Halloween Party Ideas

WOW!  How do I ever begin to explain all that has been going on in my life for the past 3 months?!?  I was hoping to return to my blog much sooner than now, with ideas for back-to-school, fall, math and also get a jump on Halloween ideas.  Unfortunately, none of that happened before now.  Hopefully by now, if you are a room parent, you have already begun thinking of what games, crafts, snacks, activities or ideas you have in mind for your 1st classroom party of the school year...HALLOWEEN!  If you haven't yet thought of it, and you find yourself waking up in a cold sweat at night, here are a few tips and tricks to get you started.

1.  PLAN IT
Over the years, I have found the best system for younger aged kids to plan to run the party as centers or stations.  Break the students into small groups and have them rotate from one center to the next.  The smaller sized groups makes it easier for parent volunteers to manage and it helps the students by changing up the activities.  The best ideas for centers include age appropriate games, snacks, or crafts.  After rotating through the centers, it's best to end the party with a whole group game or activity or a fun book relating to the holiday.

2.  GET HELP!
Don't try to do everything yourself!  You will end up either stressed, broke, or at home at the end of the party crying into your diet Coke.  Ask for help!!!  Parents, grandparents, or close friends are all great resources.  Ask for help in a variety of ways...either by attending the party to assist or by donating goods to the party, especially for any working parents who can't attend.  Check with the teacher ahead of time to see if the school/classroom has any supplies you might need for the party.  Most likely, the teacher may be willing to donate glue, construction paper or other craft items.  Keep in mind, that you not only need to plan for craft and game supplies and snacks, but also for paper ware or any simple decorations.

3.  HAVE FUN!
 Even though you can guarantee things WILL get chaotic and loud during the party, enjoy it!  The kids should have a fun time no matter what they are doing...even if things don't go according to plan, which sometimes happens!  One thing to think of is taking pictures.  I know that I take pictures of my class during the holiday parties so that I can add them to my end of the year DVD.  If that's something a teacher doesn't do, you may want to assign a parent to be in charge of this assignment.

Classroom Party Guide from Volunteer Spot

And finally...here are a few Halloween ideas to get things rolling...

CRAFTS:

 

Halloween Mason Jar Lantern - I would think this fun craft idea would be ideal for 3rd graders or older.

 

Scary/cute spider hat from Little Buggie Tutu

 

GAMES:

 

7 Halloween party games and activity ideas from Volunteer Spot.

 

Copy and laminate this monster chart from Expressive Monkey to have students draw their own monster masterpieces.

 

Don't Eat Frank game board from My Sister's Suitcase.

 

SNACKS:

 

Skeletons made with brownies, white chocolate covered pretzels and marshmallows (drawn on with edible marker) from Wants and Wishes.

Crispy Frankenstein Treats from Grumpy's Honeybunch.

 

Candy Corn Halloween Bark from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

 

Witches hat made from frosted sugar cone, sprinkles, gummy worms and cookie or cupcake liner as suggested. 
(Source:  No Time for Flash Cards)

 

 

Valentine Party Ideas

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, if you are currently a room parent or in charge of a party, you may be going into panic mode.  Hopefully a few of the following ideas will ease some stress.
How about a new rendition of pin the tail on the donkey?  Try "pin the lips on the teacher"!!  The Teacher's Wife has a FREE lips pattern you could even use.  Just print it out and have the students color and write their names on the lips!

Mom On Time Out shows you exactly how to create Hershey Kiss Roses.  I think these would be fun for kids to make and take home to their moms as a surprise.  You could even give a bouquet of these to your teacher, friends, etc.

Check out these super cute (Valentine) robots made from a juice box.

Source:  Gifts That Say Wow!

How about making some Love Bugs from The Decorated Cookie.

Speaking of Love Bugs...how about a Love Bug hat to go along with the {above} treat?

Source:  Glue Dots

Need a game?  Here is one from It Matters called Cupid's Arrow. 

Basically what you do is you set {heart shaped if you have them} bowls across the room and place some tape on the floor so the kids will know where to stand.    The kids then load their "arrows" (straws) with a Q-tip one at a time and blow them out, aiming for the bowl across the room.  The team or person with the most Q-tips in the bowl at the end of the time is the winner!

And finally, from Mrs. Schmelzer's First Grade, she has a fabulous post about some ideas that came from her Valentine's class party.  I'm talking a Minute to Win It game, Heart Lava, and another called Broken Heart.  If you still haven't found an idea that interests you from my above suggestions, you need to check out these party ideas.  I think not only does the name "heart lava" sound cute, but so does the game!

Polar Express Party

Christmas Idea # 21 - Polar Express Party

Can't you imagine a Polar Express party with eveyryone nice and comfy in their pajamas!  her This idea could work for either a classroom party or family party.  Obviously you could include the book (read by Santa would be neat) or watch the movie, but here are a few more suggestions:
Of course, you would have to provide hot chocolate at this party and what better way than in a crock pot!?!  Mrs. Happy Homemaker has just that!

 If this is an idea for school, how about using this invitation from Erica Bohrer's First Grade

or make this candy train treat:

She also has a Venn Diagram where your students can compare and contrast the book from the movie.  All this for FREE.  Love it!!

The Dowell Family posted about their Polar Express party at school.  Including frosting sugar cookies, a visit from Santa, musical chairs and a trip inside of a train (made by the teacher) to listen to the story and drink hot chocolate.  Incredible!
You could make a cake train (or gingerbread, cookie, whatever works for you) like Alpine Berry did.

Oopsey Daisy shows you how to make a more simple train using graham crackers and frosting

or even this little candy train that might work as a craft or party favor.

Mrs. Johnson's First Grade has a FREE build a train download on her blog.  Hop on over to grab it!

I like the train ornament that Bishop's Blackboard did for her students.

First Grade is Fantabulous did a recent post on what they did at her school and she has included some great links to other resources.

Christmas Treats To Make For A School Party

Last night I went to bed late and didn't have time to post anything, so I am combining post 18 & 19 today.  On top of everything else crazy that happens in December, our family is trying to finish our basement before Christmas.  Crazy? Yes, but it's going to be totally worth it!

Christmas Idea # 18 - Decorate Snowman Sugar Cookies like Betty Crocker!

 When I saw these snowman sugar cookies I thought of how fun they would be to make for a classroom Christmas party.  Items needed:  sugar cookies, frosting (white), red string licorice and an assortment of candy.  A few ideas might include life savers, mini M&Ms, candy corn (nose), runts, etc.

Christmas Idea # 19 -  Christmas Tree From An Icecream Cone

Source:  The Frugal Girls

This activity is one that I have used many times.  I have used this for a family Christmas party, classroom party and this year we used it in our class when we studied Germany for Christmas Around the World.  Take a sugar cone turned upside down and spread green frosting around.  Cover your tree with "ornaments" by using mini M&M's, string licorice, sprinkles and anything else you think might be fun!

Reindeer Ideas (part 1)

Christmas Idea #15 - Reindeer Ideas (part 1)

I posted about a game that could be used for holiday parties called Don't Eat Pete!  Well here's the same game called Don't Eat the Reindeer by Prepared Not Scared.

Count on Martha to turn gingerbread cookies upside down to create reindeer!

From The Idea Room, think of how fun it would be to make, eat and give away these cute reindeer cookies.  For a younger grade, I'm thinking these would be fun to make for your Christmas party!  Oh and chocolate and peanut butter...have I mentioned my obsession before?!?

Reindeer cupcakes from Hoosier Homemade:

OR these reindeer cupcakes from With Sprinkles On Top.

There's a few to get you started.  Don't want to overload you all in one day, so more to follow tomorrow...

More Christmas Games for Your Party!

Christmas Idea #13 - More Christmas Games For Your Party!

White Elephant Gift Exchange.  If you have ever been part of one you know just how much fun these can be!  We recently had a white elephant gift exchange at our work Christmas party.  The invitation said "G" rated, and yet somehow I ended up taking home one of the only gag gifts...a 50DDD bra!  You'd have to know, but that is so like me to end up with the gift like that!  Before sending out the invitations for you party, you may want to include if there is a price limit (ours was $5 or less) and decide if it matters if the items being gifted should be funny, re-gift items, useful items, etc.  (Just a suggestion!)  Also, choose how you want to gifts to be passed out....Christmas With the Right Family might be just what you need to get things moving!

A new game I haven't heard of before, but sounds like a complete blast is this paper plate game.

Have everyone get a {sturdy} paper plate and place it on their head. Using a marker or pen each person is to draw what they are instructed to without looking.  Remember *NO peeking!*  Once everything has been drawn, you can reveal your masterpiece to everyone around you.  I am sure this is sure to cause a few laughs!  Add up your points based on the rubric below to determine the winner.  You may want to give the winner some kind of prize too!

Here is what to draw:

1. Draw a line for a floor.
2. Draw a Christmas Tree.  Add decorations if you feel so inclined.
3. Draw a star on top of your tree.
4. Draw a fireplace with a mantel next to the tree.
5. Draw a stocking hanging from the mantel of your fireplace.
6. Draw a present below the tree.

Rubric for the Plate Game:

1. 2 points if the tree touches the floor.
2. 2 points if your stocking is touching your mantel.
3. 1 point if your star touches your tree.
4. 1 point if your star is above your tree.
5. 1 point for every Christmas ornament ball that is ON your tree, etc.
6. 1 point if your fireplace doesn’t touch the tree (it’s a fire hazard!).
7. 1 point if you actually drew something decorative on your stocking (or something cute, like a tiny kitten peeking out).
8. 2 points if your present is under your tree.

The paper plate game and Christmas with the Right Family are from Happy Home Fairy.  Thanks for sharing!

Salty and Sweet Christmas Treat

Christmas Idea #12 - Salty and Sweet Christmas Treat

Source:  House on Hilltop

Need something yummy and fast for a Christmas treat?  Maybe you need to take something to a party, work, or neighbors.  Whoever or whatever, there is A LOT of baking that goes on in December and here is one quick recipe to help you out. 

To make these, here's what you'll need:
Hersey Kisses
Pretzels (round kind)
{red & green} M&M's

Preheat your oven to 225 degrees. Spread the round pretzels on a cookie sheet so that they lie flat. Fill the center of each pretzel with a Hershey Kiss.  Now, place the cookie sheet into your oven. Allow the kisses to melt. Don’t leave the room. This really takes only 3 or 4 minutes. Maybe less, depending on your oven. Take them out as soon as the kisses are melted, but still hold their shape. If you leave them in too long, they will dry out and become hard.  Now, press one M&M into each kiss. Push them around a little so that chocolate touches all of the edges of the pretzels.  Allow the chocolate to set up and enjoy.

Classroom Christmas Party

Christmas Idea #4 - Classroom Christmas Party
The Organized Classroom Blog recently wrote a great article about hosting a winter/Christmas classroom party.  For tips, ideas and games, you must head over to her blog!  Here are a few highlights...

Snow Globe Game (printable game)
Pass the Hot Chocolate (no picture to show for this idea.)
Winter Snow Bingo (printable game)

Build A Snowman Relay Race

Want some more GREAT party ideas?  Check out Mrs. Bainbridge's Class to download a FREE Christmas party idea book (8 pages) full of games, treats, activities and more!  Such a great resource to print out and keep for the future!!

Minute To Win It - Christmas Party Games

Christmas Idea #3 - Minute To Win It Christmas games for a party.

You might be feeling a little stressed or overwhelmed if you are a room mom and are in charge of coming up with a holiday party for 20-30 children.  If you are looking for ideas for a work party or family Christmas party, I have you covered. 

For any age, why not try a few "Minute to Win It" type of games!?!  If you have never watched the hit NBC television show, allow me to catch you up on what you may have missed.  You will work in 2 teams (mainly because a little competition is so much more fun!) to complete tasks using items you probably already have around your house.  They may seem easy, but don't be fooled!  Besides you only have 1 MINUTE to complete the task!  YIKES!  Our family played a few of these games at our Christmas eve party last year and even the grandparents were getting in on the fun!  Here are a few ideas to use:

NOSE DIVE -

Items Needed:
Vaseline (Petroleum jelly)
Cotton Balls
Bowl

Directions:
Choose one player from each team to take a turn.  Have the player put a dab of Vaseline on the tip of their nose.  Without using any other body part (other than the nose), have the player move the cotton balls one at a time from one end of the table to a bowl at the other end of the table.  The player who can move the most cotton balls into the bowl within the minute will be awarded the point.

FACE THE GINGERBREAD MAN -

Items Needed:
cookies (in this case, gingerbread)

Directions:
Using only the face, players must move the cookie from their forehead to the mouth.  The team who can move the most cookies in 1 minute will receive a point.



SNOWBALL FIGHT -
Items Needed:
White paper for each player or team.

Place a dividing line in the middle of the room. Players or teams will need to wad up the white paper and have a snowball fight. The player or team who has the least number of “snowballs” on their side after one minute is the winner.


MARSHMALLOW TOSS -
Items Needed:
One wreath,
Large Bag of marshmallows
One bucket for each player.

Directions:
Have one person hold the wreath to their side and place the bucket behind the wreath. Players will have one minute to throw marshmallows through the wreath into the bucket. The player with the most marshmallows in the bucket after one minute is the winner!

MERRY FISHMAS -


Items Needed:

30cm plastic pole (think the thickness of say a straw) with a hook on the end.
15 cm candy cane which is hung from the bottom of the candy cane (ie; upside down) and securely attached to the end of the pole by fishing line.
4 small candy canes

Players must use Candy Canes as fishing hooks and hook four candy canes on top of each other. Think Barrel of Monkeys.


THE NUT STACKER-

Items Needed:
Candy cane
7 larger sized nuts...as in nuts and bolts (Check the size to make sure a candy cane could fit through the hole)

Directions:
Hold the candy cane in one hand by the hook.  Using the straight end of the candy cane (ONLY), pick up the nuts and place them one on top of another as high as you can.  The goal is to reach 7 nuts high, although our family record was 5 before the tower of nuts fell over.

Other ideas might include:
*Who can eat a donut tied to a string using only their mouth in 1 minute?
*Who can blow the most bubbles (using bubble gum) in 1 minute?
*Who can wrap the most presents in 1 minute?
*Who can unwrap a present using only spoons in 1 minute?

To see a few of these games in action and for a few more ideas check out The Mason's Blog.

FREE Christmas Bingo!

 For all of you room moms out there, getting ready for your classroom Christmas parties, here is a link to The Teacher's Wife, where she is offering a FREE black and white or color Christmas Bingo only until December 1.  After that, you will need to purchase the set for $2.00 from her TpT store.  Print out and laminate a set to use as a center at your holiday party this year.  Mark off the spaces with Christmas candy as the pictures are called.  Any activity + candy = fun for kids!

Thanksgiving Ideas for the Kids' Table

Growing up, I must admit that Thanksgiving wasn't one of my favorite holidays.  Don't get me wrong...I love turkey, pie and a great home cooked meal, but it felt like there was nothing more than the eating.  Now as an adult, my own family usually gets together with my husband's side of the family, where my kids play with their cousins, the guys watch a football game or two and the girls sit in the living room looking through ads in the paper to see which stores we will visit in the middle of the night, all for the sake of a good deal...yeah I'm one of those crazy people!  Playing games and eating comes with the holiday too.  Well if your family has kids or kids coming to dinner, here are a few ideas you can use to keep them entertained at the "kids table".
Have the kids make these darling little turkeys using Rice Krispies.

While sitting at the table, waiting for the food, have the kids color some Thanksgiving pictures using this FREE package of assembled crayons.

and FREE coloring page, which could double as a placemat.

I am a sucker for Peanut Butter, so making these Nutter Butter turkeys would be a BIG hit at my house. 

Ingredients needed:
Nutter Butter Cookies
M&M's (minis)
White Cookie Frosting
Red, Yellow and Orange Jelly Beans
Candy Corn
(Full Sized) Reese's PB Cups
(Nabisco) Chocolate Wafer Cookies

How about these simple Pilgrim hat cookies from Woman's Day?  3 ingredients!  (Nabisco) Chocolate Wafer Cookies, 1 tube orange frosting with piping tip, and small Reese's PB cups.

I love this idea from Fiskars.  Fill a pie tin with some items to munch on so that when dinner isn't ready on time, the kids will have some food to snack on.  Fill the tin with items such as popcorn, M&M's, Bugles chips, nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, etc.  Make sure to cut a shape in the lid to resemble the top of a pie.

Also, from Fiskars, turn a paper cup upside down and decorate it like a Pilgrim's hat to hold the crayons.  If the table is covered with some white butcher paper, the kids can enjoy the wait time while coloring!

Lastly, I thought I should add some nutrition to the mix.  Maybe serving vegetables like this would make the kids want some?!?

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends!  Check back next week as I start the Christmas ideas coming...

Gratitude Rolls

THIS may just be one of the coolest Thanksgiving traditions I have seen...GRATITUDE ROLLS.

As guests arrive, give them each a small slip of paper and have them write one thing they are grateful for.  Place each slip of paper on a wedge of crescent roll dough and wrap up the paper inside.  Follow the directions for the rolls and bake as usual.  At dinner, as each guest takes a roll, they read what the slips of paper say.  As suggested by Balancing Beauty & Bedlam, a fun twist to this activity is to then guess who wrote what.  What a fun way to bring the family closer and keep in mind all our blessings!

Thanksgiving Acorns

Since Thanksgiving is always such a crazy day in the kitchen, why not start the day off with a simple breakfast for the kids...like these cute acorn donuts.  Okay I know what you're thinking...more calories on Thanksgiving, but aren't they darling!?! 

Source:  Gracious Rain

These would also be a fun activity for the kids to make while waiting for dinner or during a class party/feast!

Witches Stew Game

Halloween Idea #13 - Witches Stew Game:

Family Fun offers this fun Halloween game that you can use at a class party.  Only 3 items are needed to get going...straws, construction paper and a bowl.

The instructions from Family Fun are as follows:

1.Before the party, ask your kids to help you cut ten Halloween shapes, such as ghosts, bats and pumpkins from construction paper. Each shape should be about the size of a silver dollar. Place the shapes in a pile beside a small bowl.

2.Using the straw as a vacuum, each contestant tries to pick up a shape and place it in the bowl to create the Witch's Stew. Time the players to see who can get all ten in the bowl the fastest.