10 Exciting and Meaningful End-of-Year Activities for Upper Elementary

As the school year winds down, upper elementary students are buzzing with excitement, and let’s be honest, so are we! The final weeks of school are the perfect time to celebrate the learning, growth, and memories made throughout the year. But just because summer is around the corner, the learning doesn’t have to stop. These end-of-year activities for upper elementary students are fun and memorable and sneak in a little learning.

Here are 10 end-of-year activities for upper elementary to wrap up the year with smiles, laughter, and meaning.

1. Create a Classroom Memory Book

Make memory books to give students time to reflect on their school year. Include prompts like “My favorite project,” “Something I learned this year,” and “Funniest classroom moment.” You can even leave space for student doodles, autographs, or classroom photos.

Memory books are great end-of-year activities for upper elementary students because they combine writing skills, creativity, and reflection in one fun package.

2. Host a Classroom Awards Ceremony

Skip the traditional certificates and try funny or unique awards like “Most Likely to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse” or “Future Author.” You can include serious awards, too, like “Math Master” or “Kindness Captain.” To keep it interactive, let students vote on categories or nominate classmates.

This activity helps build confidence and celebrates each student’s unique personality and achievements.

3. End of Year Classroom Campout

Turn your classroom into a cozy “campground.” Students can bring a flashlight and a towel or blanket. Dim the lights, read books, write stories, or reflect on the school year. Add simple snacks like trail mix or popcorn to make it feel special.

This activity keeps things calm, cozy, and educational enough to fit into your lesson plans.

4. Create Time Capsules

Have students fill out a “time capsule” worksheet with details about themselves, their favorites, and their goals for the future. Add a small item or drawing, then seal it up. You can mail it to students the next school year or give them the option to open it at a set future date.

These end-of-year activities for upper elementary are a thoughtful way to reflect on growth and capture memories meaningfully.

5. Play End of Year Bingo

Design a bingo card filled with classroom moments and experiences: “Answered a question in math,” “Helped a classmate,” “Read a chapter book,” “Tried something new.” Students can check off boxes and share stories behind each one.

It’s a great mix of reflection, conversation, and just plain fun, plus, it gets students talking about all they’ve accomplished.

6. Collaborative Class Mural or Poster

Give your students a large sheet of paper or bulletin board space and let them create a mural of memories. They can draw, write, and decorate it with things they loved about the school year. Add a “Class of 2025” header and take a group photo before it for extra memory-making.

This is one of those end-of-year activities for upper elementary that blends creativity with classroom community-building.

7. STEM Challenges with a Twist

Wrap up the year with engaging STEM tasks that feel more like play than work. Try building paper bridges, marble runs, or towers using spaghetti and marshmallows. Add a “summer survival” theme for fun: Can your boat float? Can your shelter withstand wind?

STEM challenges help students apply critical thinking and teamwork, even when their minds are halfway to summer break.

8. Classroom Yearbook or Digital Slideshow

Assign each student a page or slide to create their “yearbook” entry. They can include pictures, favorite memories, goals, and kind words for classmates. Combine everything into one big slideshow or printed keepsake.

This is not only an awesome memory-maker, but it also allows students to practice digital design or creative writing skills.

9. End of Year Escape Room

Create an escape room-style challenge with puzzles and clues that review key content from the year. Whether it’s math problems, vocabulary riddles, or science facts, you can make it as academic (or silly) as you want.

It’s the perfect way to sneak in a review without feeling like a test, and kids love the challenge and teamwork.

10. Plan a “Student-Run” Day

Let your students take over for a day, within reason! Assign jobs like weather reporter, math teacher, read-aloud leader, or classroom DJ. They’ll get a kick out of running the show, allowing you to observe how much they’ve grown.

It’s a powerful reminder to them (and you!) of how capable they’ve become over the year.

Make It Count

The end of the school year doesn’t have to feel like a countdown; it can be full of meaningful learning and joyful experiences. These end-of-year activities for upper elementary students balance academics and fun, helping you celebrate your classroom community while creating lasting memories.

Whether you’re making a mural, building time capsules, or camping out with flashlights and books, these final weeks can be some of the most special ones of all. You’ve all worked hard, now it’s time to enjoy it together.

What are your favorite end-of-year activities for upper elementary? Let me know in the comments or tag me on Instagram to share your classroom celebrations!

For more teaching ideas, check out these posts:

Setting Up Literacy Centers in Upper Elementary Without the Stress

10 End-of-Year Classroom Games to Keep Upper Elementary Students Excited to Learn

Engaging Upper Elementary Students with Math Games Worksheets