees, trying for three in a row. It’s an inexpensive and summery outdoor version of the classic!
Outdoor Water Party Games – You’ll find all sorts of inspiration for water-filled games here – like sponge relays, trike and bike wash and water gun filling stations. If your end of school party is outdoors, you may want to include lots of water fun!
Welcome to Summer Outdoor Games – This party included all the outdoor summer classics – like kickball, frisbee, water balloons and blowing bubbles! When in doubt, you can never go wrong with the old standby’s!
Chalk Drawing – Host a chalk drawing party! The whole point of this “festival” is to brighten up the neighborhood with art while celebrating the longer days of summer. It’s a super easy, inexpensive and low-key activity all ages will love doing!
Last Day of School Basket – While this activity was created for family’s to do on the last day of school, it’s certainly something you could alter a bit for a party. Simply leave a basket out with lots of fun summery activities – water guns, water balloons, chalk, bubbles, balls, treats, towels, etc – and have the kids dig in!
Walk of Fame – This activity would be perfect for someone who’s graduating – whether from preschool or high school (or anything between). Just place milestone events on cards attached to dowels or stakes and line the walkway to the party. Guests coming to the party can appreciate the special moments and the guest of honor will enjoy reliving it all.
End of Year / Summer Party Favors
These fun party favors are the perfect end of year gifts for friends at school or to send home from the party.
Sidewalk Chalk – What a cute, practical and fun way to wish your party-goers a happy summer!
Popsicles – Nothing says summer like a nice, cold popsicle! These are a great treat for any age.
Sunglasses – You can’t beat a nod to the 80’s! These are cute and super functional.
Kool-Aid and Crazy Straws – Kids love kool-aid! And they’ll love it even more with a crazy straw.
Swedish Fish – You could use the same phrase and card with fish crackers, gummy fish, or other fish candy as well.
Summer Science Kit – If you want to stay away from sugary sweets and are trying to encourage continued learning, this fun science kit will be a big hit with kids.
Jump Rope – Another staple for long summer days – a jump rope! Inexpensive, active, and fun!
Monogram Chalk Slate – A little chalk spray paint, colored chalk and some chipboard letters creates a unique, one of a kind favor that’s schooldays themed.
Dr. Seuss Bookmarks – These Dr. Seuss bookmarks are a cinch to make and require few materials. They’re colorful and fun; the quote is perfect for little learners.
Fla-mingle Info Tag Pencil Toppers – What a fabulous way to leave your information with friends from school so you can set up play dates!
End of Year Party Invitation Ideas
Smart Cookies – These cookie-themed invitations are so cute! Host a cookie bar to toast your smart cookies – and don’t forget the milk!
That’s A Wrap! – The invitations for this party state a clear theme – candy! Wrapped up in colorful papers and plastic, candy makes for a tasty and decorative (not to mention easy) party.
Carnival Ticket – This adorable ticket shaped invitation to a carnival themed party is just perfect!
Sidewalk Chalk Festival – Here’s a cute and easy invitation to a “chalk festival”. Simply made on the computer and printed out, they’re easy and inexpensive and can be completely customized.
More Summer Ideas for Kids:
Kimberly Mueller is the “me” over at bugaboo, mini, mr & me, a blog that highlights her creative endeavors. She especially likes to share kid crafts, sewing attempts, recipes, upcycled projects, photography and free printable gift tags/cards. When she’s not enjoying being married to her best friend, chasing after the natives (AKA her three kids) and attempting to keep the house in one piece, you can find her with a glue gun in one hand and spray paint in the other. Aside from DIY pursuits, she also enjoys writing, reading, music, singing (mostly in the shower) and the color yellow. Kimberly recently published a craft book entitled Modern Mod Podge. You can also find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin’ and Instagram.
