As the end of the school year approaches, many parents and teachers want to plan a memorable celebration for students before summer officially kicks off. Fortunately, Chicago is full of incredible spots for year-end festivities. In this article, we’ll discuss some of our favorite ideas for hosting a celebration both on and off campus that you and the kids will remember for years to come.
On-Campus End-of-Year Celebration Ideas
Looking to stay on campus for your end-of-year celebration? Here are a few of our favorite ideas.
Themed Spirit Days
Spirit days are always a blast, and you can stretch the fun out over a full week by organizing themed days leading up to a final celebration. Some of our favorite ideas include Pajama Day, Twin Day, Decade Day, and Dress Like a Teacher Day.
Classroom Awards Ceremony
Host an awards show to recognize students for their hard work. You can get creative with awards like “Most Likely to Brighten Your Day,” “Future TikTok Star,” or “Most Improved Mathematician.”
Field Day
One of our favorite end-of-school celebrations is a good old-fashioned field day. Set up relay races, water balloon tosses, tug-of-war, and other outdoor games. This is a classic idea that works for nearly every age group.
Time Capsule Activity
Ask students to write letters to their future selves that include drawings, mementos, and goals. Seal everything in a time capsule to be opened at a later date, like at their graduation or the next school year.
Slideshow
Gather photos and videos from the year and put together a montage. Play it during your classroom party or at a school-wide assembly.
Off-Campus End-of-School-Year Celebration Ideas in Chicago
If you want to make things extra memorable, consider these end-of-school-year celebration ideas that take students off school grounds.
Park Picnic and Games
Sometimes, simple is best. A day at a local park with packed lunches, lawn games, and time to play can be a lot of fun after months in a classroom.
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is packed with hands-on exhibits, including the real U-505 German submarine and a working replica of a coal mine. The museum is one of our favorite end-of-school-year celebration ideas in Chicago, especially for kids interested in how things work. If you go, be sure to check out the Storm Science exhibit, where you can stand inside a simulated tornado to see how it would feel from the inside.
Shedd Aquarium
At Shedd Aquarium, students can explore over 32,000 animals from rivers, oceans, lakes, and reefs around the world. Stingrays, penguins, sea otters, and beluga whales are some of the creatures you’ll see, and Shedd offers guided tours and behind-the-scenes experiences that are perfect for groups.
Lincoln Park Zoo & Conservatory
Lincoln Park Zoo is free to the public and a wonderful place to visit. It’s smaller than Brookfield Zoo but packed with plenty to see, and because it’s located right near the lakefront, you can easily pair it with a picnic or beach walk.
The Field Museum
We love The Field Museum for how it brings history, anthropology, and natural science to life. Inside, you’ll find ancient Egyptian mummies, gemstones, meteorites, and cultural artifacts from around the globe.
Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
For younger students aged pre-K to 5th grade, the Chicago Children’s Museum is a great spot for an end-of-year celebration. Everything is hands-on, and the best part is that when you visit, you’ll be right on Navy Pier, so after the museum, you can grab a snack, hop on the Centennial Wheel, or just enjoy the lakeside.
Garfield Park Conservatory
This park is located on the West Side and is one of the largest and most beautiful botanical conservatories in the country. The space itself is stunning with giant ferns, cactus rooms, and tropical flowers, and is a great spot for a more low-key end-of-year celebration.
Wintrust Sports Complex
Looking for an end-of-school-year celebration idea that emphasizes play? Wintrust Sports in Bedford Park includes multiple basketball courts, volleyball courts, and spaces for other sports, giving kids a chance to get out of the classroom and run around. We also have a 4,000-square-foot arcade and a 2,000-square-foot laser tag arena with two levels of challenging obstacles, making it the perfect place for an end-of-semester celebration. When you’re ready to take a break, Station Grille is the perfect spot to get food and drinks. The restaurant is located on the second floor of our facility and has lots of kid-friendly options.
Tips for Planning an End-of-the-Year Celebration
Here, we cover a few tips for making the most of your end-of-school-year celebration.
Incorporate Reflection
Amid all the fun, carve out some space for reflection. It doesn’t have to be heavy—just a few minutes for students to share what they’ve learned or who they’ve appreciated.
Food and Music
For food, think of easy-to-serve items that take allergies into account. Pizza, popsicles, popcorn, and simple snacks are popular options. For music, build a playlist of school-friendly tunes or let students help create one in advance.
Keep It Inclusive
Not every student celebrates the end of the school year the same way. Some are excited, but others are anxious about summer break. Make sure your celebration includes everyone, whether that means offering quiet activities alongside the party or making accommodations for different needs and backgrounds.
Learn More About End-of-School Celebration Ideas at Wintrust Sports Complex
Chicago has so many opportunities for memorable end-of-year celebrations, but if you’re looking for a venue that mixes fun and adventure, look no further than Wintrust Sports Complex. We have a wide range of activities and dining options designed just for students, and we’re here to make this celebration your best yet.
