Can you believe it? We’re nearing the end of another school year with our sweet first-graders! When planning for the last day of school, I like to choose activities that are low-key, non-stressful, and require minimal planning or materials. We all deserve a smooth and easy-breezy end to the year, right? So grab your favorite iced coffee (because we definitely need that extra boost!) and let’s dive into three simple yet super fun (and FREE) ideas to make the last day of 1st grade a total breeze. These activities are perfect for keeping things relaxed while still creating memorable moments.
Need ideas for the beginning of the school year? Check out this blog post!
1. Student Name Word Searches
There aren’t many things my first graders love more than word searches! They get so excited when they arrive in the morning on the last day of school to find a word search that is personalized with their own name and the names of all of their friends!
I create these word searches using Puzzlemaker.com! Simply input your class list and generate the word search for free!
You can either print directly from the site, or copy and paste the word search into the editable template to make it look like mine.
You can make a copy of the Student Name Word Search template for free here!
I give each student a copy and allow them to work together in teams to try to find all of the names. They love getting to use special highlighters to complete the word search!
2. Picture Slideshow
I don’t know about you, but I always have soo many pictures that have been taken throughout the school year. I’ve found that a super fun way to share the memories with my students is by making a slideshow!
Throughout the year, I save all of the pictures I take to an album. This makes it super easy to quickly upload all of the photos to iMovie. I set music to go with the slideshow and save the file in my drive.
Right before dismissal on the last day of school, we watch the video together as a class! It is so much fun to look back on all the memories we’ve made together in 1st grade and to see how much the students have grown throughout the year!
I also like to give a copy as a keepsake for parents and students! (Just make sure your school’s media policy allows this!) To do this, I just make it share-able in my Google Drive and send the link to parents!
Here are the steps I follow to easily create an End of the Year picture slideshow!
- Save photos to an album on your phone throughout the school year- this makes it so easy to add the pictures without searching through your phone!
- Open the iMovie app on your phone
- Press Start New Project : Magic Movie
- Select the album and all of the pictures in the album
- Optional: Edit to add your own music or text to the movie
- Save the movie – You can export it directly to your Google Drive!
3. Board Games
On the last day of school, I try to use as few materials as possible throughout the day! Most of my students’ school supplies are either already sent home or packed away. Board games are a perfect simple last day of school activity that requires no prep or materials!
I grab a stack of games and playing cards from my indoor recess cabinet and set them out on my table. Students are free to play any of the games in partners and groups and spread out throughout the room!
I love that this gives me the opportunity to get some things check off of my last day of school to-do list! I also always end up playing games with the kids and enjoying our final day all together! I love teaching them new card games such as Spoons that many have not played before!
Planning a stress-free Last Day of School
The last day of 1st grade is all about celebrating our amazing journey together and creating memories that will stay with us forever. These low-key and stress-free activities have made it a breeze to say our goodbyes to the school year. I hope this post gave you some ideas for planning your last day of school!
Want some free no-prep writing crafts perfect for the end of the school year? Find them here!
