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For years, “kindergarten” was an early childhood benchmark. When your child is an infant or toddler, the idea that they’ll be going to kindergarten one day, much less graduating from kindergarten, feels so far in the future, it may as well be a plot point out of Star Trek. Surely, this small child who’s constantly putting things in their mouth won’t be in kindergarten any time soon, right? But then it comes, you take first-day-of-school pictures, stand in amazement as they learn to read… And now it’s over.
Yes, that tiny baby who just couldn’t help eating literally anything they found on the floor has just graduated kindergarten and is now thrust into the wilds of elementary school. “Big kid” school awaits! (Pro-tip: If you find yourself thinking something like “If kindergarten came and went like that, what does that say about the rest of their childhood?” Well, it’s best not to think about it.) Still, this calls for celebration, and celebration calls for gifts. So we’ve come up with kindergarten graduation gifts that mark the day, reinforce their academic skills over the summer, and will keep them entertained until they start first grade in the fall.
The school year is over, but they can make one more friend in kindergarten. This cuddly elephant can be customized with their name and graduation year, serving as a cute new toy and a sweet memento — the perfect combination for a kindergarten graduation gift.
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Even though your little kid isn’t so little anymore, they’re still going to do a lot of their learning the way they always have: through play. As your rising first grader prepares for the big leagues, playing school with dolls like Barbie can be a fun way to act it out in miniature.
As kids graduate from kindergarten, maybe they’re developing their little green thumb. With this set, they can create a little ecosystem in the mason jar, planting chia and wheatgrass and arranging the sand, stones, and figurines how they please. And there are enough seeds included to plant a second batch.
With graduation comes summer and more time for playing outside. This flying saucer swing can hold up to 330 pounds (read: your little one can swing with friends). Setup is easy via the rings and adjustable rope.
Cornhole is a classic yard game, but it might still be too challenging for kids to be fun. Enter Googly Toss. With more holes in the board, it’s easier for a child to score, which will encourage them and develop hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills.
Little Tikes Basketball Set
They may not be ready for the (W)NBA — or even a standard driveway-sized hoop — but they can prepare with this one from Little Tikes. You can adjust it for them between four and six feet.
This toy is a classic for a reason: Even though they’re pretty simple, Stomp Rockets are so much fun. Your kindy grad will love seeing how high they can make their rocket soar. And the setup is entirely kid-powered: no batteries required.
Moose Toys Bluey Playset
If your child loves Bluey, Australia’s most adorable export, they’re going to love this playset too. It’s a recreation of the Heeler’s Brisbane home. It comes with Bluey, Bingo, and Chattermax figures.
The great thing about Lego is that you can build anything at all, but sometimes your imagination needs a little bit of a kickstart. That’s why we love this set, which comes with 5 “mini-builds” to get your kiddo thinking on what they can create.
We’re sort of bummed this adorable cottage doesn’t come in adult sizes. Your child can while away the time playing make-believe in this charming little house, complete with working doorbell, a clock with moveable hands, and double-sided chalkboard walls.
Admit it: as soon as we said “Scented Markers,” your mind went back to your own childhood. This case comes with 10 of them, plus pens, crayons, and other art supplies in a handy, roll-up carry case with an adorable unicorn theme.
Kids this age are balls of energy as it is, but when you give them a ball to bounce on? They’re unstoppable. This is an ideal kindergarten graduation gift for bouncy kids everywhere (and for the parents who want them to get good and tired for bedtime).
MirageCustomShirts Kindergarten Graduate 2023 T-Shirt
Help your little one celebrate by dressing them in this commemorative tee acknowledging the year they graduate. It’s available in an array of colors and sizes, so you can make sure they are looking and feeling their best on the big day. (The shirt also comes in adult sizes if you want to match.)
Gift them this adorable and soft stuffed bear so that they can remember their accomplishments while cuddling up next to their new favorite animal. The bear is wearing a graduation cap and holding a diploma to remind them of this special day.
The game includes 30 double-sided cards with three- and four-letter words on them. Place the card in the slot and see if the child can spell the word with the letter cubes, or place them so the words show if you’re just working on letter recognition.
Subscription Box Kids Lil Readers Book Club Subscription
This kindergarten graduation gift is a monthly subscription for ages 5 to 7. Each month your scholar will receive three books, crafts, and more to foster their love of reading and literature. It’s a new theme every month, so it stays fresh for summertime learning.
Is this an over-the-top kindergarten graduation gift? Absolutely it is. Will it keep this kid busy from now until first grade and leave them happily exhausted, maybe leading to some good night’s sleep for everyone? Also yes.
This kit comes with 16 connectable wood-pattern panels made from heavy-duty cardboard. Arrange and rearrange them in any shape you want — even stack them — for a fort that’s uniquely their own.
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