Are you stuck trying to figure out just the right activities for the last week of school???
The last few days of school are a funny mix of excitement, wiggly energy, and a whole lot of “Are we done yet?” vibes. Your curriculum is wrapped up, the countdown to summer is in full swing, and your students are basically packed and ready to sprint out the door the second that final bell rings.
But those last few days can actually be pretty special if you give kids the chance to reflect, laugh together, and look ahead to summer. The trick? Keep things simple, meaningful, and very low prep so you’re not spending your last week buried in copies and cutting.
That’s exactly why I love using a few fun reflection activities for the last week of school. (Use the link to grab all these ideas in a done-for-you, print-and-go resource!)
Below are three favorite activities for the last week of school that help students celebrate the year they just finished while getting excited for the summer ahead.
1. Create a Summer Bucket List
By the time the last week of school rolls around, summer is all anyone can think about. So why not lean into it?
First on my list of activities for the last week of school is a summer bucket list is the perfect way to channel that excitement into something creative. Students get to think about all the fun things they want to do before the next school year rolls around.
Start by having students brainstorm ideas. Some kids immediately know what they want to do (“swim every day!”), while others need a little nudge. Reflection questions can help get their ideas flowing:
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What is something you want to learn this summer?
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Where is somewhere you want to go?
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What is something fun you want to try for the first time?
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Who do you want to spend time with?
Once they’ve brainstormed, students narrow their ideas down to their Top 10 summer goals and turn them into a simple bucket list craft.
The finished buckets make a colorful display, and students love sharing their plans with classmates. It’s a fun way to get them dreaming about summer adventures.
2. Write a Letter to Next Year’s Students
This activity is always a class favorite because students get to become the “experts.”
Ask them to think back to the very first day of school. Remember how many questions they had? What they were worried about? What they wish they had known?
Now it’s their turn to help the next group of students.
Students write a friendly letter to next year’s class sharing the inside scoop about your classroom. They might include things like:
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Tips for being successful
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Fun activities they’ll get to do
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Advice about staying organized
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Encouragement for students who might be nervous
To make writing easy, prompt questions can guide their thinking so no one gets stuck staring at a blank page.
Not only does this make a great reflection activity, but it’s also something you can save and share with your new class in the fall. Future students love hearing advice from the kids who sat in their desks the year before.
3. Create Autograph Pages with Positive Affirmations
Remember signing yearbooks as a kid? Students love the chance to collect notes from their classmates before heading off for summer.
But instead of the usual “Have a great summer!,” this activity adds a meaningful twist.
For the final project on my list of activities for the last week of school students create autograph pages filled with positive affirmations. As classmates sign each other’s pages, they also write something kind or encouraging they notice about that person.
For example:
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“You always help people when they are stuck.”
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“You make everyone laugh.”
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“You are really creative.”
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“You are a great friend.”
If students need inspiration, providing a few sample affirmations helps them get started. And this activity pack comes with some great affirmation starting suggestions!
By the end, every student leaves with a collection of uplifting messages from their classmates. It’s a simple activity, but it leaves kids feeling appreciated and reminds them of the friendships they built throughout the year.
Why These Activities for the Last Week of School Work So Well
The final days of school are not the time for complicated projects or long prep sessions. Activities for the last week of school that work best are:
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Easy to implement
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Meaningful for students
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Fun and reflective
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Low prep for teachers
These types of activities for the last week of school help students wrap up the year in a positive way while giving you the breathing room you definitely deserve!
Because let’s be honest… by that point, everyone in the room (teachers included) is ready for summer.
A Simple Way to Make the Last Week Special
If you’re looking for a simple way to fill those final days with meaningful moments, these three activities for the last week of school make it easy. Students get to reflect on the year, celebrate their friendships, and start dreaming about summer adventures.
And the best part? Everything is print-and-go, which means you get to spend less time prepping and more time enjoying those last few days with your students. Grab your activities for the last week of school here!
Because the end of the school year should feel a little magical for teachers, too.
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If you enjoyed these activities for the last week of school, you can find more great ideas for your ELA classroom in one of these articles: