End Of The Year Activity Ideas

Ready to Wrap Up the School Year?

As the final days approach, it’s the perfect time to reflect, celebrate, and set the stage for a smooth transition into summer. Here are some fun and meaningful ideas to help you close out the year and kick off vacation with joy and intention.

Classroom Lessons

Dear Future Self

I love having students write letters to their future selves. Not only does it help them visualize a goal, but it also teaches them many academic skills.

Plus, it’s so fun to see them read it later at their fifth graduation or even find it on their desks at the start of the next school year. This is also a great activity for the beginning of the year.

You can get FREEBIE writing activity set here.

Summer Safety

There are many topics to include in summer safety, from water safety to online safety. I also like to include animal safety.

Dog safety is truly important for our students. They may own a dog, visit a friend or family member with a dog, or run across a stray dog. I always include dog safety in my lessons. Here’s a quick overview of what I do.

First, I like to start with a video about dog body language.

After watching, we discuss how dogs use their bodies to express their feelings. We know that understanding emotions in others and animals is key to developing empathy. So, I truly enjoy talking about caring for how animals feel here.

Then, we read a story and/or watch a video. There are lots of great books about dog safety out there.

You can find my book idea list here.

I partner with UTK’s H.A.B.I.T. program to bring in a dog and they do a full dog safety lesson. Many Humane Society Programs do their own safety programs and would be great guest speakers. The “Be a Tree Program” is a great program.

AKC also has this great “Dog Listener” video. Here’s a peak (part of the full video):

Problem Solving

This time of year, we are all exhausted. Problem solving seems even harder. Here are two fun books and activity ideas to help our kids practice brainstorming and problem-solving.

Porcupine Had a Fuzzy Sweater is a picture book that gently explores the feelings that come with losing something special. Porcupine’s favorite sweater—fuzzy, red, and made by Grandma—has gone missing. He’s afraid to tell her the truth, so he tries to solve the problem on his own. Maybe he can make a new one, borrow someone else’s… or even run away. What’s a porcupine to do?

This story beautifully captures the anxiety of making a mistake and the courage it takes to be honest. It’s a lovely way to open up conversations with children about problem-solving, emotions, and making things right.

Classroom Activity Idea:
Turn this book into a fun, interactive learning moment with a problem-solving scavenger hunt!

Cut out paper templates of t-shirts and sweaters.
On each one, write a different problem-solving strategy (e.g., “Ask for help,” “Brainstorm ideas,” “Retrace your steps,” “Take a deep breath”).
Hide them around the classroom.
Have students search for the cutouts, then act out or role-play what that strategy looks like in real life.

This activity helps kids not only reflect on Porcupine’s choices but also develop their own tools for handling tricky situations. Plus, it’s a great way to get them moving and thinking at the same time!

Find the book on Amazon here.

Watch it on YouTube here.

Another favorite lesson this time of year involves potatoes! If you’re a parent, you’ve likely heard the phrase “I’m bored!” more times than you can count—especially on rainy days or when screen time is off-limits.

This book is a fun, imaginative way to remind kids that boredom can lead to creativity. I team taught this lesson with my librarian, so talk to yours about this super fun collaboration.

And yes… this lesson involves giving away potatoes!

Middle School Transition

At the end of the year, my 5th graders visit the middle school and take part in a panel discussion with the middle school counselors—right here at our elementary school.

To help them process the experience, I created a reflection brochure where they can jot down questions, capture what they’re curious about, and record what they’re learning along the way.

Get the middle school transition activities here.

Individual and Small Groups

Support Bags

I love creating support bags for students, including summer support bags.

These bags are designed to be checked out and not returned. They are fun bags that students can use over the summer to promote mindfulness and fun! These to-go kits are perfect as you end a small group or say goodbye to students you’ve worked with all year.

Individual Feel Better Plans

I created these brochures to help students carry the skills they’ve learned into the summer and beyond. They’re designed to reinforce coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and identifying trusted adults—whether those lessons came from small groups, class sessions, or one-on-one support.

The brochures are flexible and easy to customize. You can mix and match different pages to fit the needs of your group or individual students.

It’s a fun, reflective way to wrap up your final session and send students off with a meaningful takeaway they can refer to even after the school year ends.

Get the “Feel Better Plan” here.