As the school year gently winds down, excitement is building for a milestone moment in every preschooler’s life: graduation! If you’re tasked with planning this special event, you know that music is key to setting the right tone. Finding the perfect Preschool Graduation Songs can feel like a daunting task, but worry no more! This guide is packed with inspiring and fun song ideas to make your little graduates’ ceremony unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for catchy tunes with adapted lyrics, already perfect hits, heartwarming kids’ songs, or even religious options, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list to get you started and ensure your preschool graduation is pitch-perfect.
Choosing the Right Preschool Graduation Songs: Setting the Stage
Selecting the right music is about more than just picking catchy tunes; it’s about crafting an atmosphere that celebrates achievement and new beginnings. Consider these elements when making your choices for preschool graduation songs:
- Age Appropriateness: Preschoolers respond best to songs with simple melodies, repetitive lyrics, and themes they can relate to, like friendship, dreams, and growing up.
- Message and Tone: Do you want upbeat and celebratory, or sentimental and reflective? The songs you choose should align with the overall feeling you want to create for the ceremony.
- Engagement Factor: Songs that encourage movement, singing along, or even simple choreography can make the graduation more interactive and fun for the children (and more engaging for the audience!).
- Length and Pacing: Keep songs relatively short to maintain attention spans. Mix faster and slower tempos to create a dynamic and engaging program.
- Variety: Include a mix of song types to cater to different tastes and moments in the ceremony – perhaps an upbeat opening song, a sentimental song during the ceremony, and a fun, celebratory recessional.
Preschool Graduation Songs with a Fun Twist: Modified Lyrics
Sometimes, a familiar tune with a fresh, graduation-themed spin is just the ticket! These songs take popular melodies and adapt the lyrics to celebrate this special preschool milestone:
“ABC You Later” (to the tune of “ABC” by The Jackson 5) – Obie Leff
This catchy and upbeat song is specifically designed for preschool and kindergarten graduation! Obie Leff even provides a fun, easy-to-follow choreography video, making it a breeze to get the little ones moving and grooving as they celebrate moving on. “ABC You Later” is a playful way to say goodbye to preschool and hello to new adventures.
“Kindergarten, Kindergarten” (to the tune of “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra)
Take a classic and make it perfectly preschool graduation appropriate! Frank Sinatra’s iconic tune becomes an ode to the next big step: Kindergarten (or First Grade!). Changing “New York, New York” to “Kindergarten, Kindergarten” is just the beginning – you can adapt other lyrics to reflect the graduation theme, making this a sophisticated yet fun choice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jptm2b3PEIs
“Big Big Dreams”
While originally written as a graduation song, “Big Big Dreams” perfectly captures the spirit of preschool graduation. It speaks directly to the boundless potential and aspirations of young children, encouraging them to dream big as they embark on their next chapter. Its positive message and gentle melody make it a heartwarming addition to any ceremony.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUChlUXc2QU
Graduation Songs – Big Dreams
“Addams Family Theme Graduation” (to the tune of “The Addams Family Theme Song”)
A guaranteed kid-pleaser! The instantly recognizable “Addams Family” theme song, with its snap-snap rhythm, becomes a hilarious and engaging graduation anthem with adapted lyrics. Its quirky and fun nature makes it ideal for keeping the mood light and entertaining, ensuring smiles from both kids and parents.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9klmylpVyNI
“Shake It Off Graduation” (to the tune of “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift)
Tap into pop culture with a Taylor Swift twist! “Shake It Off,” with its infectious energy, can be transformed into a graduation celebration anthem. The accompanying video provides inspiration for lyric changes, allowing you to personalize this popular hit for your preschool graduates and add a modern, fun vibe to the ceremony.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJOLIavFumw
“Grease Graduation Parody” (to the tune of “Grease” from the musical Grease)
Get ready for some head-bopping fun! A “Grease” parody brings a retro, feel-good vibe to your preschool graduation. The catchy tune and modified lyrics in the linked video are sure to get stuck in everyone’s heads – in a good way! It’s a song that parents will enjoy humming along to, while the kids have a blast singing and dancing.
Songs Already Perfect for Preschool and Kindergarten Graduation
No lyric-tweaking needed here! These songs are already wonderfully suited for a preschool or kindergarten graduation, with themes of friendship, growth, and celebrating individuality:
“Count on Me” by Bruno Mars
A feel-good anthem about friendship and support, “Count on Me” is universally loved and perfectly appropriate for a preschool graduation. Its positive message and easy-to-sing chorus make it ideal for kids to learn and perform. Plus, it’s wonderfully choreographable for an added element of fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMsvwwp6S7Q
“ABC123” by The Jackson 5
A timeless classic that bridges generations! “ABC123” is not only educational but also incredibly catchy and fun. Adults will be transported back to their childhood while kids will love bouncing along to the infectious beat. It’s a celebration of learning and a perfect graduation song for kids.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxpmbEATBH0
Graduation Songs – Jackson 5
“What I Am” by Will.I.Am
Promoting self-acceptance and celebrating individuality, “What I Am” is a powerful and positive choice. Its Sesame Street connection makes it instantly familiar to preschoolers. Let your students share this empowering message with their families as they graduate, highlighting what makes each of them special and unique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Vd2UHBbjA
“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story by Randy Newman
A classic song about the power of friendship! “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” beautifully captures the bonds formed during preschool. It’s a heartwarming choice to celebrate the friendships made in school and a song that everyone in the audience will likely know and love, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5uVEN5z1f0
Heartwarming Graduation Songs Just for Kids
These songs are specifically created for children, often with gentle melodies and themes of growth, dreams, and the wider world:
“The World is a Rainbow” by Greg & Steve
A celebration of diversity and individuality! “The World is a Rainbow” embraces the beauty of differences and encourages children to be true to themselves. Its message of inclusivity and acceptance makes it a meaningful and uplifting song for a preschool graduation, emphasizing the importance of each child’s unique contribution to the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVv0U_FYIck
Graduation Songs – Rainbow
“One Small Voice” by Jack Hartman
Empowering and encouraging, “One Small Voice” teaches children that even the smallest voice can make a big difference. It’s a song of encouragement for preschoolers as they move on to new adventures, inspiring them to speak up, find their place, and realize their potential to impact the world around them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn54ZzC5XK8
“Everything Grows” by Raffi
A gentle and reflective song about growth and change, “Everything Grows” is perfect for a preschool graduation. It beautifully illustrates the concept of growth in nature – plants, animals, and children! It’s a lovely way to celebrate the preschoolers’ development and the exciting growth that lies ahead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkTZMeMdL3w
Religious Graduation Songs for Kindergarten and Preschool
For faith-based preschools or families who wish to incorporate religious themes into the graduation ceremony, these songs offer meaningful and uplifting options:
“I Am a Promise”
A song of faith and purpose, “I Am a Promise” celebrates the belief that each child is created with a special purpose by God. It’s a beautiful reminder of their potential and the possibilities that lie ahead, encouraging them to embrace their faith as they grow and learn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGD4IEwOyjQ
Graduation Songs – Promise
“He’s Still Working on Me”
A song of grace and growth, “He’s Still Working on Me” acknowledges the children’s development and the continuous journey of learning and growth in faith. It offers a comforting message that growth is a lifelong process and that they are supported and guided as they move forward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TryWSimZjeg
“If I Were a Butterfly”
A classic children’s Christian song, “If I Were a Butterfly” celebrates the uniqueness and specialness of each child as created by God. The linked resource provides lyrics and actions, making it interactive and engaging for preschoolers. It’s a joyful and simple way to incorporate faith into the graduation celebration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaLzudhlxxk
Beyond the Music: Creating a Memorable Preschool Graduation
While preschool graduation songs are a vital part of the ceremony, remember to think about the bigger picture! Here are a few extra tips for creating a truly special event:
- Personalize it: Incorporate elements that are unique to your preschool class – inside jokes, special memories, or artwork they’ve created.
- Keep it short and sweet: Preschoolers have limited attention spans. Aim for a ceremony that is engaging but doesn’t drag on too long.
- Involve the children: Give the preschoolers active roles in the ceremony – singing, performing actions, presenting artwork, or even saying a few words.
- Capture the memories: Designate someone to take photos or videos, or set up a photo booth for families to capture the special day.
- Celebrate achievements: Focus on celebrating everything the children have accomplished during their preschool year, big and small.
Planning a preschool graduation is a labor of love. We hope this playlist of preschool graduation songs inspires you to create a joyful and memorable ceremony that celebrates your little graduates and their exciting journey ahead! And for more graduation resources, be sure to explore our Kindergarten Graduation Resources for even more ideas and inspiration!
