End of Year Activities That Keep Kids Learning

The end of the school year. That magical time when teachers are equal parts exhausted and nostalgic, students are bursting with excitement (and energy), and the countdown to summer has officially begun. It’s the final stretch—but let’s be real: these last few weeks can feel like the longest marathon of all. If you’re looking for end of year activities that are fun, purposeful, and still sneak in some solid learning, you’re in the right place. The trick is finding the sweet spot between review and celebration, structure and fun. Below you’ll find quick tips to make the final days smoother, plus a set of classroom-tested activities that will help you end the year with laughter, reflection, and a little beach-themed literacy magic.

Quick Tips to Get to the End of the Year

Before diving into the activities, here are a few survival strategies:

Stick to the routine (as much as possible). The structure gives kids a sense of normalcy and keeps chaos at bay.
Incorporate movement and novelty. Think: scavenger hunts, write-the-room, hands-on crafts, and countdowns.
Prep once, reuse daily. Find low-prep activities that you can rotate or expand upon.
Celebrate progress. Let kids reflect on how far they’ve come—it helps them transition emotionally and academically.
Pair learning with fun. They’re still learning, but it feels like play. That’s the secret sauce.

Must-Try End of Year Activities for a Fun Finish

Those last few weeks of school? Total whirlwind. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed between packing up the classroom, juggling end-of-year assessments, and trying not to cry during the goodbye songs. I’ve been there, counting down the days while still wanting to make them meaningful. That’s why I put together this list of tried-and-true end of year activities that have saved my sanity more than once. They’re fun, low-prep, and keep kids learning right up until the last day

ABC Memory Book

What better way to reflect on a year of learning than with the ABCs? This vibrant memory book helps students organize their thoughts and celebrate the moments that made the year special.

Have students brainstorm their favorite memories for each letter of the alphabet.
Add a literacy twist: students can include favorite picture books that match each letter.
Make it part of an ABC countdown—a different letter each day leading up to summer break!

Pro tip: This makes a great keepsake for parents and an adorable classroom display for those last few days.

Summer Sentence Scramble Sensory Bin

Summer fun meets literacy practice with this sensory bin activity.

Toss laminated sentence cards and mats into a bin filled with kinetic sand, rice, or pom-poms.
Students build sentences, practice sight words, and even write them down afterward.
It’s sneaky learning at its best. Plus, the beach theme adds a splash of seasonal fun.

Skills covered: Spelling, fine motor, sentence structure, and early reading.

June Digital Math Warm-Ups

Perfect for keeping math brains active without a ton of prep work.

These interactive slides are designed for kindergarten readiness but work well for review in the early grades.
Cover essential skills like addition/subtraction fluency, number bonds, counting to 20, and shapes.
The colorful, engaging visuals make math time feel like game time.

Bonus: These are great for the whole group, small group, or morning work!

Ocean-Themed Math Centers

Bring on the beach vibes while reviewing essential math concepts.

Students practice counting, number writing, shape matching, and more.
Hands-on tools like snap cubes, pattern blocks, and geoboards make this tactile and engaging.
Comes in both full color and black & white, making it printer-friendly too.

Dive into learning while pretending you’re by the sea!

Phonics Treasure Hunt: Blends & Digraphs

Phonics practice just got an upgrade.

Kick things off by introducing or reviewing blends and digraphs.
Then, send your students on a classroom treasure hunt! They’ll solve clues and practice reading words with target sounds.
Finish by having students write the words they found or use them in silly sentences.

It’s active, engaging, and checks the box for meaningful phonics review.

Animal Riddle Write the Room

Need something that gets kids up and moving and thinking?

Post riddles around the room related to different animals.
Students walk around with clipboards, read the riddles, and write their answers on differentiated recording pages.
Great for practicing reading comprehension, critical thinking, and handwriting—all while getting the wiggles out.

Build a Sandcastle Writing Craft

Combine art and writing with this sunny end-of-year craft.

Students build and decorate sandcastles using cut-out pieces.
Then, they choose from a variety of writing prompts, great for different levels.
Display the sandcastle masterpieces on your bulletin board or send them home as a fun summer sendoff.

It’s the perfect mix of fine motor, creativity, and writing practice.

End of the Year Friendship Memory Book

End your year with warm fuzzies and meaningful reflection.

This friendship-themed memory book invites students to think about their classmates, favorite moments, and what made this year so special.
With simple prompts and fun graphics, it’s easy to use for independent or guided reflection.
The final product becomes a treasured keepsake—and a sweet way to say goodbye.

This one pulls at the heartstrings in all the right ways.

The end of the year doesn’t have to be a chaotic countdown to summer. With the right mix of structure, creativity, and reflection, it can be one of the most memorable and meaningful times of the school year. These end of year activities are designed to help you make the most of those final days—celebrating everything your students have accomplished while keeping the learning going strong.

Don’t forget to check out my favorite end of the year read-alouds!

End of Year Activities That Keep Kids Learning (and Smiling) Until the Last Day