party
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Candy-free valentines
I’m not sure when it became the norm to give valentines with little gifts attached – when I was little the box of cards from the dollar store was more than enough, but I’m guessing this new trend is here to stay. So I’m here to help you with some last minute valentines that are perfectly appropriate for preschoolers and sugar-free! All of these fun ideas can be found on Oriental Trading, because while kids love candy, they also cannot seem to resist things from Oriental Trading (and the price tag makes that something that I can handle)! If you see one that you love, you can download it here!…
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Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats
Cupcakes and cookies are wonderful things ( I love them more than I should) but nine times out of ten, young children will choose healthier snacks if given the option. Doesn’t this bow of raspberries look so tempting?! This would be an incredibly easy Valentine’s day treat, and I guarantee that by the end of a preschool party, there might still be cupcakes on the tray, but all of these raspberries would be gone. Children have surprising appetites, and many of them choose healthier options more willingly than adults do! Here are some other healthy treat ideas that children, parents and teachers will thank you for bringing to the party:…
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New Year’s Activities for Preschoolers
I always love to share New year’s activities, for a couple of reasons. First, the Christmas let-down is a real thing, kiddos are bummed about the fact that they’ve looked forward to that big day and now it’s over. Planning special activities for New Year’s Eve or New Year’s day is a great way to help them look forward to something else, and realize that just because Christmas is over the fun doesn’t have to end. Second, the idea of a new year is a really abstract concept, celebrating the begining of the new year can help children attach a very real memory to what could otherwise be a vague…
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Friday Freebie – Holiday Cookie Party
Happy Black Friday! That’s right, Thanksgiving is officially over, so bring on the Christmas craziness! I wanted to share one of my favorite freebie from last year with you, so that you can use it to start planning your holiday celebrations. Last year I hosted a cookie party for my students, I made these signs to go with the activity stations. Download a set of the signs for yourself, and then take a minute to check out these posts all about the party; Cookie Party InspirationFoam Cookies for Dramatic PlayHoliday Cookie Party Recap
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Preschool Halloween Party Activities
The most difficult piece of any holiday party is planning activities that will keep the kiddos busy, but still be easy enough that they can do them independently – because you barely have time to breathe during a party, let alone facilitate games and crafts. I’ve put together a list of 10 activities that would be perfect for any preschool Halloween party. Mini pumpkin relays – challenge the children to place a mini pumpkin on their head and walk a short distance without it falling off. If they’re really good at it see if they can circle around a chair or plastic cone. Sensory bins – There are a million…
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Using Sign Up Genius for your Class party
In my Party Planning Tips post yesterday, I mentioned a site that is new to me (so probably old news at this point… ha!) it’s call Sign Up Genius. While I was checking out the site I came across their blog post that talks about how to use Sign Up Genius as you plan a class party, and it made me laugh out loud because it is spot on! You can read it here. The idea behind Sign Up Genius is that you log on, create your sign up sheet (it can be for anything – conference time slots, party treats, field trip chaperones, soccer game snacks, carpool, you name…
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Planning a classroom party
Whether you are planning a Halloween party or a Harvest Party, it’s time to start thinking about it! I know some people dread party days, but I love them. Parties are the perfect time to build classroom communities. They give the children a common event to look forward too and opportunities to bond over their anticipation, and throughout the actual party. Over the years I’ve come up with quite a few tips for making those crazy party days run just a little more smoothly. The planning makes all the difference, so consider your party details as I run through some of the questions you might want to ask yourself. What…
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How to host a great slumber party
Maybe you have spring break coming up and you’re looking for something to do with your kids at home, or maybe you just need a fun day at school to shake your class out of their winter blues. Either way, a daytime slumber party is a lot of fun and really easy to pull off without a ton of prep work. Use these suggestions as a guide for your slumber party. Stay in Your Pajamas all day! This is the best way to start the day, getting to keep your comfy pjs on really sets the mood for a fun, carefree day. Why not?! Set a few ground rules (only…
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Host a Preschool Cookie Party
On the last day of school before winter break my school is hosting a holiday cookie party. I’m still in the planning stages, but I thought I’d share my ideas because there’s still time to put together your own party. Whether it’s for school or family and friends, it’s sure to be an event that the children won’t soon forget! I used this clip art set from Erin Bradley Designs to put together super cute invitations. My friend Jamie over at Play to Learn Preschool has an amazing Cookie Shop Dramatic Play Set that we’re going to use to set up an awesome pretend play area. I found a…
