Everyone loves Valentines Day. Students really look forward to their Valentine’s Day parties. Giving and receiving those little cards, fun games and yummy treats are all part of the day. Every year, I see/hear room parents talking about what they are planning for their party.
Some teachers have specific parameters set out.
For example, one of our kindergarten teacher’s guidelines are – Rice Crispy Treat, juice box, open Valentines and one craft.
Other teachers are more like, “Just make sure I still have a classroom left at the end of the party!” :).
Today, I thought I’d put some ideas out there to help you organize your Valentines Day class party.
First, make sure you and your child’s teacher are on the same page. As I stated previously, some teachers have specifics and, of course, you will need to honor their wishes. Also, you will need to find out what time and how long your party will be. I have had teachers that want their parties mid morning and others who want it to be the last hour of the day. Do any of their students have specific allergies? Ask your teacher about her rules regarding number of parents to help or rules bringing younger siblings to the party. As head room-mom, I ALWAYS made it a hard and fast rule that room parents, or any parent that was attending a school function in a helping capacity, were not allowed to bring younger siblings. They are there to help, and having one more there makes it harder for everyone involved. SO:) Those feelings being expressed:) Onto the fun part!
Planning! Planning a party can be a little overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Everyone wants to plan the perfect party but chances are, it will not go exactly to plan. AND THAT’S OK!!! So, with that out of the way, lets get started:)
Are you going to want to do games? Crafts? A combination? Taking into account your time limit, adding in opening cards and your snack. Remember, if you have one hour that’s one hour start to clean-up. Also, take into account your party budget. One more thing, don’t sweat it. It will all come together and it’s going to be a hit no matter what!
Crafts. I always love planning this part out. Here are a couple of my past favorites…
Hanging hearts. What you’ll need: Clothes hanger, yarn or ribbon (red or pink), glue, Lots of pre-cut hearts or construction paper to make hearts and a hole puncher. Basically, what you are doing is cutting out hearts and punch holes in the tops, tie the yarn/ribbon to the hanger – stagger the lengths for a nicer look. Then run your ribbon through the hole in the heart and tie off. Voila, cute little hanging hearts:) This is something you can suit to any age by making it a little more intricate by wrapping the clothes hanger with the ribbon or yarn and gluing it to stay. Sixth graders were able to use glue guns under the supervision of room parents, of course. Instead of tying the hearts on with yarn or ribbon, they used fishing string. Some made different sized hearts to stagger as well. Let them use their imagination but this one has always been a hit for me;) Just make sure they pick up and recycle any leftover paper and throw any trash from the table or around their desks in the trash.
Combining snack with your craft time is another option. You kind of kill two birds with one stone. What you’ll need: baked heart shaped cookies, frosting, cheap white paper plates and zip lock bags. Each child will get their own cookie. They may decorate it any way they want. Let their Valentine’s Day imagination run free:) If the student doesn’t wish to eat their treat at school, put it in a ziploc and let them take it home. The plates USUALLY contain most of the mess but have wipes at the ready. Once the children have decorated/eaten/saved their snack, give them each a wipe to clean their area.
If you are looking for a game, buy a couple bags of little conversation hearts and play Valentines Bingo! I have never met a kid who doesn’t like Bingo (or conversation hearts for that matter!). Have small prizes to give for each game you play:)
If you are running long on time and need some fillers, “Valentine’s Day Hangman” or “Valentines Pictionary” on the chalk/white board always goes over really well. Or, go to my page and print off the Valentine’s Day word search game and have it on hand, just in case:)
Whatever you go with just remember they are going to have a blast no matter what:) Even if it doesn’t go just as YOU plan, they will never know and be just as excited as they would be if it had all gone perfectly to plan:)
Speak Soon!
take care,
~kat:)
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