5th Grade Graduation Ideas

Middle school survival kits

Middle school survival kits are a popular gift that PTOs often provide to graduating fifth graders. Package together inexpensive items, like candy, treats and supplies with a "middle school survival kit" gift tag. Get our list of popular items to include plus an editable gift tag

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Student clap out

A clap out is an easy and free way to celebrate fifth grade graduates. On the last day of school, invite your school's former 5th graders (who are now graduating from high school) to come back to the school in their cap and gown to lead the fifth graders out of school. Invite the rest of your school community - students and staff - to line the halls to clap as they walk (one last time) out of the school. Let parents know where and what time to gather up, and if your school has multiple exits, be clear about which one will be used.

Baby Photos

For a fun game of "Guess Who", display baby photos of graduating fifth graders.

"Smile You're a Star!" 5th grade graduation theme

For this fun, star-studded fifth grade graduation theme, think Grammy Awards meets Broadway, and decorate each classroom as a different awards category. Give each student their own "star" on the Hollywood walk of fame! Red carpet optional, but highly encouraged ;)

5th grade graduation award ceremony

Hand out a personalized certificate to each student signed by the principal and their teacher; these can be straightforward or customized with fun superlatives, such as “friendliest” or “most likely to share snacks.” Don't forget to invite your mascot, if your school has one! 

What you’ll need: Certificate template, list of students with their superlatives, someone who can use mail merge to create and print the files.

Jazz it up: Put together a slideshow of graduates’ kindergarten pictures alongside their current school photo to play on a loop at the ceremony.

5th grade graduation photo op

Set up a "congrats, graduate!" banner for families to take photos of their graduating fifth grader.

5th grade graduation yard signs 

Deliver "A 5th grade graduate lives here" signs to families to make students feel extra special!

@auburn1997 We love our 5th graders! We loaded up our caravans and delivered yard signs!#principalsoftiktok #elementaryprincipal #teachersoftiktok #principallife #elementaryschool #fifthgraders #yardsigns ♬ Originalton - ⚡Leroy⚡Rock⚡Official⚡

Yearbook signing event

Give graduating 5th graders an opportunity to mingle with their friends across classes. Hand out yearbooks, class T-shirts, and any other souvenirs, and have plenty of Sharpies available for signatures.

What you’ll need: A space large enough to accommodate the entire grade, enough permanent markers in different sizes and colors for each student to have one, items for signing. Pair the event with an ice cream sundae bar, plus ask a few volunteers to snap keepsake photos with an instant camera.

Pool Party

Reserve recreational space at a public pool or splash pad for a year-end hurrah and invite the kids to hang out for a couple of hours at free or reduced admission costs. (If your PTO has the budget, you can even give each person a beach towel with the middle school’s logo on it.) Put out snacks and water bottle refill stations.

What you’ll need: Variety of snack foods in individual-size bags, other treats like popsicles, large drink dispensers to refill water bottles, trash bags.

Jazz it up: Set up a karaoke machine or use a Bluetooth speaker to broadcast a playlist of the class’s favorite songs from the past six years.

Tie-Dye Party

Hand out white shirts, socks, or small gym towels, set out liquid fabric dye in rainbow brights or school colors, and laminate a few sets of photo instructions for how to create different designs. (Note: This activity is best done outdoors, on a paved or grassy surface that can handle dye.)

What you’ll need: Small rubber bands (a lot of them), squirt-top bottles for liquid fabric dye, instruction sheets for creating patterns, plenty of resealable plastic bags for taking home dyed creations (one bag for each item), washing instructions for kids to take home.

Jazz it up: Instead of plain shirts, use white T-shirts with the middle school mascot printed on them.