Looking for end of school party ideas to help your kids celebrate making it through the school year? Girl, let's chat about the last day of school party ideas that your kids are going to have a blast with.
Finishing off the school year is such a great feeling for everyone, so why not celebrate it. Your kids have worked hard, and you know you were tested too.
As a mom of 4, I have helped my kids celebrate with these amazing end of school party ideas. I am even going to share with you some ideas of what I have planned for the end of this school year.
You are going to learn all about the best end of school party ideas like what food to get, decorations, activities to do, gift bags, and so much more.
After learning about all of these great end of school party activities, you are going to be ultra prepared to help your kids send out this school year with a bang.
Let's jump into the best end of school party ideas that your kids will remember for a long time to come.
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Best End of School Party Ideas
Congratulations MAMA!!!
You made it through this school year.
I don’t know about you, but each school year seems harder for me. It makes sense though.
My kids are learning harder materials along with trying to figure out bigger emotions, new feelings, and body changes that they aren’t used to.
Whew!!! It is a good thing my husband keeps me stocked with my favorite chocolates
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With everything that you have been through with your kids this school year, there is no better time for a celebration.
What I am going to go through below can be done by inviting school friends over, or with just your own kids.
We usually like to invite a few friends a piece over, so with 4 kids, there are kids everywhere! My house gets trashed for a day but it is one day that I just don’t mind.
Let your kids invite their friends over mama. They all want to celebrate getting through the school year together.
Have the best time kicking off the start of summer with your kids.
End of School Party Ideas
Decorations
1. Sidewalk Chalk Message
Pick up this sidewalk chalk, it is my favorite kind (yes, I have a favorite sidewalk chalk), and write a message on your driveway or sidewalk.
This could be a “Hello Summer”, “You Made It”, or “It’s Party Time”. Get creative.
Now don’t be boring about it. Go big or go home!
Make it so big that you would think it can be seen from outer space.
I think my kids thought I was losing it the first time I did this but they loved it so I have done it every year since.
2. Streamers
You can put streamers anywhere to add a little flare. And the best part is that they are cheap.
I keep a stock of these streamers and use them for lots of occasions – birthdays, holidays, special days like the end of school – you name it.
They make a great backdrop for a photo area.
3. Banner
This banner is huge – almost 10 ft by 1.5 ft. It is so fun.
Since I usually sidewalk chalk our driveway, I like to hang this in our backyard.
4. Balloons
I don’t know what it is about balloons but kids love them. They make great decorations that can turn into toys.
These are decent balloons that I buy over and over again.
Be careful with balloons and grass though. The grass makes them pop unless you spring for the foil kind.
5. Photo Booth
No matter if your kids are young or old, everyone has a blast with a photo booth.
Now that my daughter is a bit older, the majority of her friends have a phone (she doesn’t, but we can save that discussion for another time) which made this a hit last year.
Of course, we are setting it up again this year.
These are pretty solid photo booth props and we have used them on more than a few occasions.
My boys and their friends are still into the photo booth but I know that won’t last as they hit their “too cool” stage.
End of School Party Ideas
Activities
Do you like structure? You can plan some activities for these kiddos.
But if I am being honest, the kids are so thrilled that they get to hang out with each other outside of school that it doesn’t need to be structured.
The best end-of-school parties we've had were the ones with fewer activities planned. Let them play, mama!
If it is hot, you could set up a sprinkler or have a squirt gunfight. It is a great way to have them keep cool.
Another fun idea is to set up an obstacle course. You can use pool noodles, jump ropes, hula hoops, balls, and anything else you may have lying around your house.
Get your kids involved to help set it up. It is their party after all!
The one thing I would have if I were you, is music.
I have the JBL Flip Bluetooth speaker and it has great quality and can get loud if you want it to.
We have used it at our last few kids’ parties and both boys and girls get their groove on. So fun to watch.
I plan to have a combination of all of these at this year’s end of school party.
End of School Party Ideas
Food
What is a party without food? Really, what is the time right after school without food?
It is a disaster is what it is.
No matter how many kids are going to be at this party, get more food than you think. And I am talking about probably doubling it.
The first time we had an end-of-school party, I got food based on what my kids eat and I didn't have enough "party food". At least I had just been to the store and had summer food for my kids on hand.
Make it easy on yourself. They are kids at an end-of-school party, not a gourmet restaurant.
Below are some very easy options to choose from.
1. Snacks
Your best bet is to do something easy. And a lot of it.
These snack box variety packs are perfect. There is a lot that comes in them and the kids will have a variety to choose from.
Just because your kiddo likes something doesn't mean his friends will too.
Don't be surprised if they are all gone by the end of the party.
2. Sandwiches
Along with the snacks, you can also serve up some sandwiches. These are easy to make, you can make a variety, and they are filling.
Get some hamburger buns and a few different basic kinds of sandwich meat – we like ham, turkey, chicken, and salami, and a few different kinds of cheese too – like Cheddar, Co-Jack, and American.
Top it off with some mayo, butter, and/or pickles.
You can be so kind and make them up for the kids or have them build their own.3. Pizza
Not feeling the sandwiches? Pizza is a solid option as well.
You only need to pick up a few basic kinds – most kids eat cheese, pepperoni, or sausage.
If I were you, I would opt for the regular to the thicker crust, as the thin crust may leave your guests still hungry.
4. Healthy Options
Unless you know a kiddo has a dietary restriction, I would skip having a healthy option of food at this party.
They can get pretty expensive for how much your guests won't get filled up.
You only have these kids for a couple of hours, that isn't enough time to instill healthy eating habits that will last the long haul with them.
5. Drinks
My guess is, with all the running around these kids will be doing, they are going to get thirsty.
Get smaller sizes of drinks or you will be dumping many of them out at the end of the party.
You can’t go wrong with small bottles of water, a few different flavors of Gatorade, and juice boxes.
I usually get all 3 since I like to have a little variety at our parties and extras of all of them.
They last and my kids like having them into the summer.
6. Dessert
Finally, get some desserts. It is a celebration after all.
Amazon has so many snack packs of cookies to choose from and most of the time I run with those.
If that isn’t what you had in mind, you can always get ice cream treats.
End of School Party Ideas
Gift Bags
Getting through the school year deserves a little gift. It is quite the feat after all.
I like to make up a little gift bag for my kids and their guests.
You can mix and match these and make sure to take into consideration the age of the kids.
For example, I am not going to give my 5th grader and her friends bubbles this year but that would be great for my preschooler.
This year for my 5th grader, I am putting together a 6 in 1 multicolor pen, a small notebook, and sunglasses.
Next year, I am planning to get the girls a beach towel.
Since my 1st and 3rd graders are both boys, their gift bags are going to be noise-putty slime and sunglasses.
And last but not least, my preschooler is going to have 2 friends come over and I am going to put bubbles and sunglasses in their gift bag.
Hey, I got a deal on these sunglasses, so everyone is getting them
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Here are some other items you can get in bulk and work great in gift bags.
This post was all about the best end of school party ideas.
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Let me know in the comments below how you celebrated the end of this school year with your kids.
What fun and exciting things do you have planned for this summer?
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by!