75 Best Elementary Graduation Gifts to Mark Their Special Milestone
Graduating from elementary school is a big deal! It calls for high fives, happy tears, and the perfect elementary graduation gifts to celebrate their leap into the big leagues of learning.
That soon-to-be middle schooler is on the brink of new adventures, and that deserves a gift! Whether you’re after something fun, meaningful, or just plain cool, we’ve rounded a whole lot of awesome elementary graduation gifts that 11- and 12-year-olds will love and actually use.
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Our Top 5 Graduation Gifts for Elementary Students
Want to celebrate your elementary grad but not sure what to get? These 5 gift ideas are fun, thoughtful, and sure to make them smile.
National Geographic Kids Almanac 2025
Polaroid Camera
Stuffed Animal with Graduation Cap
Chess Set
Rebus Puzzles
Keep reading for the full list, packed with fun, meaningful elementary graduation gifts they’ll love, from practical picks to creative surprises, budget-friendly options to splurge-worthy treats!
75 Elementary Graduation Gifts
Whether you’re celebrating a book-loving scholar, a budding artist, or an adventure-seeking tween, we’ve got the perfect gift to make their big milestone extra special. From fun experiences to personalized keepsakes, here are the best elementary graduation gifts to surprise and delight your grad!
Budget-Friendly Graduation Gifts
Small in cost but big on meaning, these simple elementary graduation gifts will make any young student feel proud and celebrated.
Super Fun Stickers
A colorful and creative way to personalize notebooks, water bottles, skateboards, or grow their sticker collection.
Color-Changing Mood Ring
A fun throwback that sparks curiosity – a mood ring adds a touch of graduation magic to their special day.
Stress Ball Set
Perfect for calming nerves and keeping hands busy, a stress ball is great for winding down after a busy school year.
Mini Brain-Teaser Puzzle
Gifting a brain-teaser puzzle to an elementary grad is a fun way to challenge their mind and offer a quiet activity they can enjoy alone or with a friend.
Glow-in-the-Dark Stars
Give them the chance to transform their room into a magical space with these fun and affordable glow-in-the-dark stars.
Extravagant Elementary Graduation Gifts
For those looking to spoil their young graduate, these wow-worthy gifts make a bold and memorable statement.
Polaroid Camera
Let them instantly capture memories with a fun and nostalgic Polaroid camera – perfect for snapping moments they can hold in their hands and cherish forever.
VR Headset
Open the door to a whole new world with a VR headset, providing an immersive gaming and virtual reality experience they won’t forget.
Nintendo Switch Console
Give them the gift of endless fun with a Nintendo Switch, offering a portable and immersive gaming experience that’s perfect for any young gamer.
Electric Scooter
An electric scooter is a fun and practical way for pre-teens to cruise the neighborhood with style, speed, and a sense of independence.
LEGO Set
Give them the ultimate building experience with a high-end LEGO set they’ve been dreaming of – whether it’s a detailed architecture series or their favorite character collection, this gift will keep them engaged for hours of creative fun.
Books for the Elementary Graduate
A great book makes a thoughtful keepsake and a fun way to keep kids engaged over the summer. Add a heartfelt note or a favorite graduation quote inside, and you’ve got a gift they’ll remember for years to come.
The Berenstain Bears’ Graduation Day
A classic and heartwarming way to mark the occasion, this book follows the Bear family as they celebrate Brother Bear’s graduation day.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
A timeless Dr. Seuss book, this graduation favorite encourages kids to dream big and embrace new challenges.
What Do You Do With an Idea?
This inspiring story by Kobi Yamada encourages creativity, confidence, and the courage to chase big dreams, which is ideal for grads stepping into their next chapter.
National Geographic Kids Almanac 2025
For the kid who wants to know everything about everything, this is a must-have. Packed with stunning photos, fun facts, activities, and updates on animals, science, technology, and more, the National Geographic Kids Almanac is the ultimate resource for curious minds. Plus, with maps, fast facts, and homework help, it’s both fun and super useful!
A Personalized Book
Websites like Wonderbly allow you to customize books with the graduate’s name, making for a truly special keepsake.
The Best Ever Cat Facts Coloring Book
For the elementary grad that loves cats, The Best Ever Cat Facts Coloring Book is the purr-fect graduation gift! This fun and educational coloring book not only entertains but also sparks curiosity with fascinating cat facts on every page.
Gift Cards for Fun and Freedom
Let your graduate choose their own adventure with a gift card. Whether they’re into dining, gaming, reading, or exploring new experiences, there’s a perfect option to celebrate their achievement.
Restaurant Gift Card for a Special Meal
A gift card to their favorite restaurant, or to a place you think they’ll love, is a thoughtful way to celebrate your elementary grad’s big milestone. Whether they go for pizza, burgers, or a cozy café lunch, it gives them the freedom to enjoy a special meal out and feel a little more grown up.

Amazon Gift Card
An Amazon gift card provides the flexibility to choose from a massive selection of items, from books and electronics to clothes and furniture. It’s a practical gift that allows them to pick exactly what they need or want.

Gift Card to a Local Store
Support local businesses by gifting a card to a nearby boutique, bookstore, or specialty shop. It’s a thoughtful way to encourage your grad to explore and engage with their community.

Roblox or Nintendo eShop Gift Card
For the gamer in your life, these gift cards unlock access to new games, in-game upgrades, and exclusive content. It’s a thoughtful way to support their hobby and provide them with endless entertainment.

Gift Card to an Escape Room
An escape room gift card offers an exciting, interactive challenge that’s perfect for a group of friends or family. It’s a fun way to encourage teamwork and problem-solving skills while creating lasting memories.

Bookstore Gift Card (Barnes & Noble, Indigo, local book shop, etc.)
If they love to read, a bookstore gift card lets them choose their next favorite book. It’s a gift that encourages continuous learning and provides endless hours of enjoyment.

Practical Graduation Gifts
These practical elementary graduation gifts are the ones that your grad will find useful every day.
Piggy Bank
Kickstart good saving habits with a fun piggy bank. It’s an easy way to help them learn about money management in a way that’s both fun and functional.
Planner
Help them stay organized with a colorful student planner. This will keep them on top of schoolwork, activities, and important dates.
Financial Literacy Books for Kids
Books that explain money in an easy-to-understand way – like How to Money: Your Ultimate Visual Guide to the Basics of Finance – teach kids about the importance of budgeting, saving, and responsible spending.
Durable Backpack with Multiple Compartments
A roomy, well-made backpack preps them for middle school life with space for books, supplies, and snacks.

Locker Organizer Set
Help them start middle school strong with a locker organizer and decorating kit. This set includes a shelf, magnets, a dry erase board with marker, and a mirror—everything they need to keep their space neat and personalized.
Tech and Gadgets for Tweens
Give them something cool to capture memories or make life easier.
HUE Animation Studio: Complete Stop Motion Kit
This stop motion kit offers young creators an all-in-one stop motion kit—complete with a flexible USB camera, intuitive software, and a colorful animation guide—making it easy to bring their stories to life. Recommended by educators worldwide, it’s a fun and educational tool that fosters creativity, storytelling, and digital literacy.
Smart Watch
Here’s a fun and functional gift that encourages healthy habits and active play. With features like step tracking, heart rate monitoring, and a waterproof design, this smart watch is perfect for young graduates ready to take on new adventures.
Portable Charger Power Bank
Equip your graduate with the ultimate travel companion, a Portable Charger Power Bank that keeps all their devices charged on the go. Its built-in cables and multiple output ports make it an essential tool for staying connected anywhere.
Wireless Headphones
Gift your graduate the freedom of wireless music with a set of bluetooth headphones. With long-lasting battery life and a comfortable fit, these headphones are ideal for daily commutes, study sessions, or relaxation.
Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Help your elementary grad keep the party going wherever they are with a portable Bluetooth speaker, perfect for beach days, study music, or backyard hangouts.
Alarm Clock
Middle school means earlier mornings, and a great alarm clock makes waking up a little easier.
Gifts for the Graduate Who Loves Writing
For the young writer or artist, these elementary graduation gifts encourage self-expression.
Journal
A cute or personalized writing journal offers a special place for them to jot down thoughts, doodle, or set goals. It’s also perfect for organizing collections like stickers or stamps, making it both fun and functional.

Fun Gel Pens and Pencil Crayons
A set of gel pens or colorful pencil crayons make writing, doodling, and note-taking more exciting. With so many vibrant colors to choose from, every letter or drawing becomes a mini masterpiece.

Greeting Cards
For kids who love the charm of snail mail, a creative and interesting set of nicely designed greeting cards gives them the perfect excuse to put pen to paper. Whether they’re sending thank-yous, birthday wishes, or just saying hello, it’s a timeless way to stay connected.

Scrapbook Kit
A scrapbook kit offers a creative way for kids to capture their elementary school memories before transitioning to middle school. They can compile photos, drawings, and keepsakes from the past year (or even from first grade onward) into a personalized album. This activity not only preserves cherished moments but also provides a fun, reflective project to celebrate their growth.

Learning Games and Puzzles
Games and puzzles are a wonderful way to help kids learn through play. Whether they’re building, thinking, or laughing their way through game night, these elementary graduation gifts combine fun and brainpower in the best way.
STEM Building Kit
Encourage their creativity with STEM kits that allow them to build and invent. From designing marble runs to constructing simple machines, these hands-on kits inspire curiosity and problem-solving.

Math Card Games
A fun and interactive way to practice math skills while playing. Math games with a deck of cards turn equations into exciting challenges, helping kids boost their confidence with numbers while having a blast. Grab a classic deck of playing cards here to get started, simple, affordable, and super cute!
Jigsaw Puzzle
A challenging yet fun jigsaw puzzle gives kids a sense of accomplishment once completed. It also promotes patience, spatial awareness, and focus all while creating something beautiful, one piece at a time.

Timeless Board Game Gift
Surprise that elementary grad with a classic board game that’s been loved for generations, think Scrabble, Clue, The Game of Life, Monopoly, or even Battleship. These timeless picks offer hours of unplugged fun, spark friendly competition, and are a great way to connect across generations while celebrating a new milestone.

Chess Set
A chess set makes a timeless and thoughtful graduation gift, perfect for developing strategic thinking and concentration. Learning chess encourages kids to plan ahead, think critically, and reflect on each move – skills they’ll use far beyond the board.

Escape Room Board Game
Bring the thrill of a puzzle-solving adventure into your living room with an escape room board game. It’s a fun and fast-paced way for the whole family to work together, think creatively, and beat the clock.

Strategy Board Games
Introducing kids to strategy games helps them develop valuable life skills like problem-solving, planning, and teamwork. With games like Catan, Ticket to Ride, Blokus, Kingdomino, and Risk, young players can strengthen their planning abilities, learn to make decisions, and gain confidence as they enjoy friendly, educational competition.

Rebus Puzzles
Rebus puzzles challenge kids to decode hidden words and phrases using pictures, symbols, and letters, making them perfect for developing lateral thinking and language skills. Our Rebus Puzzle Bundle is full of clever, classroom-ready brain boosting picture puzzles that are as fun as they are educational.

Creative Elementary Graduation Gifts
Graduation is the perfect time to celebrate creativity and self-expression. These gifts encourage kids to explore their artistic side, whether they love to draw, build, paint, or perform.
Custom T-Shirt Design
Let them create their own wearable masterpieces! This can be as simple as gifting them with a blank shirt and fabric markers or as involved as a full tie-dye kit, either way, it’s a fun and expressive activity they’ll be proud to show off.
For a magical surprise, secretly turn one of their drawings or sayings into a custom t-shirt. This is something they’ll never expect and guarantee they’ll light up when they see their artwork as merch! Check out Sticker Mule for your custom print needs!
Origami Kit
An origami kit is perfect for elementary grad who loves working with their hands and paying attention to detail. Whether it’s a simple beginner set or an advanced paper-folding challenge, origami builds patience and creativity one fold at a time.

DIY Clay or Pottery Kit
Let grads sculpt, paint, and bake their own creations with a clay pottery kit. This is perfect for artistic kids who like to get hands-on.

Middle School Survival Kit
A clever, funny, and practical gift filled with essentials like fun pens, deodorant, a locker mirror, lip balm, stress ball, affirmation cards, and a journal. Package it in a pencil case or small backpack for bonus points.

Karaoke Microphone
A Bluetooth karaoke microphone lets kids sing their heart out at home or with friends. It’s perfect for boosting confidence, self-expression, and sharing some silly, musical fun.

Room Decor and Cozy Gifts
Help them create a cool, comfy space to relax, recharge, and show off their personality. These cozy additions make their room feel like a true reflection of them.
Bean Bag Chair
A bean bag chair is a cozy addition to their room for reading, gaming, or just lounging after a long day. It’s the perfect low-key hangout spot that adds comfort and fun to any space.

Personalized Wall Art
Custom prints or paintings with their name, favorite quote, or even a piece of their artwork make their space feel one-of-a-kind. It’s a great way to celebrate their style and accomplishments.

Fairy Lights
String lights add a whimsical touch to any room. Whether draped around a window or across a bed frame, they make the space feel warm and inviting.

Lava Lamp
The groovy and cozy lava lamp makes for a decor piece that adds movement and color to their space. It’s both calming to watch and a fun way to make their room feel unique and relaxed.
Mini Terrarium Kit
Bring some fun and a little nature indoors while teach responsibility with a terrarium kit. These packages are low-maintenance and make great little buddies for their desk or nightstand.

LED Strip Lights
Having colorful, customizable, and super cool LED strip lights let them change the vibe of their room with the tap of a button. Perfect for music sessions, gaming setups, or just relaxing in style.
Wall Decals
Fun, peel-and-stick designs that are easy to apply and remove without damage. They’re perfect for switching things up as they grow and change interests.

Fun and Trendy Clothes
Celebrate their style with fashion-forward picks they’ll love wearing. From personalized pieces to bold accessories, these gifts are both fun and functional.
Fun Socks
Socks with wild patterns, fuzzy textures, or their favorite animals make a quirky yet practical gift. It’s a small surprise packed with big, fashion-forward personality!

Graduation T-Shirt
A nostalgic tee that says “Class of 2025” makes a great keepsake. They’ll love wearing it to celebrate this big milestone.
💡 Want to design an original elementary graduation t-shirt?
You can create custom t-shirts (and more!) on Sticker Mule, plus, you’ll get a $12.50 CAD store credit with this link: https://bit.ly/StickerMuleSavings
Customized Hoodie
Add their name, initials, or school mascot to a hoodie for a stylish gift with a personal touch. It’s something they’ll choose to wear, and do so proudly, long after graduation.
Friendship Bracelet Kit
A creative friendship bracelet kit lets them design, make, and share bracelets with their friends. It’s a fun, hands-on way to stay connected and celebrate the friendships they’ve made in elementary school.

Themed Crocs
These comfy, casual shoes are a huge hit with tweens and come in tons of colors and designs to match any personality. Add a few fun charms to the Crocs or mix-and-match Jibbitz to turn them into a wearable celebration of everything they love.
Personalized and Sentimental Gifts
Make their graduation gift extra special with a personal touch they’ll treasure for years.
Stuffed Animal with a Graduation Cap
A cuddly keepsake that blends comfort with celebration, a teddy bear in a cap and gown is always a classic elementary graduation gift. It’s a sweet reminder of their big accomplishment they can hold onto for years to come.

Personalized Name Sign
A charming addition to their bedroom, customized with their name or favorite colors. This personalized piece adds a unique touch that will make their space feel even more like their own.
Engraved Pen
A small but meaningful gift that celebrates their graduation in style. With their name or a meaningful message, this personalized pen will serve as a reminder of their hard work and achievement.

Framed Picture
A collection of memorable elementary school moments, captured in a personalized, framed print. It’s a heartfelt way to look back on the friends, moments, and milestones they’ve experienced.
Experience-Based Gifts
Memories last longer than things, and these experience-based gifts will create unforgettable moments.
Amusement Park or Water Park Tickets
How about a day of fun and adventure to celebrate their graduation milestone? Whether it’s roller coasters or water slides, it’s a fantastic way to unwind and enjoy the excitement together.

Art or Music Lessons
If they love to create, an art or music lesson can ignite their passion. Sign them up for a fun workshop or summer camp to help them develop their skills and explore their creativity.
You can find engaging, kid-friendly classes on Outschool and get $20 off your child’s first class with this link. Not sure what Outschool is? Here’s a quick blog post that breaks it down.

Sponsor an Animal at a Wildlife Sanctuary
A thoughtful gift for animal lovers, where they can adopt an animal and learn more about wildlife conservation. It’s a unique way to make a difference and feel connected to nature.

Weekend Trip or Family Getaway
A short vacation or road trip to mark the occasion. Whether it’s exploring a new city or relaxing at a cabin, a getaway is a perfect way to unwind and celebrate together.

Tickets to a Concert, Play, or Sports Event
A special event to celebrate their graduation and create memories. Whether it’s a concert, theater performance, or live sports, it’s a gift that will add excitement to their graduation year.

Just for Fun (Because They Deserve It!)
Small gifts that bring big smiles and add a bit of joy to their day.
Candy Gift Box
Fill a small box, or these super cute graduation cap gift boxes, with their favorite sweets for a fun and sweet surprise. It’s the perfect way to indulge their sweet tooth and celebrate their achievement with a festive treat.
Don’t want to do it yourself? No problem. Gift them a candy snack box and they’ll be thrilled!

Book of the Month Club
If you have an avid reader at home, encourage their love of reading with a book club subscription that delivers an engaging novel every month. It’s a fun, screen-free gift that keeps the pages turning, and if they finish quickly, you can easily add extra titles to keep up with their appetite for stories.
Movie Night Bundle
Everything they need for a cozy movie night at home: popcorn, candy, and a streaming gift card for a personalized cinematic experience. It’s the perfect at-home celebration!

Fun Book of Jokes, Riddles, and Facts
A book filled with jokes, riddles, or fun facts keeps them entertained and giggling for hours. It’s a simple, yet highly enjoyable way to spark laughter and social interaction with friends and family.
💡 Do your kids like facts? What about cats? Well, so do we!
These blogs are filled with fascinating information about felines:
27 Cat Picture Books for Kids Who Love Cats
33 Cat Facts for Kids: Fascinating Insights about Felines
This is One of the Best Picture Books to Teach Vocabulary
Montessori-Aligned Tips for Choosing Graduation Gifts for Elementary Grads
When selecting a graduation gift for an elementary student, focus on items that nurture their independence, creativity, and love of learning – core values of Montessori education. Look for gifts that encourage exploration, hands-on discovery, or real-world skills, such as nature kits, art supplies, books, journals, or simple tools for practical life activities.
Think meaningful over materialistic. Aim for gifts that will grow with them and support their journey toward becoming capable, confident individuals who continue to embrace learning with curiosity and enthusiasm. Also, consider giving experiences rather than things – like a special outing, class, or creative subscription – that create lasting memories and inspire their interests.
The Wrap-Up: Elementary Graduation Gifts
No matter what you choose, the best elementary graduation gifts are ones that celebrate their achievements, support their interests, and excite them for the future! Whether you’re on a budget or looking for something extravagant, these ideas are sure to bring smiles and create lasting memories.
📌 This list of elementary graduation gifts is worth pinning for later!

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