As the school year winds down, pupils, parents, and teachers alike start counting down to the final day. Whether it’s been a brilliant year or a bit of a slog, finishing the term is something worth recognising. It marks growth, resilience, and often, a sigh of relief. Celebrating the end of the school year doesn’t need to mean a big event, it’s about acknowledging effort and creating a sense of closure before the summer holidays begin.

Here are 10 meaningful, fun, and low-pressure ways to celebrate the end of the school year.

1. Have a “School’s Out” Tea

You could mark the end of term with a proper afternoon tea. You don’t need to go out or spend much. A homemade spread of finger sandwiches, fruit, fairy cakes, and squash (or a pot of tea for the grown-ups) can be just the thing. It’s a cosy, celebratory way to reflect on the year and kick off the summer.

2. Create a Time Capsule

Encourage your child to collect a few things that represent their school year, a photo, a piece of writing, a certificate, maybe even a small item from their pencil case. Add a short letter to their future self. Seal it up and set a date to reopen it, perhaps at the end of primary school, secondary school, or even next summer. It’s a lovely tradition and a chance for reflection.

3. Make a Yearbook (Even a Small One)

Yearbooks aren’t a big thing in UK schools, but you can easily make a mini one at home. Print out a few favourite photos, jot down highlights, funny memories, favourite lessons, and what they’ve learned. It doesn’t need to be fancy; a simple notebook or online photo book does the trick and becomes a treasured keepsake.

4. Plan a Simple Class Send-Off

If you’re part of a parent WhatsApp group, consider organising a small after-school picnic or park meet-up for your child’s class or year group. Nothing over the top, just a blanket, snacks, and space for the kids to run around. It gives everyone a chance to say proper goodbyes before the holidays.

5. Write Thank You Notes to Teachers

It might sound old-fashioned, but a handwritten thank-you card still goes a long way. Teachers really do appreciate being recognised at the end of a long year. Get your child involved, let them write something personal, even if it’s just a few lines. A small token gift (like a plant, book voucher, or homemade biscuits) is a nice extra, but the note is what really counts.

6. Have a ‘Last Day’ Photo Tradition

Mark the final day of school the same way you mark the first. Take a photo outside the house or school gate. Same spot, different energy. Bonus points if you do a side-by-side comparison with the first day of term. It’s a great way to see how much they’ve grown.

7. Set Up a Summer Wishlist

Before the school bags are shoved into cupboards and forgotten, sit down together and create a summer wish list. Include fun stuff (like beach trips, ice cream outings, or sleepovers) and chilled-out things (reading under a tree, having a pyjama day, or watching a family film). It gives some structure to the holidays while keeping things light and enjoyable.

8. Create a ‘Certificate Ceremony’ at Home

Print out a few fun certificates, “Most Improved in Maths,” “Kindness Award,” “Brilliant Reader,” or even “Survived Year 5 with Style.” Tailor them to your child’s achievements. It’s a light-hearted but meaningful way to reflect on what they’ve accomplished. You can present them at dinner or during your “school’s out” tea.

9. Declutter the School Supplies

This one’s not glamorous, but it sets a clean slate. Go through their school bag, sort through exercise books, used-up pens, and broken bits. Recycle what you can and keep what might be reused next year. It clears physical and mental space and helps kids feel like they’re closing one chapter before starting another.

10. Celebrate with a Day Out (If You Can)

If you’ve got the time and means, plan a special outing to celebrate the end of the school year. This could be a trip to a local attraction, a walk in the countryside, the cinema, or just fish and chips at the seaside. It doesn’t need to be big or expensive, it’s the shift in routine and the sense of reward that matters.

The end of the school year is more than just the start of the summer holidays, it’s a chance to pause, appreciate, and transition. Whether your child has flown through the year or just managed to get through it, celebrating that effort in a thoughtful way gives them pride, motivation, and a sense of closure.