Unforgettable graduation certificates for preschool! A collection of fun, handmade ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.

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 (41–50)

With character illustration

Many children have favorite anime and manga, right? So here’s a suggestion: include character illustrations.

This idea involves drawing characters from each child’s favorite series on their graduation certificates.

They’ll feel as if their beloved characters are celebrating their graduation, which will surely boost their excitement.

It’s also nice to add touches like having the character hold a bouquet.

First, research each child’s favorite character and look for reference images that might be helpful.

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scratch art

Why not try making a kindergarten graduation certificate using rainbow scratch paper sheets? Rainbow scratch paper is a type of paper that reveals seven colors where you scratch it.

It’s also called “scratch rainbow paper.” You can buy it at 100-yen shops and similar stores.

Try scratching out the words and text for “Graduation Certificate,” along with illustrations.

The vivid look is sure to boost the excitement of the children who receive it.

You can also add creative touches, not just by scratching but by attaching parts made from construction paper, too.

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Caricature Graduation Certificate

If you want to make each graduation certificate unique, adding a caricature is a great option.

For example, you could design the right side of the paper like a standard graduation certificate and place a large caricature on the left half.

You can consider various styles, such as more realistic caricatures or cute, chibi-style ones.

Refer to caricatures available online for inspiration and give it a try.

By the way, drawing down to about the chest area tends to fit the layout nicely.

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Diploma with photo

The graduation certificate will likely be kept as a treasured memento even after leaving kindergarten.

In that case, why not make the design one that brings memories flooding back every time you look at it? Our suggestion is to include a photo.

Imagine a booklet that folds in two: when you open it, the traditional certificate appears on the right, and a photo is affixed on the left.

Start by choosing that one special photo that captures the memories.

It could be a picture with friends or one taken during a seasonal event.

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Certificate made with animal illustrations

Graduation certificates decorated with illustrations of animals that are popular with children are adorable and convey a warm feeling of celebrating their growth.

Decide which kinds of animals you want to draw, as well as the size and poses, and proceed from there.

By maintaining a cohesive overall look while asking the children about their favorite animals and incorporating those ideas, you can create a special graduation certificate that may make them very happy.

Try making an original, one-of-a-kind graduation certificate.

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Graduation certificate cake (for kindergarten)

The graduation certificate cake looks cute and festive, perfect for a special celebration.

The size of the cake will likely vary depending on the number of people.

By considering the flavor and size of the cake, as well as the message to write on it, you can create a truly original, love-filled cake.

Incorporating the daycare’s theme colors or colors popular with the children will make it even more vibrant.

Be sure to check for any allergies in advance, and try making a graduation certificate cake that will bring smiles to the children’s faces.

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mayumi

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Made with washi paper

Washi paper has long been cherished in Japan.

If you use it to make graduation certificates, I think it will give them a solemn impression.

The tactile feel is also very different from Western paper, which could be another moving point.

Simply using washi is fine, but this could also be an opportunity to teach the children about the process of how washi is made, which might make receiving the certificates even more special.

By the way, when making them by hand, it seems that people often write the text with a brush.

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