These preschool graduation songs are just what you’re looking for when making end of the year slideshows.
Making a few special items for our preschool students at the end of the year is pretty much a tradition. There’s also one big thing we do for the parents, and that’s a slideshow with sweet end of the year songs to go along with pictures of the kiddos from the preschool year.
We also like to put together an individualized DVD slideshow for each child, or a collection of the photo files collected over the year. A preschool portfolio for each of the kiddos is a well-loved treat for the children and parents, alike. They really show how much they’ve grown over the year.
At our end of the year “graduation”, we like to include a slideshow of all the pre-k kids throughout the year. Here’s where the end of the year songs come in.
For all of these slideshows, I always search for songs that are “just right”, sometimes stressing over which songs to include.
Preschool Graduation Songs for End of the Year Slideshows
Below is a list of songs that I’ve come across that are a great fit for your own preschool graduation songs. I think these songs are perfect for pre-k and kindergarten graduations, but they’re also suitable for other grades!
I don’t generally use all of these songs on one slideshow. Rather, they’re a list of possibilities to pick and choose from.
I tried to include direct links to each song if possible. Otherwise, the link is to the entire album.
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Count on Me by Bruno Mars
93 Million Miles by Jason Mraz
Sunshine Medley by Greg & Steve
Sing Together by Train
You’re My Best Friend by Queen
Safe and Sound by Matthew West
Lean on Me by Bill Withers
We’re Going to Be Friends by Jack Johnson or by The White Stripes
Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane or by Rascal Flatts
Let Them Be Little by Billy Dean or by Lonestar
You and Me by Dave Matthews Band
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah by James Baskett or by Louis Armstrong
Celebration by Kool and The Gang
Do you have a favorite song for end of the year programs or graduation ceremonies? If so, I would LOVE to hear about them in the comments section below. I’m always on the lookout for more ideas. 🙂
Check out 25 more end of the year slideshow songs (based on awesome suggestions from you)!
If you’re looking for songs the kids can sing during an end of the year celebration, be sure to check out these ideas.
Originally published on June 24, 2013
Erika Foreman says
June 24, 2013 at 8:40 pmThank you for this list. I will be sure to refer to it next year. Last week I was stuck for choices but at the last minute, I chose the following four songs that worked really well:
1. Greatest Love by Whitney Houston
2.. I Can Fly by R. Kelley
3. True Colours by Phil Collins
4. I Hope You Dance by Leanne Womack
Mary Catherine says
June 25, 2013 at 11:17 amThanks, Erika! I appreciate your song suggestions — I’m always looking to add to my list!! Those are definitely good choices for the end of the year, as well.
Robyn McDonald says
March 7, 2016 at 5:21 amI used the song In The Eyes of a Child by Air Supply for a pre school graduation slide show.
Mary Catherine says
March 9, 2016 at 9:12 pmOoooh, that’s a sweet one too! Thanks for the suggestion!
Lori Hansen says
June 24, 2013 at 9:48 pmI like “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack, and “These Are the Days” by Keith Urban
Mary Catherine says
June 25, 2013 at 11:18 amOh, Lori, thanks for your song ideas too! I’m not sure how I forgot “Unwritten”, and the 2 others would be great too. 🙂
Katie says
June 25, 2013 at 12:30 amI always use the song, “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts for the part of the slideshow that shows how much they’ve grown since the beginning of the year. The words to that song are just perfect!!
Mary Catherine says
June 25, 2013 at 11:19 amOh, that song is just beautiful too! Thanks for the idea, Katie! 🙂
Vanessa @Pre-K Pages says
June 25, 2013 at 9:39 amGreat list, you’ve got all my favs on there 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Mary Catherine says
June 25, 2013 at 11:16 amThanks, Vanessa! 🙂
Yehudis says
July 30, 2013 at 9:48 pmI am so happy I found this site – I always spend HOURS finding the perfect end of the year songs to play. I have used a number of these songs in our end of the year slideshow. I love, love, love the Billy Joel “Let Them Be Little”, especially since my students grow so much (2-3 years old!).
Of course my mind is blanking right now on the other songs I have used (that are not on the list) but I know we have used t
Best of Friends from Disney Fox and the Hound
a song from the Curious George sound track also about friends
“On My Way” From Disney’s Brother Bear
Mary Catherine says
August 5, 2013 at 9:24 pmYay, I’m so glad this was helpful!! And thank you for the additional song ideas. I love that we can all share ideas like this — it’s just going to make those of the year celebrations that much better. 🙂
Nina says
March 25, 2014 at 9:40 pmYou might want to add “ordinary Miricle” by Sarah McLachlan. I cry every time.
Mary Catherine says
May 17, 2014 at 10:09 pmOh I need to listen to that one again, but I’m sure I’ll get teary too!!
Stacie says
April 11, 2014 at 5:33 amThe house at pooh corner by kenny loggins will make you cry it’s so tender and appropriate. I may make a play list of this just to listen to while planning and working on end of the year report cards!
Mary Catherine says
May 14, 2014 at 11:37 pmOh, Stacie, I’m going to have to run off and listen to that soon. Thanks so much for adding to this list! I’m creating an end of the year slideshow this weekend and would love to try out some new songs.
Tracie says
April 11, 2014 at 9:56 pmI always start with the Tarzan song “You’ll Be in my Heart” – another Phil Colins. The beginning words are perfect!
“Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
Hold it tight”
Mary Catherine says
May 14, 2014 at 11:39 pmAnother great suggestion, Tracie! Those words are a great way to start off the end of the year playlist. Thanks so much!
Sis nesbitt says
May 7, 2014 at 10:43 pmI use a few of the songs mentioned but I also use Hannah Montana The Climb. I love it in my DVD. Thanks for the other suggestions!
Mary Catherine says
May 14, 2014 at 11:53 pmI hadn’t thought of that one, but I can see how it would be great. Thanks so much for your suggestion! 🙂
Jenna Dean says
May 9, 2014 at 2:20 pmOne I am loving/using this year is “I Lived” by One Republic!
Mary Catherine says
May 14, 2014 at 11:54 pmThanks for the idea, Jenna! I’m going to have to think about adding that to my playlist this year. 🙂
Jolanda Garcia says
May 14, 2014 at 2:15 pmThank you for putting this helpful list together. Love reading all the other suggestions as well. Great blog 🙂
Mary Catherine says
May 17, 2014 at 10:09 pmThanks so much! I loved reading all of the suggestions, too! 🙂
Angel Norman says
May 18, 2014 at 1:20 pmOne of my favorite good-bye songs. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) by Green Day.
Mary Catherine says
May 18, 2014 at 7:29 pmThanks, Angel! I think that’s a great one to add to the list. 🙂
Michelle says
May 18, 2014 at 8:50 pmGreat List – I can’t wait to add some of these, I have That’s What Friends Are For from the Jungle Book, Happy by Pharrell and Butterfly Fly Away from the Hannah Montana Soundtrack. Thanks all for sharing! Michelle
Mary Catherine says
May 18, 2014 at 9:06 pmThanks, Michelle! I’m glad to have even more song suggestions for the list. 🙂
Stephanie says
May 20, 2014 at 6:15 amGreat list! Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift is one I’ve used for fifth grade moving up that would be darling for preschool!
Valerie says
May 26, 2014 at 2:05 amthese Are All Great Suggestions. My Favorite “Time Of Our Life” By Gree Day.
Mary Catherine says
May 26, 2014 at 8:55 amThanks Valerie! I had so many wonderful suggestions from my readers that I compiled a list of 25 more end of the year songs. I made sure to include Green Day’s “Time of Your Life”! 🙂
Janice says
May 28, 2014 at 8:21 pmFriends are friends forever. Matthew West
Sheri says
May 3, 2015 at 9:40 pmMake new Friends. When You Wish Upon a Star and The Goodbye Song
audrey childs says
May 3, 2015 at 10:51 pmWe started using “So Long, Farewell” from the Sound of Music. We choreograph it in a way that our PreKs leave their seats, walk forward and wave, then go up on stage for a final goodbye, by the time the music ends. This is a great list!
Lynn says
May 5, 2015 at 8:42 pmmy year end slideshow always begins with “Getting to Know You” by James Taylor from the King and I and ends with “You’ve Gotta Friend In Me”! The music in the middle changes from year to year. Thanks for the great ideas!
Hayley says
May 16, 2015 at 12:59 amI always use;
Take that- never forget
Heather smalls- proud
Miley Cyrus- the climb
Script and will I am- hall of fame
You raise me up- found a lovely Irish version
melanie says
May 31, 2015 at 7:23 amDid you mention what program you use? I had a favorite on my old desktop, when it crashed the program went with it. It was so old…… The format for the new program didn’t even seem the same!
Chris says
June 21, 2015 at 8:46 pmThis year my preschoolers did the song “You’ve got a friend in Me”” in sign language.
I taught myself from the internet then the kids. Everyone loved it!!
Mary Catherine says
June 25, 2015 at 2:07 pmHow fun is that?!
Susan Walsh says
May 3, 2016 at 8:57 pmThank you for this list! I love all of your choices! I wish I knew how to make a DVD slideshow. I have a macbook pro and I take lots of pics of my students. I just haven’t learned how to make a slideshow yet. Check out the song “Little Hands” by Jonathan Edwards. It would also be perfect for a preschool slideshow.
Mary Catherine says
July 23, 2016 at 5:48 pmThanks so much for the song suggestion! There are so many video slideshow programs out there – which are available for Macs?
K Bauer says
March 6, 2017 at 10:34 pmLife is a Highway….”Tom” Cochrane not John
Mary Catherine says
March 7, 2017 at 1:37 pmOh my word, I must bow my head in shame. I know that . . . not sure why I wrote the wrong name! Off to fix. You’re awesome for letting me know. 😉
Laura Smoot says
May 20, 2017 at 7:29 amFOREVER YOUNG by The Tenors, not similar to Rod Stewart’s song, is so perfect. If you hadn’t heard this, listen to it before you use your old favorites!
Mary Catherine says
May 30, 2017 at 2:05 pmSuch a great addition, thank you! 🙂
Kathy Fisher says
May 21, 2017 at 6:56 pmEverything Grows, By Raffi
Thanks a Lot, by Raffi
Mary Catherine says
May 22, 2017 at 12:16 amYes, such a good one! 🙂