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[Graduation Party] A collection of performance ideas to liven up thank-you and farewell gatherings

Are you having trouble choosing performances for the graduation ceremony, thank-you party, or farewell gathering? Because it’s a special day filled with memories from the nursery school, you’ll want to present something that brings smiles to the children, parents, and teachers alike.

Here, we’ve gathered ideas to brighten your graduation party, such as magic shows, quizzes, dances, and two-person kimono skits.

We introduce a variety of genres so you can choose based on how easy they are to prepare and the atmosphere of your venue.

Use this as a reference to create a memorable graduation day.

[Graduation Party] A Collection of Performance Ideas That Liven Up Thank-You and Farewell Gatherings (41–50)

Farewell Party Theater: “Thank You for the Memories”

[Childcare] Farewell Party Theater: “Thank You for the Memories” [Featured in PriPri February 2019 Issue]
Farewell Party Theater: “Thank You for the Memories”

We’d like to introduce the farewell party theater “Omoide Arigatou,” which celebrates children’s growth by looking back on kindergarten and nursery school events, while also expressing gratitude to parents and guardians.

Through this theater, children can reflect on their many experiences at the school, giving them fresh courage as they move on to a new environment.

Having their beloved teachers perform will also help children feel thankful toward them.

For children, each experience at the school is a precious memory.

Shall we share those memories together?

[Graduation Party] A Collection of Performance Ideas to Liven Up Thank-You and Farewell Parties (51–60)

Hand Performance “Hanakappa Paradise”

Why not try a hand performance—a fascinating act with curious visuals and movements? You prepare a black background and perform a dance using only hands wearing white gloves.

When multiple people synchronize their moves, even just the hands can create an impressive, powerful display.

The unique look of lined-up hands and the fun effect of hands appearing and disappearing are also big highlights.

Try performing to songs familiar to children, such as “Hanakappa Paradise,” the ending theme of the anime Hanakappa.

funny video

Beppu Ōhirayama Youth Baseball Team Farewell Party 2023.2.18 Performance ④
funny video

Creating a video gift that looks back on memories and conveys your gratitude is a classic choice for a performance, isn’t it? While it’s wonderful to aim for straightforward emotion, adding solid laugh-out-loud moments can help bring back memories of the fun times you shared.

The key is how to create those funny beats, but it seems easiest to build them around relatable, “we’ve all been there” experiences that the people present can empathize with.

Incorporating everyday questions or curiosities and using the occasion to resolve them could also make things more exciting.

bucket drum

bucket drum high school student
bucket drum

For a performance to liven up the thank-you party after the graduation ceremony, I recommend bucket drumming.

Turn prepared buckets upside down and hit them with drumsticks.

It’s fun for everyone to keep the same rhythm, but dividing into parts and playing different patterns adds depth.

It would also be enjoyable to perform popular songs along with the kindergarten or nursery teachers’ piano accompaniment.

How about playing music that will get the children, parents, and teachers excited?

Finger action

#59 [Easy Performance] Finger Action 'A Whole New World' 🌠
Finger action

A performance I recommend for parents to present to the teachers who have cared for their children is a finger action routine.

Finger action is a performance that uses only the hands—wearing colorful gloves—to express the music in time with a song.

Because the preparations aren’t very elaborate, it’s easy to incorporate.

It would also be wonderful to choose background music that evokes graduation.

A coordinated performance by multiple people is sure to move the teachers! If you’re unsure what to do for your act, please use this as a reference.

band performance

If you’re a parent who’s good at playing an instrument or singing, how about performing as a band at the thank-you party? Preparing equipment and such might be a bit of work, but it’s sure to become an unforgettable event! For the setlist, it’s best to choose songs that evoke graduation.

Selecting tunes that teachers and parents are familiar with will make it easier to create a moving atmosphere.

It’s also a rare chance for the children to see a live band up close, so it will be a valuable experience for them!

Penlight Dance “Idol”

[Wotagei] Idol / YOASOBI [Oshi no Ko]
Penlight Dance “Idol”

YOASOBI are an indispensable presence in the Reiwa-era J-pop scene, enjoying strong popularity across generations.

How about performing a penlight dance to their 2023 release Idol, which served as the theme song for the anime Oshi no Ko? A penlight dance is a type of choreography performed by fans at idol and anisong concerts.

It’s characterized by holding glowing penlights in both hands and rotating or swinging your arms in large motions.

If you dim the venue when performing, the trails of the penlights will stand out and look beautifully striking.