Unforgettable graduation certificates for preschool! A collection of fun, handmade ideas
The certificates presented at the graduation ceremony are etched deeply in children’s hearts as the culmination of their time at the preschool.
Why not gift each child a one-of-a-kind, handmade graduation certificate that lets their individuality shine?We’ll introduce ideas for certificates you’ll want to incorporate at your nursery or kindergarten—from versions with a heartfelt message from the principal, to ones where the children dye washi paper themselves, and even unique concepts that go beyond paper like mobiles or board games.
We hope you find a graduation certificate that becomes a lifelong treasure for both the children and their families!
Memorable Preschool Graduation Certificates! A Fun Collection of Handmade Ideas (1–10)
A pop-up card with a bouquet that sprouts up
When you lift the ribbon on the bouquet, a character pops out from among the flowers! The glamorous bouquet and delightful mechanism will further heighten the excitement of children celebrating their graduation from kindergarten.
Cut a vertical slit in the center of the bouquet’s base, then set a character with a tab attached to its back.
Thread the tab through the slit so it appears on the surface, and glue on the ribbon to complete the mechanism! For the flowers, it’s best to punch out identical shapes using a craft punch.
Choose the flower colors to match the character that appears, creating a unified look.
Original preschool graduation certificate holder
A preschool graduation certificate is proof of your hard work, so you’ll want to display it at home.
Let’s make an original certificate holder! Prepare a frame that fits the size of the certificate, and press clay firmly along the front border.
Before the clay dries, embed your favorite pieces like beads or buttons.
To keep the pieces from falling off when the clay dries, use glue to secure the decorations as well.
Some children may feel anxious about leaving a familiar place, but with this custom certificate holder, they might look forward to the graduation ceremony a little more.
A surprise letter where you can attach photos!
Having a photo on the graduation certificate makes it even more memorable, doesn’t it? But simply sticking on a photo would be a waste! Create interactive elements for an album or gift to add a special touch.
All you need are construction paper and origami paper.
Cut the construction paper into strips, accordion-fold it, and attach a cover using your favorite origami paper to complete the album.
For the gift, fold a strip of construction paper in half and glue it, then attach origami paper to one side.
Make three of these, combine them so they slide vertically, and you’ll create a three-tier gift box effect.
Flower-Filled Pop-Up Card
Use a craft punch to save time! Here’s an idea for a floral pop-up card.
Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and make vertical cuts from the folded edge.
Use each cut as the base and crease an inverted triangle to complete the pop-up mechanism.
Open the sheet with the mechanism and glue it onto a base, then cover the triangles with flowers made using a craft punch—and you’re done! If you’re incorporating it into a preschool graduation certificate, writing a graduation message on the triangular sections would be lovely.
A school pops out! Message card
Once the kindergarten graduation ceremony is over, they’ll be first graders from spring.
So how about incorporating school-themed motifs into the graduation certificate to envision a bright future? This idea uses a pop-up, making it perfect for a spread-style graduation certificate.
To ease any anxiety about the new school environment, adorn the area around the school with festive cherry blossoms, and finish it with a bright, gentle feel.
The pop-up mechanism is simple—just add a few folds to construction paper.
A pop-up card with a bouquet of cherry blossoms
We hope the cherry blossoms will be in bloom for the preschool graduation ceremony, but depending on the timing and the weather, they might not have opened yet or may have already fallen.
So how about a pop-up card featuring a bouquet of cherry blossoms that lets you give children the beauty of sakura no matter the conditions? It’s a three-dimensional piece made by turning paper-cut cherry blossoms into a bouquet.
I think this idea could be incorporated if you’re using a spread-style graduation certificate, so please feel free to use it as a reference.
Though it takes some effort, it will surely bring out the children’s wonderful, surprised smiles.
Packed with surprises! Congratulations card
When you open the card, various pop-up elements appear.
The first page features colorful balloons that can be used for group messages.
Open it further and you’ll find motifs of a pencil, an eraser, an album, a blackboard, a bouquet, and a graduation certificate.
For children about to graduate from kindergarten, it’s a piece that helps them imagine the elementary school they’ll soon attend.
Each section allows you to attach photos or write messages, so why not add one to accompany the graduation certificate? You can make everything with colored construction paper.