10 Engaging Activities for the last week of school
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated April 08, 2024
Creative activities for the last week of school
As the end of the school year approaches, it can be challenging to keep your upper elementary or middle school students engaged and focused. But fear not – there are plenty of enjoyable activities you can do with your class during the last week of school that will help them stay focused and create lasting memories.
Looking for some engaging resources for the last week of school that you can print and use right away? Click on the image or button below to see all of the resources available in my TPT shop!
Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or creative projects, we’ve got you covered with 10 ideas for activities for the last week of school that are sure to make things for everyone. These activities will help your students build teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills while also having a blast.
So, grab your sunscreen and get ready to make the last week of school one to remember! With these fun and engaging activities, you’ll be sure to keep your students focused and energized until the final bell rings.
1- Minute to Win It Games
Minute to Win It is a high-energy activity that can be enjoyed by students of all ages. They are super engaging activities for the last week of school! This game involves a series of minute-long challenges that are designed to test students’ coordination, speed, and accuracy. Some of the challenges can include stacking cups, rolling marbles, or tossing ping pong balls into cups.
The challenges in Minute to Win It can be adjusted to suit the age and skill level of the students, making it a flexible and adaptable activity. By participating in this activity, students will develop teamwork, problem-solving skills, and healthy competition. They will need to work together to complete each challenge, and will learn how to communicate effectively and support each other in order to succeed.
In addition to promoting teamwork, Minute to Win It also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Each challenge requires students to think creatively and use their problem-solving skills to complete the task at hand. This activity can be used as a fun and engaging way to teach students how to approach challenges in a systematic and strategic way.
2- Board Game Day
Board games and card games can be a great way to improve students’ critical thinking skills, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities. By playing in small groups, students also have the opportunity to develop their communication and teamwork skills while having fun. This makes them excellent activities for the last week of school!
To make the activity more engaging, you can encourage students to bring in their favorite games or provide a selection of games that are appropriate for their age range. You can also assign games based on the skills you want them to develop, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, or collaboration.
To add an element of healthy competition, you can keep score or organize a tournament with different rounds or brackets. You can also offer small prizes or incentives for the winning groups or individuals. This can motivate students to stay engaged and focused throughout the activity.
Another way to make the activity more interactive and exciting is to have students create their own games. This can be done individually or in groups, and can be based on specific themes or subjects. By designing and playing their own games, students can develop their creativity and innovation skills while having fun.
3- Talent Show
Organizing a talent show is an excellent way to showcase the diverse talents of your students. Encourage your students to participate by providing them with plenty of opportunities to practice. Be sure to offer support and guidance throughout the process. You can also consider creating different categories for the show, such as singing, dancing, comedy, or even magic tricks, to give every student a chance to shine.
To make these activities for the last week of school even more special, consider setting up a stage or backdrop and inviting other classes or parents to attend. You could even ask a local celebrity or community member to serve as a judge or guest speaker, adding an extra level of excitement to the event.
4- Nature Art
Looking for ways to burn off a little end of the school year energy? Nature art is a great way to explore creativity while also enjoying a little outdoor time.
Check out this bundle of outdoor art activities from my TPT shop. It contains 9 different outdoor art activities. Each activity comes with illustrated activity cards, detailed instructions, graphic organizers, and student templates. They also require zero prep, making them great activities for the last week of school.
For additional teaching ideas and tips for taking students outside, be sure to check out our posts on Outdoor Sit Spots and Playground Polygons for Outdoor Math.
5- Ice Cream Social
An ice cream social is a fun and tasty way to celebrate the end of the school year. You can make it even more exciting by allowing your students to get creative and design their own ice cream treats. Provide a variety of ice cream flavors, toppings, and sauces, and encourage your students to mix and match to create their perfect dessert.
Looking to add an educational element to the ice cream social? You could have your students research the history of ice cream and how it is made. You could also have them create a graph to show which ice cream flavors are the most popular in the class.
6- Field Day
Field Day is a fun and exciting way to get students outside, active, and engaged, making them excellent activities for the last week of school. The day can be planned with a variety of outdoor games and activities, such as relay races, tug-of-war, and obstacle courses. To make the day even more special, consider having the students work together to come up with creative team names and create team flags or shirts to wear during the day.
7- Movie Day
Hosting a movie day in the classroom can be a fun and relaxing activity for students to enjoy before the end of the school year. You can choose a popular movie or two that your students have been eager to watch and provide snacks and drinks to make it even more enjoyable.
Movie day is not only a fun activity for students, but it can also be a great opportunity for teachers to connect with their students in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. It allows students to unwind and enjoy some entertainment before the end of the school year, creating lasting memories with their classmates and teachers.
8- Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Outdoor scavenger hunts are super fun activities for the last week of school. They get students up and moving, helping them burn off a bit of that last week of school energy, while also enjoying some summer sunshine.
If scavenger hunts sound like the end of the year activity you have been searching for, check out these seasonal scavenger hunts from my TPT shop. This bundle comes with 4 different scavenger hunt activities. Each activity comes with illustrated activity cards, detailed instructions, graphic organizers, and more!
Looking for more outdoor learning activities? Check out our posts on Symmetry Stick Bugs and Symmetrical Snowflakes!
9- Host an Art Show
Are you looking for a way to celebrate your students’ creativity and bring your classroom community together during the last week of school? Consider hosting an art show!
Set aside space in your school to display the artwork your students have created throughout the year. This can include paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages, and any other creative projects your students have completed. You can also ask your students to write a brief artist statement to accompany their artwork, describing their inspiration and creative process.
An art show is a great opportunity for your students to showcase their individuality and connect with their peers through art. It also allows them to see and appreciate the unique styles and perspectives of their classmates.
To learn more about the benefits of incorporating art based activities in your classroom curriculum, you may be interested in reading out complete guide to the benefits of arts integration!
10- Engage in Lip Sync Battles
This activity is sure to be a hit with your students, as they can compete in teams or as individuals to perform their favorite songs without actually singing. They can dress up in costumes and use props to make their performance even more entertaining.
The lip sync battle not only allows students to have fun, but also promotes creativity, teamwork, and self-confidence. It encourages students to think outside the box and come up with unique and creative ways to express themselves.
To make the activity even more engaging, you could invite other classes or teachers to watch the performances and cheer on the contestants. You could also provide prizes for the winning team or individual, like a certificate or a small trophy.
Looking for more activities for the last week of school?
Check out this fun reading challenge from my TPT shop! It contains everything you need to host a Summer Reading Challenge, with reading logs, differentiated book lists and activities, graphic organizers, and more!
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