Surprises can really move your emotions—your heart races with the unusual, out-of-the-ordinary experience, and you feel warmth as someone’s feelings come through directly.
One of the charms of a surprise is that not only the person receiving it enjoys it, but the person planning it can have fun too, wondering, “How will they react?”
You might be thinking, “What should we do?” if you want to plan a surprise—something loved by both adults and children—for a nursery school or kindergarten event.
So this time, we’re introducing touching surprise ideas that will excite everyone at kindergartens and nursery schools.
Find the perfect idea to match the recipient and situation—whether it’s the children, parents, or teachers.
Let’s create impactful moments that stay in the heart!
- Graduation Ceremony: A Collection of Surprise Ideas That Will Move Both Adults and Children
- [Heartwarming] Surprise ideas that will liven up a kindergarten
- [Graduation Party] A Collection of Surprise Ideas That Will Touch the Hearts of Teachers and Children
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Ideas for Performances at Thank-You Parties! Fun for Both Parents and Children
- Handmade Messages for Teachers at Graduation: A Collection of Ideas to Express Your Gratitude
- [Graduation Commemorative Gifts] Handmade Presents That Kids Will Love! A Collection of Easy-to-Make Ideas
- Nursery/Kindergarten: A Collection of Performance Ideas for Thank-You Parties — Heartfelt Presentations That Touch Teachers
- [Kindergarten/Daycare] Games and Performances for Fun Events
- Stand out at the graduation party! A collection of ideas for unforgettable surprise videos
- A gift to give your teacher at graduation that conveys your gratitude
- [Thank-You Party] Surprise Ideas That Will Delight in Nursery and Kindergarten!
- Ideas for handmade gifts for teachers to give at the preschool graduation ceremony
- Ideas for surprise send-offs that will delight at farewell parties and make the goodbye gathering moving
Emotional surprise ideas that will excite kids at daycare and kindergarten (1–10)
Sketchbook Relay
A sketchbook relay is a type of video where people hold up a sketchbook with heartfelt messages or illustrations to express their feelings.
The key is to make it look like the sketchbook is being passed along in various ways.
For example, slide it across the screen from one side to the other as if handing it over, or lift it straight up so the next person appears to receive it from below.
Adding these movements makes the video vivid and engaging.
Sparkling Surprise Box
For teachers and children alike, a “surprise box” is a surefire way to get everyone excited.
In English it’s called a jack-in-the-box, and the classic version features a doll springing out of the box.
A “sparkly surprise box” that uses glittery paper combines two kinds of delight: the surprise of something popping out and the beauty of the sparkle! It’s great to make them together during craft time.
For birthday parties and the like, a surprise box that pops out candy or ramune tablets would be a hit, too.
It might even be fun to have a teacher dressed as a clown jump out of a big box!
A Song Gift for the Teachers
Of course, receiving a present is delightful because you get something, but what truly makes me happy is the thought behind it.
A surprise gift of a song for the teachers and custodial staff who’ve looked after you will surely make them happy! It doesn’t have to be a solemn song or one specifically about farewell—when children sing their hearts out, that alone is enough to bring joy.
If you’re unsure what to choose, I recommend two songs: Kaori Ui’s “Sensei Arigatou ~For the Thank-You Party~” and Peekaboo & Naoko Yoshida’s “Arigatou, Sayonara.”
crown / tiara
The crowns and tiaras shining above the kings and princesses in foreign stories are something we admire, even as adults.
Let’s try making a paper crown for a school play or a birthday party.
You’ll need gold or silver paper, cardstock, and imitation gemstones.
First, cut the cardstock into triangles slightly larger than a rice ball (triangular onigiri).
Glue the gold or silver paper onto them.
Then tape the finished triangles together into a ring that fits the size of the head.
Decorate with imitation gemstones, and you’re done.
It would be fun for everyone to try during craft time!
Handmade flower clock
You can make a beautiful floral clock using items from a 100-yen shop.
Once you have a small box, simply keep placing a clock and artificial flowers into it.
There’s no need for glue or anything else—it’s very easy—so please consider it as a gift for teachers who helped with events like graduation ceremonies.
It would also be lovely to include a message card inside.
Paper cup cracker
When you think of parties and farewell/welcome gatherings, party poppers are a must, right? That sharp, festive pop really amps up the mood! But you might worry whether kids can set them off without being scared… Don’t worry! There’s a party popper you can make from a paper cup that uses no gunpowder.
You cut slits in a paper cup, thread a rubber band through, and use the band’s elasticity—voilà, a paper cup popper.
With four or five adults helping, you could probably make 40 to 50 of them in an hour.
It’s also fun to let the kids decorate the paper cups however they like.
It’s a popper you’ll definitely want to use at a friend’s birthday party.
flash mob
Videos of flash mobs filmed at weddings and proposals never fail to move me, no matter which one I watch.
Everyone comes together to create and accomplish something as one, and above all, the smiles of the people participating in the flash mob are dazzling.
How about organizing a flash mob by gathering parents to show appreciation to the teachers who have helped us? It would surely make a wonderful memory.
Dancers, guitar players, people in costumes—having a variety of participants will make it even more exciting.
Bring your own strengths and contribute together.