April 16, 2026
Cue the bittersweet feelings that the end of a school year brings. It’s a time to celebrate the arrival of summer break and reminisce on memories made during the school year. Savor the last days as a classroom family with these End of the Year Read Alouds books, activities, and book-inspired snacks!
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What do you wish for your students? It’s difficult to measure the greatness of this book, so grab a copy TODAY! This simple but touching read-aloud is full of heartfelt wishes such as “I wish you more ups than downs.” Wish your students more curiosity, joy, strength, and friendship while reading this book together. Such a meaningful way to say goodbye to your students!
Create dandelion paintings to represent all the wonderful wishes you have for your students. Use paintbrushes and Q-Tips to create these masterpieces.
This snack mix is easy to customize! We love to mix mini marshmallows, Teddy Grahams, pretzel twists, M&M’s, and Chex cereal. Students can help add each ingredient as you celebrate togetherness!
If you love “First Day Jitters,” then you must read “Last Day Blues” to finish the school year. Mrs. Hartwell’s students are worried she will miss them too much, so they come up with a thoughtful plan. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hartwell has her plans for summer (don’t all teachers?). This humorous story perfectly captures the bittersweet feelings of endings and new beginnings.
Simply Kinder’s Last Day Blues Book Companion has all the activities you need to chase the end of year blues away. Keep busy with literacy & math centers, writing crafts, summer collages, last day posters, and MORE!
Grab your Last Day Blues Book Companion activities from Simply Kinder + Membership HERE!
Mix blue Hawaiian Punch and Sprite in a pitcher. Pour into individual cups and let students sprinkle mini marshmallows on top for a garnish.
This read-aloud is the perfect farewell message for your students. The book is written in the form of a letter and reflects on the memories made throughout the school year. Celebrate the growth of students and the challenges they overcame. The teacher expresses pride in their students and reassures them that they will always be cheering for them. The book encourages students to look forward to new adventures while cherishing the friendships and lessons learned.
After reflecting on the school year, create a memory book keepsake. Students can write about things they learned, friends, favorite activities, and MORE! Grab your Memory Book from Simply Kinder + HERE.
Use Froot Loop cereal and a string to create memory necklaces. Share favorite memories from the year and add a Froot Loop to the necklace for each memory shared. Tip: Tape one end of the string to the table and make stringing cereal an easy task!
Celebrate the nurturing role of teachers with this read-aloud. Mrs. Spitzer, a wise and caring teacher, is compared to a gardener who plants seeds and tends to them with love and patience. Each year, she receives a new packet of seeds from her principal, representing her students. She carefully nurtures them, understanding that each one grows at its own pace and requires unique care. As the seasons change, Mrs. Spitzer watches her garden flourish, with each plant growing into its unique form. By the end of the school year, her job is complete, and the plants are ready to thrive on their own.
Make flowers to represent Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden. Students can add memories from the year to the petals of the flower, OR you can edit the flower template with adjectives to describe the school year. Grab your Flower Craft from Simply Kinder + HERE.
Students make a flower using a pretzel stick, a large marshmallow, icing, and mini M&M’s. Add crushed Oreos to a chocolate pudding cup and stick the flower in the “garden.” The perfect snack to symbolize the students reaching full bloom at the end of the school year.
Follow the journey of a rabbit who has many experiences traveling the world. The rabbit discovers that the world is full of exciting adventures, and no matter what happens, he can always trust himself to make good choices. This read-aloud reminds kids to look at the stars, explore new places, and enjoy every step of their journey.
Construct an adorable rabbit craft to represent the main character from “The Knowing Book.” Students can add “adventures” they hope to experience in the next school year around the rabbit. Grab your Rabbit Craft from Simply Kinder + HERE.
Make bunny faces using powdered sugar donuts. Cut a large marshmallow in half and sprinkle pink sugar crystals on the sticky sides. Attach the ears to the donut using toothpicks. Add a pink candy for a nose (mini Starburst, pink melting chocolates, jellybeans, etc).
This read-aloud is a tender and poetic picture book that explores the meaning of love through the story of a little girl and a duckling. The girl takes care of the duckling, teaching it how to grow and thrive, while learning about patience, sacrifice, and the joys of nurturing. As the duckling grows older, it eventually leaves to live on its own, showing that love also means letting go.
Use clothespins and a heart cutout to play Pass the Heart. Students pass a paper heart using only their clothespins. Have each student share a way they felt loved during the school year before passing the heart to the next student.
Add blue Jello to cups or use premade Jello cups as your pond. Add whipped topping on top of the Jello. A mini duck is the finishing touch to this book-inspired snack.
What are your favorite End of the Year Read Alouds books? Please tag us on Instagram here or share inside the Simply Kinder Teacher Facebook Group here.
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