30 Preschool Graduation Gifts to Celebrate Your Big Kid's Major Milestone

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Milestones are to be celebrated, and graduating preschool is no exception. Before the kid in your life leaps off to kindergarten, make sure they know they've accomplished something very cool by gifting them something small — or large, in some cases. As with all the best gifts for kids, the best preschool graduation gifts of 2024 are thoughtful tokens personal to each recipient. Not every kid wants a new backpack with dinosaurs on it, even if it is super cool. Some may crave glitter, glam, and sparkle! Others would thrive with a creative gift like a craft box or an art easel. If they love being outdoors, consider a bigger gift like a backyard playset.

Then, there's the pomp and circumstance of the preschool graduation itself. Would they appreciate a novelty cap and gown? Or a piñata to tear open with their buddies? Would they like to get a head start on kindergarten with some books and a new lunchbox? Or are they scared of leaving preschool behind and might want a little bit of comfort in the form of a photo book filled with pictures of their besties?

Our Top Picks for Best Preschool Graduation Gifts of 2024

• Wild Kingdom Box, $40 at WeCraftBox.com

• Surprise Powerz Dolls, $50 at Amazon.com

• Personalized ABC "What Can I Be?" Book, $38 at UncommonGoods.com

• GeoSafari Jr. Critter Habitat, $27 at Amazon.com

• Mini Photo Album, $12 at Amazon.com

Every kid is different, but we're confident we've found cool gifts to highlight every one of their unique interests. This list includes best sellers, favorites from our editors and their kids, and personalized presents they'll appreciate in the years to come. Take a look and before you know it, you'll be needing presents for a 6-year-old.

Want to shop for more great gifts? Check out these Woman's Day guides: The Best Kindergarten Graduation Gifts | The Best Gifts for Kids of All Ages | Most Popular Toys of 2024 | The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Olds | The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

Mega Jewelry Set

Super Smalls is like Cartier for kids. The brand has expanded its wildly popular collection of kiddie jewelry to include all kinds of accessories (hello, bedazzled goggles), but we're partial to this rainbow-colored gem set. Ages 3+

'Kindergarten Got Cooler' Shirt

Yes, this shirt is necessary for your incoming kindergarten student. There is also a 'Kindergarten Just Got a Lot Cuter' option, if that suits you better. Both come in sizes ranging from six months up to a kids' XL. (Though why a 6-month-old would need a kindergarten shirt, we can't be sure.)

Wild Kingdom Box

Haven't heard of We Craft Box? The mom-founded company creates themed craft boxes, delivered monthly to your door. You can purchase a subscription — three, six, or 12 months of boxes — or buy à la carte. The Wild Kingdom box is a personal favorite, but there are also boxes featuring dinosaurs, space cadets, bunnies, and more. Ages 3-9

RELATED: Best Gifts for Kindergarten Graduation

T-Rex Piñata

Pre-kindergarten is a prime age for piñatas! Grab one of the festive options from Meri Meri's collection, which also includes mermaids and robots, for the preschool grad party. No age listed

Wooden Tree House for Dolls

On the hunt for a quality dollhouse? Lottie's wooden tree house is a gorgeous alternative to the (still beloved) pink plastic mansions. Crafted from real wood, this quirky little house has a secret trap door, a porch, a slide, a swing, and a ladder for all her doll besties. Ages 3-12

Vera the Vet Plush Doll

Send a message early on that your kid can, and should, set their sights high. Surprise Powerz has a fantastic line of plush dolls with professions like veterinarian, astronaut, coder, and mathematician. While these dolls are technically aimed at younger kids, children (especially girls) headed into kindergarten deserve all the positive imagery they can get. Ages 2-5

Fire 10 Kids Tablet

There are tablet families, and there are non-tablet families. If you're in the former group, it's the perfect time to invest in an Amazon Fire for the new kindergartener! The latest version comes with parental controls (a must) and a 13-hour battery life. Colors include blue (pictured), pink, Mickey Mouse red, and Disney Princess purple. Ages 3-7

Viaggio Shuttle Booster Car Seat

Just when you thought your days with a bulky, crumb-laden carseat would never end, enter the booster seat! This sleek option from Peg Perego works for kids from 40 to 120 lbs, which is exactly in the window for kids transitioning from preschool to kindergarten.

Preschool Graduation Cap and Gown Set

If you're planning on a party or a photoshoot, a cap and gown would be ridiculously cute. This one comes in sizes small through XL and you can choose from a dozen colors. Each set comes with a sash and a lil' diploma that you'll just have to frame.

Appleton Wooden Swing Set

Amazon reviewers are all about this wooden playset from KidKraft, which also comes in a version with lighter wood. It's affordable (as far as these giant playsets go) and nearly a quarter of the weight of some similar sets. Be warned: You will have to put it together yourself. No ages listed

Waterproof Zoo Backpack

A big kid needs a big backpack! Well, this is actually a pretty small backpack. But look how cute! (And hey, they won't be carrying home heavy science books until much later, anyway.) This brand has a variety of waterproof backpacks in different designs, all beloved by reviewers. No ages listed

RELATED: The 12 Best Toddler Backpacks for Daycare, Pre-K and More in 2024

Kids Lunch Box

There's a reason Bentgo has tens of thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon. These lunchboxes are sturdy, washable, and completely leak-proof. They're large enough to fit a balanced lunch, but compact enough to slip into a small backpack. Chef's kiss! This colorful dino pattern is just one of the many designs on Amazon. Ages 3-7

Slip-On Sneakers

Here's the great thing about these sneakers from Dream Pairs: They're slip-ons, but they still have laces so little kids can practice tying knots. They're perfect for this age range, as evidenced by all the 5-star ratings. With five colors and sizes ranging from 10 toddler to 6 big kid, you'll find a pair that works. (Also, this editor's preschooler squealed over these upon sneaking a peek at this list.)

Personalized ABC "What Can I Be?" Book

Uncommon Goods has a large assortment of personalizable books for kids, and this is a fantastic option for kids who are beginning their educational journey. Simply provide the name and gender of the child, and the book will be altered to make them the main character. No ages listed

RELATED: LGBTQ+ Books for Kids That Teach Acceptance and Understanding

Starry Night Air Fort

Ditch the blankets and break out the inflatable fort! This portable tent is built for kids, but big enough to contain mom or dad for stories before bedtime. Ages 3+

Classic Guitar with Accessories

Get them a gift that will teach them a cool skill with this guitar set from Master Play. It comes in 11 colors — not just baby pink — and includes everything they need to tap into their inner musical prodigy. Ages 4-8

Buildable Solar System

There are so many LEGO sets it can be hard to nail down which one suits your new kindergartener. That's why this kit from LEGO Classic is ideal; it comes with plenty of colors, shapes, and sizes for them to build whatever they're into. Ages 5+

Personalized Thank You Notes

Less of a gift and more of a necessity, don't forget thank you notes! This customizable design, by artist Jennifer Wick, is just one of the many kids' thank you cards available at Minted. No ages listed

Personalized Paw Patrol Duffel Bag

Elementary school may signify the beginning of new activities, and whether that's ballet or baseball, they'll need a duffle. Amazon reviewers love this lightweight, personalizable option, which comes in 24 different designs. (Yes, there's a Frozen one.) No ages listed

Fleece Photo Blanket

Before they start making cool new memories, capture the great times they had at preschool with a photo blanket. It'll make them feel like all their friends are giving them a big hug — while they're still cuddled on the couch. No ages listed

Mini Photo Album

Not really a "photo blanket" family? Print out all the precious pictures of them from preschool and fill up this mini photo album, instead. They can flip through it and never forget all the fun they had on the little-kid slide. No ages listed

Elsa Costume

If your little princess doesn't have an Elsa costume by now, it's time! Splurge on the official Disney version, which also features a tiara headband and snowflake shoes — sold separately. Sizes range from 3T to 13, so your kindergartener is covered.

'On the First Day of Kindergarten' by Tish Rabe

Changes can be hard on kids, and one of the best ways to prepare them is to talk about what is about to happen. This book will walk them through the first day of kindergarten, and while it might not line up exactly with their impending experience, it'll definitely get them familiar with what's to come. No ages listed

Summer Brain Quest: Between Grades Pre-K & K

Give them a leg up with this workbook meant to keep their brain stimulated during the summer months. Don't worry, it's not pre-calc, just fun practice with the alphabet, shapes, numbers, and other age-appropriate subjects.

RELATED: Best Cookbooks for Kids of All Ages in 2024

GeoSafari Jr. Critter Habitat

Get them outside of the darn house with this little habitat perfect for all the creatures they find out in the wild. Now you won't have to poke holes in a jam jar so they can keep a lizard in their room overnight! Ages 3+

RELATED: Best Toys and Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

Freestyle Kids Bike

A new bike is a quintessential gift for kids around this age, and Amazon reviewers adore the rides from RoyalBaby. This one is particularly beloved for its high quality, especially for the price. It comes in eight colors and four wheel-diameter choices, all of which come with either training wheels, a kickstand, or both. Ages 3-9

Graduation Penguin Plush

Do they need another stuffie? Probably not. Would they love one anyway? Absolutely. Get that little smarty-pants a smarty-penguin! No ages listed

Two-Sided Art Easel

Art easels are a terrific way to get kids to embrace their creative side, and we love this one from Little Partners for its sturdy frame, built-in paint canisters, and storage space. Kids get both a white board and a chalk board, so you'd better stock up on dry-erase pens and chalk! Ages 3+

Toy Car Track Set

Look, some kids just want Hot Wheels, alright? Many of the larger sets start with a recommended age that's a bit older, but this two ft tall track is perfect for kids entering kindergarten. Ages 5+

Disneyland Tickets

If you want to go all-out, there's a clear answer here: Disneyland. Know the dates you want to go and you have all your ducks in a row? You can buy tickets directly on Disneyland's site. However, if you're buying for a grandchild, niece, or nephew, you may not know when the family would be able to navigate a trip. If that's the case, buy a gift card at Disney's website and the parents can use it to pay for their tickets; these are redeemable at all Disney locations and you can choose the amount, from $25 up to $500.

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