45 Kindergarten and Preschool Graduation Songs Kids Can Sing

What is a good song for kindergarten graduation?

The songs teachers choose most are "You've Got a Friend in Me", "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars and "Happy" by Pharrell for the children to sing, with "Pomp and Circumstance" or "Best Day of My Life" for the walk-in. For the slideshow, parents love "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift and "Forever Young". The best songs for this age have a short, repeating chorus and room for hand motions.

Walk-in and processional songs

1. "Pomp and Circumstance", Elgar: the traditional graduation march.
2. "Best Day of My Life", American Authors: bright and bouncy.
3. "Happy", Pharrell Williams: everyone claps along.
4. "Celebration", Kool & the Gang: for a party-style entrance.
5. "A Million Dreams", from The Greatest Showman: big dreams for little people.
6. "Graduation (Friends Forever)", Vitamin C: a nod to the grown-ups in the room.

Songs kindergartners can sing

7. "You've Got a Friend in Me", Randy Newman: the classroom favorite.
8. "Count on Me", Bruno Mars: simple words, easy actions.
9. "Everything Grows", Raffi: about growing up a little every day.
10. "The More We Get Together": a traditional song about friendship.
11. "From My Heart to Your Heart", Jack Hartmann: a sweet song with sign-language motions.
12. "I'm Growing Up", The Amidons: a gentle song for moving up.
13. "Everybody Has Music Inside", Greg & Steve: a joyful classroom song.
14. "Kindergarten Graduation", Imagination Movers: written for the day.
15. "The Graduation Song", The Kiboomers: made for preschool and pre-K.
16. "Let's Graduate!", The Kiboomers: short and cheerful.
17. "On My Way (Graduation Song)", Pevan & Sarah: about the next big step.
18. "Try Everything", Shakira: from Zootopia, about trying again.
19. "How Far I'll Go", from Moana: for the little explorers.
20. "Go the Distance", from Hercules: big dreams ahead.

Fun dance songs for the party

21. "Can't Stop the Feeling!", Justin Timberlake: clean, bright and made for dancing.
22. "Shake It Off", Taylor Swift: wiggles welcome.
23. "Firework", Katy Perry: for the sparkle moment.
24. "Roar", Katy Perry: kids love the animal sounds.
25. "Hakuna Matata", from The Lion King: a sing-along for all.
26. "We Don't Talk About Bruno", from Encanto: they will know every word.
27. "Cha Cha Slide", DJ Casper: the instructions are in the song.
28. "Baby Shark", Pinkfong: for the preschool crowd.
29. "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)", Silentó: a dance-floor favorite.

Slideshow songs for parents

30. "Never Grow Up", Taylor Swift: the one that makes moms cry.
31. "Slipping Through My Fingers", ABBA: a mother watching her child head off to school.
32. "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)", John Lennon: gentle and tender.
33. "Isn't She Lovely", Stevie Wonder: joyful.
34. "Turn Around", Harry Belafonte: one minute small, the next grown.
35. "Forever Young", Rod Stewart: a blessing for the years ahead.
36. "My Wish", Rascal Flatts: a parent's hopes for the road ahead.
37. "I Hope You Dance", Lee Ann Womack: for all the firsts to come.
38. "What a Wonderful World", Louis Armstrong: gentle and warm.
39. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: dreamy and hopeful.
40. "Unwritten", Natasha Bedingfield: the story is just starting.

Gentle songs for preschool and pre-K

41. "Rainbow Connection", Kermit the Frog: dreamy and sweet.
42. "You'll Be in My Heart", Phil Collins: a promise from the grown-ups.
43. "When You Wish Upon a Star", from Pinocchio: a classic wish.
44. "Lean on Me", Bill Withers: about helping each other.
45. "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", from Cinderella: soft and simple.

How to choose kindergarten graduation songs

• Short and repetitive: a chorus they can sing even when they forget the verses.
• Actions help: hand motions or sign language keep nervous kids focused.
• Clean versions only: double-check every pop song.
• Two or three songs for the children to perform is plenty for this age.
• Start practicing early: four to six weeks before the ceremony.

A simple kindergarten graduation program

• Walk-in: "Pomp and Circumstance" or "Best Day of My Life".
• Welcome from the teacher.
• Children's songs: two or three from the list above.
• Diplomas, one child at a time, with a short fun fact about each.
• Slideshow: two songs, about six minutes.
• Walk-out: "Happy" or "Can't Stop the Feeling!".

The whole program fits in 45 minutes, which is about as long as five-year-olds can sit still.

Graduation songs with actions

Songs with motions keep little hands busy and nerves away. "From My Heart to Your Heart" has simple sign language, "Count on Me" works with pointing and hugging motions, "Roar" with paws and growls, and "The More We Get Together" with linked arms. Practice the actions first, then add the words.

Moving-up ceremony songs

Many schools call it a "moving up" rather than a graduation, especially from pre-K to kindergarten. The same songs work, and "I'm Growing Up", "On My Way" and "Everything Grows" fit the moving-up idea perfectly.

End-of-year songs from the teacher

Teachers often close the year with a song for their class: "You've Got a Friend in Me", "Lean on Me" or "I Hope You Dance" over a slideshow of the year. A short note to each family with the song title makes it a keepsake.

Preschool vs kindergarten graduation songs

For preschool and pre-K, keep songs even shorter and slower: "The More We Get Together", "Rainbow Connection", "Baby Shark" and "You've Got a Friend in Me". By kindergarten, children can handle a pop chorus like "Count on Me" or "Try Everything", and many love having a solo line.

A graduation song with your child's name

For a family gift, a personalized song can name your child, their teacher, their best friend and the things they learned this year. Played at the party or over the slideshow, it becomes a keepsake for the day they graduate high school too. See our lists of graduation songs and songs about growing up, and our guide to the best thank-you gift for a teacher.

How to create a graduation song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, acoustic, kids-friendly and more.
2. Add your child's name, or up to three names.
3. Share three moments from the school year, each with one concrete detail.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Celebrate their first graduation with a song of their own: create a graduation song and hear four previews for free.