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Home / Early Learning / Music / Preschool Graduation Songs Perfect for End of the Year Slideshows

Preschool Graduation Songs Perfect for End of the Year Slideshows

Shared by Mary Catherine 51 Comments

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.

End of the Year Songs {A Preschool Playlist}

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.

Table of Contents

  • Preschool Graduation Songs for End of the Year Slideshows
  • End-of-Year Classroom Gifts
  • Done-for-You Preschool Resources

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


To Remember by Josh Kelley

Sing Together by Train

You’re My Best Friend by Queen

Safe and Sound by Matthew West


You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman

Lean on Me by Bill Withers

We’re Going to Be Friends by Jack Johnson or by The White Stripes


This Little Light of Mine by Addison Road

Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane or by Rascal Flatts


We Are Family by Sister Sledge

Let Them Be Little by Billy Dean or by Lonestar

You and Me by Dave Matthews Band


Little Wonders by Rob Thomas

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah by James Baskett or by Louis Armstrong

Celebration by Kool and The Gang


These are just some of my favorite preschool graduation songs for end of the year slideshows.  I’m sure there are a ton more out there!

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

End-of-Year Classroom Gifts

At the close of each year, I like to thank my students for giving me the pleasure of spending time with them, teaching them, and having a ton of fun while doing it. It’s important to note that , myself, learn new things with every set of students that comes through my classroom. So, as a thank you to my students, I like to send them off with a small token of my appreciation – a gift. Often times, I will personalize whatever item I choose with a little phrase or saying related to the item.

Only you know the dynamics of your classroom and students. So, you will know the perfect gift for your students. But here are some of my personal favorites (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):

  • Bubbles
  • Temporary tattoos
  • Color-your-own cups
  • Crazy straws
  • Personalized, beaded keychains or bracelets
  • Pinwheels
  • Kids’ sunglasses
  • Buckets filled with small trinkets
  • Play dough
  • Small jars of slime (made in class, or course!)

Remember. An end-of-school year gift is not a necessity. In the past, I have held an additional celebration, outside of their graduation ceremonies, to celebrate my students and all of their accomplishments. I planned an activity that I know they all loved (a water play day!) to show them my appreciation and pride in them.

Finishing another year of preschool, for both student and teacher, is really an accomplishment and should be celebrated as such. So, it really doesn’t matter what you do as long as you celebrate the time you’ve had with your students!

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week, all while balancing other teaching responsibilities and a personal life, can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!

Preschool Teacher 101 is excited to share with you some amazing lesson plans, activity packs, and much more! We offer a wide variety of themes that are frequently used in preschool classrooms, as well as some less common (but super interesting) themes. Click on the image below to learn more about our preschool songs mega bundle product!

Preschool Songs Mega Bundle preschool resource cover.
Preschool Songs Mega Bundle

Join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 today for exclusive access to our amazing products. And we even have three different membership options to suit your needs!

Filed Under: Early Childhood Classroom, Music Tagged With: End of the Year, Music & Movement

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  1. Erika Foreman says

    June 24, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    Thank 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

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 25, 2013 at 11:17 am

      Thanks, 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.

      Reply
      • Robyn McDonald says

        March 7, 2016 at 5:21 am

        I used the song In The Eyes of a Child by Air Supply for a pre school graduation slide show.

        Reply
        • Mary Catherine says

          March 9, 2016 at 9:12 pm

          Ooooh, that’s a sweet one too! Thanks for the suggestion!

          Reply
  2. Lori Hansen says

    June 24, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    I like “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack, and “These Are the Days” by Keith Urban

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 25, 2013 at 11:18 am

      Oh, Lori, thanks for your song ideas too! I’m not sure how I forgot “Unwritten”, and the 2 others would be great too. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Katie says

    June 25, 2013 at 12:30 am

    I 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!!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 25, 2013 at 11:19 am

      Oh, that song is just beautiful too! Thanks for the idea, Katie! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Vanessa @Pre-K Pages says

    June 25, 2013 at 9:39 am

    Great list, you’ve got all my favs on there 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 25, 2013 at 11:16 am

      Thanks, Vanessa! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Yehudis says

    July 30, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    I 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

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      August 5, 2013 at 9:24 pm

      Yay, 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. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Nina says

    March 25, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    You might want to add “ordinary Miricle” by Sarah McLachlan. I cry every time.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 17, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Oh I need to listen to that one again, but I’m sure I’ll get teary too!!

      Reply
  7. Stacie says

    April 11, 2014 at 5:33 am

    The 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!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 14, 2014 at 11:37 pm

      Oh, 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.

      Reply
  8. Tracie says

    April 11, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    I 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”

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 14, 2014 at 11:39 pm

      Another great suggestion, Tracie! Those words are a great way to start off the end of the year playlist. Thanks so much!

      Reply
  9. Sis nesbitt says

    May 7, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    I 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!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 14, 2014 at 11:53 pm

      I hadn’t thought of that one, but I can see how it would be great. Thanks so much for your suggestion! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Jenna Dean says

    May 9, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    One I am loving/using this year is “I Lived” by One Republic!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 14, 2014 at 11:54 pm

      Thanks for the idea, Jenna! I’m going to have to think about adding that to my playlist this year. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jolanda Garcia says

    May 14, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    Thank you for putting this helpful list together. Love reading all the other suggestions as well. Great blog 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 17, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks so much! I loved reading all of the suggestions, too! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Angel Norman says

    May 18, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    One of my favorite good-bye songs. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) by Green Day.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 18, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      Thanks, Angel! I think that’s a great one to add to the list. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Michelle says

    May 18, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    Great 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

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 18, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      Thanks, Michelle! I’m glad to have even more song suggestions for the list. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Stephanie says

    May 20, 2014 at 6:15 am

    Great list! Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift is one I’ve used for fifth grade moving up that would be darling for preschool!

    Reply
  15. Valerie says

    May 26, 2014 at 2:05 am

    these Are All Great Suggestions. My Favorite “Time Of Our Life” By Gree Day.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 26, 2014 at 8:55 am

      Thanks 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”! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Janice says

    May 28, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    Friends are friends forever. Matthew West

    Reply
  17. Sheri says

    May 3, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    Make new Friends. When You Wish Upon a Star and The Goodbye Song

    Reply
  18. audrey childs says

    May 3, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    We 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!

    Reply
  19. Lynn says

    May 5, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    my 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!

    Reply
  20. Hayley says

    May 16, 2015 at 12:59 am

    I 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

    Reply
  21. melanie says

    May 31, 2015 at 7:23 am

    Did 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!

    Reply
  22. Chris says

    June 21, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    This 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!!

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 25, 2015 at 2:07 pm

      How fun is that?!

      Reply
  23. Susan Walsh says

    May 3, 2016 at 8:57 pm

    Thank 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.

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      July 23, 2016 at 5:48 pm

      Thanks so much for the song suggestion! There are so many video slideshow programs out there – which are available for Macs?

      Reply
  24. K Bauer says

    March 6, 2017 at 10:34 pm

    Life is a Highway….”Tom” Cochrane not John

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      March 7, 2017 at 1:37 pm

      Oh 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. 😉

      Reply
      • Laura Smoot says

        May 20, 2017 at 7:29 am

        FOREVER 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!

        Reply
        • Mary Catherine says

          May 30, 2017 at 2:05 pm

          Such a great addition, thank you! 🙂

          Reply
  25. Kathy Fisher says

    May 21, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    Everything Grows, By Raffi

    Thanks a Lot, by Raffi

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      May 22, 2017 at 12:16 am

      Yes, such a good one! 🙂

      Reply
  26. Kharmen says

    May 9, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    Not sure if this has been suggested, if not, “Let Them Be Little,” sung by Billy Dean

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      July 28, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      That’s a great one, thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  27. Stephanie Dardaris says

    May 30, 2021 at 10:03 am

    I used “On My Way” by Phil Collins and “What I Am” by Will.I.Am to keep it upbeat. I thought about using “Never Grow Up” by Taylor Swift but I knew I’d cry. 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary Catherine says

      June 21, 2021 at 11:16 am

      Those are awesome song suggestions!! And I cry every single time!

      Reply
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