Kindergarten Graduation Ideas

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You can make sure that your child feels that he or she has accomplished something great by throwing a kindergarten graduation party.

You often hear proud parents talking about their high school or college graduates. It is true that those young adults have passed an important milestone that deserves celebration. But what about your own child, who is about to graduate from kindergarten? Surely that step is also an important one that should be acknowledged. After all, kindergarten marks the passage into the real, full-time school career. It may be a chance to give the children a feeling of success and a reward for their hard work.
Kindergarten graduation ideas are not nearly as involved as the ones needed for teenagers and young adults, so you should not worry. This can be a simple graduation ceremony with a great party afterwards
Throwing a graduation party for small children is no more stressful than throwing a regular party for a birthday or other social event.

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Ceremony

A ceremony is a fantastic way of recognising the graduates achievement. Getting a sense that they have achieved something pretty big, and there is a celebration, is good grounding for the future. It is also great fun coming up with kindergarten graduation ideas, perhaps even a theme for the event like patriotic.
With Caps and Gowns on the little graduates can receive their diplomas in front of family and friends. This is a very proud moment and the most wonderful photo opportunity.

A truly fitting way to mark the end of Kindergarten and look forward to Grade School.

You could also have lots of special awards, certainly enough to make sure everyone gets one! The kids will just love coming up to collect their award.
Consider:

• Helping others
• Good listener
• Learning numbers
• Learning words
• Reading
• Learning colors
• Writing well
• Learning shapes
• Washing hands
• Contributing
• Good teachers helper
• Good manners

and lots more kindergarten graduation ideas such as learning to tie shoes.

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Simple kindergarten graduation ideas ceremony could be:

• Set up a stage or table for teachers, honored guests and place the diplomas in order on it.
• Set up an aisle for the kids to walk down. The parents can take lots of great photos.
• The children can put on a short program. They could sing their favorite song, recite the Pledge Of Allegiance, recite the alphabet, and sing perhaps a goodbye song.
• Call out each child by name and give them a diploma tied with a ribbon.
• Perhaps arrange a photo area with a professional background for the parents to take lots of photos. Maybe even include a flag in the photo area.
• Perhaps a few short words from a teacher and a parent. Even better if you can have a local celebrity say a few inspiring words to the kids.

~~ Kindergarten Graduation Ideas ~~

To make simple caps use black construction paper. Cut a piece 9" by 9" for the top. Next cut 2 equal pieces 4" wide and 12" long. Join them together and, sizing for each child, tape them to the square top.
To make simple gowns simply cut a black bin liner to open it out flat and then cut a strip part way in from both side at the top to make ties.

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Party Planning

There is a lot to do so a good plan is essential.

The kindergarten graduation ideas details that need to be arranged include:

• Budget, this is vital as it determines the extent of the party. However if everyone pulls together and supplies food, decorations, prizes and their time, it is very possible to have a great party on a small budget.
• Venue
• Date
• Bookings for caterer, photographer and entertainment
• Guest list
• Menu
• Theme for the party
• Invitations
• Preparation
• Music
• Helpers
• Guest speaker
• Decorations
• Design the photo area and arrange the decorations
• Diplomas - arrange a diploma for each child with their name on it.
• Activities on the party day
  

A party in conjunction with the Kindergarten should be simpler to organise but still needs to be well done. The kindergarten will have lots of party ideas.

See the Party Planning page for a full plan.

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Venue

The venue for the Kindergarten Graduation Party can be at Home, at the Park, Kindergarten , School Gym, YMCA, Community Center, Soft Play Center or a local hall. Hiring a tent if you have a large group is one option. If you do choose a tent then you would need to hire it as early as possible.

Also consider great venues that can enhance a theme. How about a Museum, Craft Shop, Farm, Zoo, Aquarium or even a Planetarium.
Perhaps an entertainer can lead to theme kindergarten graduation ideas. For example a Magician giving a magic theme, a Clown giving a Circus theme, or a Puppet show.

Each venue has it's own merits, but will depend on the budget you have.

Consider the likely weather if you are intending to use the Park. It can offer the chance to have brilliant outdoor games, great fun and there is something exciting about it for the kids. Be clear to have a safety plan, particularly for an outdoor party at a park. Each child must be safe and seen at all times. Also be sure you have proper toilet facilities.

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Speeches

One simple thing to keep in mind is to keep any speeches of any kind very short. Remember, your audience will have a short attention span.

This is a lovely group of kids, parents and teachers. So, warm thanks, praise, glowing tributes to the little graduates, a fun emphasis and simple langauage are best.

Make sure the teachers get a mention as they will have given the kids a lot during their time together.

If you can, name each little graduate and give some praise for their efforts.

Brilliant if you can have one of the kids heroes come and give an inspiring talk and stay to sign autographs and answer questions.

Click here for free kindergarten speeches, tips and techniques.

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Food

As far as kindergarten graduation ideas for food and refreshments are concerned, most kids will enjoy a simple menu consisting of some sort of cake and punch or juice. They do not require as sophisticated a menu as graduation parties for older children. It is tempting to serve too much food, but bear in mind the kids will only eat so much. Use small plates. Have prizes for clearing the plate and helping to tidy up.
Keep in mind that the set-up of a kindergarten graduation party is similar to that of a birthday party because that sort of event is the type that kids find fun and that keeps their attention engaged.

You might also set out chips and fruit or possibly simple sandwiches for the parents to enjoy.

Other great items are:

• Hot Dogs
• Mini Pizzas
• Cubes of cheese
• Cocktail sausages
• Sandwiches in interesting shapes made using a cookie cutter
• Carrot Sticks
• Fruit bowls, such as grapes, apple, pineapple and banana
• Coconut
• Mini boxes of raisins
• Ice Cream
• M&Ms.

There does not necessarily need to be a meal for the kids.

Kindergarten graduation ideas, especially food, are centered on giving your special children a good time and making them feel proud of their accomplishments. The children will be glad of acknowledgement and not concerned with a party of elaborate nature.

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Party Day Preparation

The party day does need a good schedule of events. You will need it to get through everything.

• Plan can include time for a ceremony, the first play part of the party, when each game will roughly occur, when the food will be served and when the party will start and end.
• Know exactly which games will be played and when
• Have the music, prizes, helpers and materials ready in advance.
• To help make your graduation party ideas work, arrange helpers such as parents, childminders, or siblings. Need a good ratio of helpers to kids.
  Each helper should know exactly what they have to do.
• Have the favors ready in advance, and in running order, with names on the bags.
• Know exactly who is helping to clear away afterwards.
• Keep a note of the kids who get awards, to make sure everyone gets something.
• Signpost the toilets
• If the party is at a park be sure you know where all the kids are at all times.
• Get a mobile number for the parents
• Ask a helper to look after coats and shoes
• Ask a helper to help with games and prizes and ask a helper to take photos.
  
  

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Talent Competition & Interactive Games

Children will love any activity that is interactive and creative. Why not have each child perform a talent spot, like a dance or a song? Skits might also be a fun way to get the kids involved in the party. Of course, there are always the classic party activities for children. Games like Pin the Tail on the Donkey and fun activities using Pinatas rank among the top things to do at children's parties.

~~ Kindergarten Graduation Ideas ~~

Of course there are the classic games like pass the parcel. I like the version where every time the music stops, a child takes a wrapper off, discovers a present and is out of the game - that way they are leaving on a positive note. Books are good presents to use for this. The grand prize of course can be a bit more special. Of course if you have a magician, face painter, ventroloquist or clown you will have excellent professional kids entertainment. If you have hired equipment like a soccer challenge that will keep the children entertained for a while too!

~~ Kindergarten Graduation Ideas ~~

A nice calming down game to have is a coloring competition. Give them all a picture to color in - try getting a picture with a graduation theme to it. The best one gets a packet of coloring pencils.

~~ Kindergarten Graduation Ideas ~~

What about a dance competition - get some funky music on and watch them bopping away.

~~ Kindergarten Graduation Ideas ~~

Another nice simple game is to arrange a bucket a few feet away and give the graduates some of these hollow plastic balls to throw. A prize goes to the person who gets most balls in the bucket. If you don't have any of the plastic balls mentioned then you could make you own using tights cut up and stuffed with cotton wool.

~~ Kindergarten Graduation Ideas ~~

A sing along is another fun idea. You could sing well known songs like:

• Twinkle twinkle little star……………………
• Or one little speckled frog, sat on a speckled log …………………………
• Or if you're happy and you know it clap your hands …………………………
• Or Old MacDonald had a farm …………………………………
• Or Zip-a-dee-do-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay- …………………………..

~~ Kindergarten Graduation Ideas ~~

For prizes for all of these games, it's a good idea to have a goodie bag with lots of inexpensive toys inside and just let the kidz choose a prize from the bag themselves - like a lucky dip.

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Make it Colorful

Another good kindergarten graduation ideas is to make sure that the party has plenty of color. Children at this age are very reactive to colorful things. Confetti, Balloons, Streamers, Gossamer, Scene setters, Murals, Door Decorations, Banners, Hanging Decorations, shiny ribbons, Table Centrepiece, the kindergarten toy mascot, and the like will get the kids excited and enjoying the event. Also any Kindergarten jerseys, t-shirts, scarfs and baseball caps.

The Kindergarten may already use bright colors which would be a great color theme. This would be one of the better kindergarten graduation ideas, especially if you hold the party at the Kindergarten.

A rather good decoration is, for each child, their first day photo, a current photo and some facts on the child. The facts could be favorite food, favorite tou, favorite game and favorite thing about Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Graduation Ideas - Make The Kids Feel Grown Up

Children will also appreciate kindergarten graduation ideas that might make them feel important and grown up.
You might also consider ordering a cap and gown set for your child. The child will enjoy dressing up to play the part of a graduate, and having a special outfit for the occasion will help to emphasize the importance of the event.
The children may like to know a little bit about graduation and how the grade school do it. Hopefully they will feel special and very grown up.

More Kindergarten Graduation Ideas

More kindergarten graduation ideas:

• Feature the kids achievements in the party, ceremony and decorations. Their artwork makes brilliant kindergarten graduation ideas decorations, for example. Also special project work and particularly where the children have their photos beside their excellent work.
• Make sure the kids already know the games. There is no time to learn new games and the kids may become bored. Kindergarten graduation ideas must be exciting for them.
• Try not to use games where kids are 'out'. They will be bored waiting for the next game. Games like octopus tag are better as when you are tagged you join the tag team. The winner is the last person tagged by the octopus- no one is out of the game.
  Set up a Time Capsule with lots of fun items from their year in kindergarten. This can take a lot of thought and the children can have their say in what goes in. They may like to also consider news items, toys, and information children in the future may like to know about.
• Set up a scrapbook.
• Family and friends will give gifts to the little graduate. Hand written thank you notes are best.
• Search through the World's Largest Party Superstore and get lots of kindergarten graduation ideas.
• If you are having a party for your own graduate it may be better to share it with their close friends.
• Favor bags can just be packed with goodies. A good guide is a candy, party blower, a safe toy, notepad, pens/pencils and perhaps some cake.
• Have a lucky dip at the end as well as favors. Kids will love it.
• For the last 30 minutes of the party it's a good idea to have calming down period where you could perhaps play a dvd to entertain the kids while they are waiting to be collected and even give out the party bags at this point.

Also, consider the music you are going to play in the background of your kindergarten graduation ceremony or kindergarten graduation ideas party.

• an inspirational song like Circle Of Life by Elton John. It's available on the soundtrack of the lion king. I'm sure you'll agree that the lyrics are great:

  From the day we arrive on the planet
  And blinking, step into the sun
  Theres more to be seen than can ever be seen
  More to do than can ever be done
  …………………………..

• Then there is Upside Down by Jack Johnson which is on the soundtrack to the movie Curious George:

  What's impossible
  Well they forgot
  This world keeps spinning
  And with each new day
  I can feel a change in everything
  And as the surface breaks reflections fade
  But in some ways they remain the same
  And as my mind begins to spread its wings
  There's no stopping curiosity
  ……………………………………………

• Then there is Somewhere Over The Rainbow sung by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz. It makes a great kindergarten graduation songs.

Now that you have some kindergarten graduation ideas, you will be able to throw the perfect party for your pint-sized graduate. Have fun with your own kindergarten graduation ideas!

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