Classroom Parties 101
The tips and suggestions below are based on a survey of 2023-2024 room and party parents

Room Parties

Run of Show:

Most suggested timeline: snack, table activity, then game/physical activity

Runner up: table activity, snack, then game/physical activity

Run of Show Tip: Whatever is first on the agenda, lay it out before kiddos come into the room, if possible.

Snacks and Drinks:

Snacks That Work Well

• Individual bags of chips/Pirates Booty/Goldfish/veggie straws/pretzels

• Trail Mix

• Oranges/Bananas/Fruit Kabobs (activity bonus: have the kiddos make them)

• Fruit Snacks

• Cookies (activity bonus: have kiddos decorate cookies)

• Rice Krispy treats/mini-cupcakes

Drinks That Work Well

• Juice Boxes

• Capri Sun

• Apple Cider (Fall Party)

• Hot (Warm) Chocolate 

• Sparkling Water

Snack Tips:

• Check with teachers about special diets and allergies in the classroom. Nurse Jamie should also know about allergies in each classroom, so when in doubt about snack ingredients, send her an email noting the class and the specific snack. (krause.jamie@wgmail.org)

• Cold drinks if possible 

• Have a juice alternative 

• Background music during snack is nice

Activities:

Activities That Work Well

• Scavenger Hunt

• Scratch art craft 

• Make Fruit Kabobs 

• Pin the Tail

• Bingo

• Cookie decorating 

• Relays (like plastic egg in spoon)

• Planting in small pots

• Jelly bean balance

  • Each kiddo puts end of a popsicle stick in mouth,

  • First kiddo to balance 5jelly beans on popsicle stick at same time wins

• Make candy necklaces

• Treat/prize walk

  • While music plays, students walk in a circle on the numbered mats/cardstock. 

  • When the music stops, a number will be drawn from a hat and the person standing on that number wins a small prize.

• Mad libs

  • In advance: id a different mad lib story to each group. Create a worksheet of types of words needed for each story (ie 1. Noun, 2. verb). 

  • In class: divide kids into small groups and assign a mad lib story to each 

  • have each group add words to the respective worksheet. 

  • Party parents then fill words into stories and give them back to the groups. 

  • Have the groups share their story with the class. 

  • Mad lib suggestions: https://www.madlibs.com/printables/

• TP Wrap Game (mummy wrap)

• Ring toss

• Cotton ball ghost/mummy

• Minute to win it games

• Acorn Toss

  • Make two teams, one cup to each team, give acorns to other team members,

  • Kiddos with acorns throws them and kiddo with a cup tries to catch them. 

  • First team to capture all the acorns wins.

  • Add on challenges: toss over shoulder or blindfolded

Activity Tips:

• Some physical activity is a good idea

• Have completed example of craft or demonstrate activity first

• Put plastic tablecloths on table before all  table activities for easy cleanup

• Have activity stations, spend 8-10 minutes at each station

• If class is doing an activity at the same time, have them work in small groups

• Have small prizes for winners of games (stickers, fun size candy)

• Move from cleanest activity to messiest activity. 

• Have teacher play video for kiddos while parents clean up

Overall Tips and Ideas:

• Have all parents signed-up to work party coordinate on all aspects of party rather than segmented sign-ups 

• Parents signed up for craft/activity should attend party to execute or meet with in-room parents in advance to explain craft/activity

• Have parties outside if the weather is nice (confirm this is do-able first!)

• Good advanced communication amongst parents planning the party and with the teacher

• THE KIDS LOVE ALL OF IT SO DON'T STRESS TOO MUCH : )