27 Preschool Graduation Gifts to Get Them Through the Long Summer

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Whether you think preschool graduations are silly and the thought of attending one makes you roll your eyes, or you squeal in pure delight at the thought of a group of children singing out of tune and wearing little mortarboard hats, you have to admit: Preschool graduations are absolutely adorable. If the sight of a 5-year-old proudly gripping a “diploma” doesn’t melt your heart a little bit, well, there’s nothing we can do for you. But regardless of your feelings, there’s going to be a party and you’re going to have to bring a present. And what preschool graduation gifts are acceptable? We have a few ideas.

We wanted to pull together a combination of sentimental gifts, gifts they can play with over the summer (ask any parent: those seasonal breaks can get loooong), and gifts that will encourage curiosity and an ongoing love of learning. Kindergarten is a-calling, people. But first: presents!

Extra Large Inflatable Pool

At almost 10 feet long (that’s, like, three kindergarteners!), 6 feet wide, and 2 feet deep, this baby is huge, and it can keep small children entertained for hours. Bonus? It’s definitely big enough for parents to lounge in after work, too. (Don’t worry: We won’t tell.)

Bug Catcher with Built in Magnifier

Your rising kindergartener may be little, but the truth is there’s a lot of little things in the world that are absolutely fascinating. With this quick-release critter catcher, complete with magnifying lens, they’ll have an opportunity to get up close and personal with nature.

Learning Tablet

Preloaded with 20 educational apps, this tablet is a great summer resource to keep your kiddo entertained and learning. It even comes with three months of LeapFrog Academy, an interactive learning program. And since it’s appropriate for learners from 3 to 8 years, your child will get years of use out of this educational toy.

Percussion Instrument Set

This 33-piece set includes 18 different musical toys that will give your child a solid foundation in music education. From a xylophone to tambourines, bells, and maracas, they’ll have fun grooving their way to kindergarten.

Mr. Pencil ABC Backpack

This self-contained learning toy is great for on the go play. Your child will have a blast practicing their numbers, letters, and spelling with games, songs, and a quick erase magnetic writing tablet.

Watch Out Kindergarten T-Shirt

This preschool graduation gift is great not only for the last day of preschool but also for the first day of kindergarten (or, really, any day of kindergarten when they feel they’re bringing their A-game).

Available in a wide variety of sizes and colors, you’re sure to find the one just perfect for your tiny grad.

Found It! Scavenger Hunt

With this preschool graduation gift, your kiddo will discover a whole new world in the house. Each card prompts fun indoor scavenger hunt missions — can your child find something with a pattern? Something smaller than their palm? The first person to find seven objects (and shout “Found It!”) wins!

Tiny Graduation Stole

This “Preschool Graduate” stole is going to make for so many absolutely adorable pictures. Is it practical? No. But neither is a full-sized one.

It’s a tradition! And all the pomp and circumstance that comes with graduations is adorable when you apply it to small children.

Class Of… Shirt

Customize this T-shirt with your child’s high school graduation (or preschool) year and their name, take a picture each year and watch them grow into it.

Don’t forget to add a handprint each year on the designated space on the back, you know, because you weren’t already crying enough.

‘[Your Kid] Can Change The World’ by Jennifer Dewing

This custom picture book will inspire your preschool graduate as they learn about how their kindness can make the world a better place… and how they can play an important role. Their name will appear on the cover and alongside the sweet illustrations inside.

‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ by Dr. Seuss

This is the perfect preschool graduation gift because it’s the kind of inspiration a 4- or 5-year-old can get behind! Wise but simple, kids will love the whimsical illustrations and charming rhymes of the one and only Dr. Seuss.

Graduation Coloring Book

You’ll love that this sweet coloring book, full of school-related illustrations, will keep your graduate artistic (and working on fine motor skills) over the long summer.

They’ll love that it’s full of kids in graduation attire. It’s a win-win!

Wooden Easel

Your child can be anything they want when they grow up, and this is the perfect preschool graduation gift for the kiddo who already knows they want to be an artist.

Double-sided and with adjustable height, it includes a dry-erase board, a chalkboard, a locking paper-roll holder, a child-safe paper cutter, four easy-clip grips, and a plastic tray on each side that holds art supplies.

‘The Day You Begin’ by Jacqueline Woodson

From National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson and acclaimed illustrator Rafael López, this sweet, poignant book is all about kids finding the courage to connect with new people in new places, even when they feel scared.

When we reach out with our stories, others will feel like they can do the same.

Llama-Rama Waterslide

Because that summer breeze is calling their name and only one thing will answer the call: waterslide racing on an inflatable llama. This concept sells itself.

Your next question, naturally, is “Are the inflatable llamas included?” Yes, yes they are. The 16-foot, two-lane slide also comes with built-in sprinklers.

‘Level Unlocked’ T-Shirt

This is the perfect preschool graduation gift for pint-sized gamers. Available in a variety of colors and styles, this shirt has a hip, vintage feel that’s stylish and adorable, and pays tribute to their love of playing video games. Make sure to indicate grade level when ordering.

Monopoly Jr.

Now that they’re off to grade school, they’re ready to be introduced to the classics! But sometimes, a full game of Monopoly is just more than a preschool grad can handle.

Enter Monopoly Junior! With simplified rules, shorter game time, and kid-friendly properties and game pieces, this is a perfect foray into the wild world of Monopoly.

Butterfly Wings

Your little butterfly will flit around the yard (and camp, and the playground, and going out on errands with you) all summer in these adorable wings.

Handmade of satin, they go on just like a backpack and attach at the wrist for an impressive wingspan. And, as an accessory, they go with just about everything (when you’re 5).

Deluxe Book Backpack

This is a preschool graduation gift that will last forever. Seriously, even your chaotic kid! L.L.Bean backpacks are built tough, comfortable, and have room for everything, so there’s a perfectly reasonable chance your kid could use this through college! (Plus they’ll love having a “Big Kid Backpack.”)

WhatchamaDRAWit

Encourage creativity, communication, and fun with this unique game. Contestants will have to draw a picture based on 96 silly prompts like “draw a scarecrow that is scared of crows” or “draw an ice cream-cone house.” The first one to finish wins and keeps the card, and the player with the most cards wins.

Classic Creative Brick Box

This set of almost 500 Lego bricks is the perfect basis for your child’s career as a master builder. With traditional pieces in 35 different colors, as well as eyes, windows, wheels, and more, your kid can spend hours creating, innovating, and playing. The only limit is their imagination.

STEAM Subscription Box

This monthly crate includes four to six STEAM activities inspired by the environment that will encourage them to get out and explore. There’s also a 12-page educational magazine you can read together.

It’s the perfect preschool graduation gift to keep them busy, curious, and entertained while they wait for kindergarten to start!

Magnetic Tiles

The perfect preschool graduation gift that will unleash your young architect’s imagination. Clear, colorful magnetic tiles can be used to build castles, pets, patterns, and shapes.

And because the possibilities are endless, they’ll enjoy Picasso Tiles for years to come. They’ll have so much fun creating, they won’t even notice they’re gaining an appreciation for spatial reasoning.

The World of Peter Rabbit Gift Set

Beatrix Potter created a magical world based on real creatures found in the woods in her native England. Specially designed for small hands, all 23 original Tales by Potter, from Peter Rabbit to Jemima Puddle Duck, are included in this handsome box set.

Whether they love reading or being read to, it’s a perfect preschool graduation gift.

Magnetic Letters and Numbers

Turn your refrigerator (or any magnetic surface) into a classroom with this tub of colorful and magnetic letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and symbols.

It’s a great preschool graduation gift for the kiddo who wants to keep their hard-earned skills up over the summer.

Eric Carle’s Very Little Library

If your preschooler hasn’t yet encountered Carle’s “very” books, it’s high time they did. If they have, then they probably love them!

This set includes The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Lonely Firefly, and The Very Busy Spider. A great preschool graduation gift to encourage summer reading.

Plush Alligator

You may be wondering what alligators have to do with graduation. Absolutely nothing. We just thought it was cute. Also, they probably don’t have a plush alligator, right?

We’re just saying: There’s literally nothing keeping you from putting a little graduation cap on this guy and making him the best preschool graduation gift ever.

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