Your little one is getting so big! After a hard year of letters, numbers and making friends — not to mention hand-sanitizing, masks and zoom — preschool graduation has finally arrived, and kindergarten is just around the corner. This year more than any other, the end of pre-k deserves to be celebrated with a great preschool graduation gift.
If you’re stumped as to what to buy your little student come preschool graduation, we’ve thought of a few ideas, from cute crafts and on-topic storybooks to educational toys (including STEM toys) and summer must-haves. Why should you trust our picks? Many were recommended by the Good Housekeeping Institute, which tests and vets toys and kids’ products to determine stuff your kids will love (that’s worth investing in). Other gifts we threw in there because they were personalized, graduation-themed gifts, and preschoolers love nothing more than to see their own names in writing. (The probably learned to spell them this year, too.) No matter which one you choose, these thoughtful ideas will show your kids that you’re proud of them, and that you think they’re ready to go on to the exciting journey that is kindergarten. (Then next year, you can get a kindergarten graduation gift!)
Personalized Preschool Graduation Gift
I Wish You More
Chronicle Books
amazon.com
This inspirational book is all about fostering curiosity and wonder. Preschool graduation is a perfect milestone to share this book with your child or loved one as it is such a positive, uplifting story for parents and kids alike. You can also have it personalized with your child’s name. Ages 5+
I Survived Pre-K Masked Shirt
This wasn’t just any pre-k year. Celebrate getting through a year of school closures, masks and distancing with this shirt, which celebrates the resilience of all the kiddos who had to learn a whole different set of classroom rules. Sizes Newborn through 2XL Adult
Pretty Petals Sprinkler
Melissa & Doug
amazon.com
Pre-k graduation means the summer has officially begun! This garden-themed sprinkler will have them cooling off in no time. All you have to do is hook it up to a hose. Ages 3+
Personalized Gift for Preschool Graduation
Customized Graduation Bears
TheGiftChicks
etsy.com
$15.00
These cute, diploma-bearing animals are customized so they have your child’s name on one paw and the graduation year on the other. You can choose either the white or the brown bear and either a black, pink or blue graduation robe. No age recommendation given
Penguin Moneybox
Janod
kidochicago.com
$20.00
When pre-k graduation rolls around, they might start getting cards with money inside. Give them a place to put it — and teach them the importance of saving — with this wooden moneybox, which will look adorable sitting on a shelf or dresser. Ages 3+
Puffy Sticker Activity Book
Melissa & Doug
amazon.com
$5.50
Kid testers were entertained for hours with this cute little activity book. It includes four glossy panels and 76 puffy stickers that kids can reuse over and over again. Available in a bunch of different themes, this particular one includes reusable clothing stickers like pants, skirts, dresses, shoes and accessories, so kids can get used to picking out their own outfits for school. It’s great for fostering fine motor skills, creative expression and independent play.
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Personalized Preschool Graduation Gift
Last Day of School Preschool Shirt
stockberryapparel
etsy.com
$17.15
This shirt comes customized with everything you’d put on a “last day of school” chalkboard sign. Choose either a white or black shirt with colorful lettering. Sizes 18m through Youth S
The King Of Kindergarten
Nancy Paulsen Books
kidochicago.com
$17.99
So many books about kindergarten focus on the nervousness and anxiety of starting a new school but, in this book, the hero is enthusiastic to start his new school year! After the day is over, he can’t wait to tell his proud parents about his day. Ages 3+
GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope
Educational Insights
amazon.com
$47.10
Keep their love of science going throughout the summer with this science set. The voice of Bindi Irwin give kids scientific facts as they look through slides of plants and animals. Ages 4+
Cheesy Pizza Sidewalk Chalk
TWEE
maisonette.com
$18.00
It’s going to be an outside summer! Upgrade your sidewalk chalk to this set, which looks like slices of pizza. Kids can have fun playing restaurant and chalking up a menu on the sidewalk. Ages 3+
Preschool Graduation Bracelet
SincereImpressions
etsy.com
$19.95
Learning Resources Coding Critters
Learning Resources
amazon.com
Learning Resources’ Coding Critters are a great early entry into coding for young kids, and a way to keep kids interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) over the summer. If your kids don’t like dinos, you can also get a coding cat, dog or bunny. Ages 4+
Sprinkle Art Shaker
Keep their creative juices flowing over the summer with this set, which lets kids use glitter without making a mess. Just put in a piece of paper, add glue, throw in the sparkles — and shake! The extra glitter is collected inside the set, so it can be re-used. Age 5+
Personalized Preschool Graduation Gift
Milestone Handprint T-Shirt
GirlMomCraftDesigns
etsy.com
$21.00
Start a new tradition where you add a handprint to the back of this tee at the end of every year. As the hand gets bigger — and as the shirt fits better — you can see how much they’ve grown. You can personalize it with a name, and choose between white and gray for the shirt color. Size Adult S through Adult XL
Skip Hop Toddler Backpack
Skip Hop
amazon.com
$34.26
Send them off to kindergarten with an adorable new backpack. This one is a top lab pick for the best kids’ backpacks thanks to its roomy main compartment and an insulated pouch for snacks. It comes in a range of animal styles, including a narwhal, a dragon and a llama. Ages 3+
Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten!
Cedar Valley Publishing
amazon.com
$28.81
A book is always a solid choice for gifting a child. This particular one will help your child prepare for the next exciting stage of education … kindergarten! It includes school teachings like letters and words, numbers and counting, shapes and directions, and more that will be constants in a kindergarten classroom. And it’s done through the lens of a sweet teacher and six culturally diverse students.
Personalized Preschool Graduation Gift
Preschool Graduate Puzzle
LBPersonalizedDesign
etsy.com
$11.50
Instead of a card, why not try a jigsaw puzzle? These come in other styles and designs, including boy styles. All of the puzzles can be personalized with the graduate’s name.
STEM Toy
Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad
The engineers at the Good Housekeeping Institute are big fans of the Osmo lineup of interactive games for your iPad. It turns core school subjects kids like math and spelling into highly engaging, hands-on learning. Ages 3+
ABC Play Mat
Darlyng and Co.
darlyngandco.com
$39.99
Now that they’ve mastered the ABCs, give them a place to practice the alphabet as they play. This canvas cotton play mat is 53″ in diameter, giving them lots of room to spread out. No age recommendation given
Best Tablet for Preschoolers
Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet
Amazon
amazon.com
$139.99
This is a great entry-level tablet for kids to watch videos, play games, explore apps, and more. And with advanced parental controls and a sturdy bumper, you can feel good leaving it in your child’s hands for experimenting. Our favorite part? It comes with a two-year, no questions asked warranty. Ages 3+
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