Pittsburgh Nesties
egpitt22
member
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
so I volunteered to help out with the holiday party at Jake's school...
Jake's school had a sign up sheet where you could volunteer to help out with holiday parties....I put my name down for the December party and figured that I would just be showing up that day, maybe bringing a snack or something along with me, and mostly helping with the party that would have already been in place (crowd control, helping with crafts, etc) I get a sheet yesterday that I was selected (via a drawing) to be the chairperson for the december party, with 2 additional committee members to help me plan the whole thing!!
I'm not mad or anything, I love planning parities, but I just thought it was funny that I thought I was just signing up to basically show up....no clue that actual event planning would be involved!!
So...for any other moms out there who have planned any school holiday parties, I'm all ears for tips and ideas of what you did during the party!!
I'm not mad or anything, I love planning parities, but I just thought it was funny that I thought I was just signing up to basically show up....no clue that actual event planning would be involved!!
So...for any other moms out there who have planned any school holiday parties, I'm all ears for tips and ideas of what you did during the party!!
Re: so I volunteered to help out with the holiday party at Jake's school...
I would start a Pinterest board and start hoarding ideas. Do you have any parameters to work with, or know what they've done in years past? I would probably start with a craft, a game, and a snack and then go from there.
I am still holding onto some hope that perhaps I'm misreading the information that was sent home and that it will be more like what you're describing above (organization done for us and we just run it) but it really didn't sound like that to me. I like the book idea, that's cute, and there would definitely be a lot of books to choose from for a holiday theme.
Jake - 1.15.08
Liam - 5.17.11
LOVE the book idea!
Also, are you friends with Shelly on FB? Send her a message - she was one of Nate's homeroom Moms in Kindie last year. She might be able to suggest something too.
Good luck and, as Meghan said, Godspeed.
My three sons!
I'd try to think if an easy quick winter craft, a holiday story to read & do a snack to tie into them both
OK do not go crazy with it - they are kindergarten kids and all they want to do is eat a sugary snack, play a few games and have fun! Pinterest not necessary (sorry Meghan!). Usually we have an hour maybe hour+half which is just enough time to play a few games, do a craft, eat the snack, read a book or play a game at their desk (bingo etc..). I found about 4 "minute to win it" games last year -divided the class into groups of 6 kids and they moved them to different stations (craft at one station). The one I can remember was put vaseline on their noses, then they have to pick up cotton balls with nose and carry to other side of room and drop on plate but there are a bunch you can find (stack the cups etc..).
Then after all the kids have done the games & craft, do the snack & then if you have time, bingo at their seats or book etc...
I have found you need someone to take charge b/c most of the parents just come & expect the teacher to be in charge & the teacher steps back since the parents run it. And unless someone takes charge it can be CHAOS! So come in with your best "teacher" attitude and have fun!
How time flies! Caileigh (9), Keira (6) & Eamon (3)
I would suggest you have a time line that you want to follow. (10 minute for craft...15 minutes for snack...10 minutes for book.....etc.) Be flexible if something takes a different amount of time, but at least you know your flow, what is coming next, and how to make sure to get it all in.
I would also over-plan. Sometimes it only takes about 35 seconds for kids to eat a snack. Or a craft might go faster than you think. Have some back ups so that kids are not bored. They don't have to be crazy involved...as simple game of "Elf Elf, Santa" (ala Duck, Duck Goose) or 7-UP could work. Even some coloring pages for those super fast kids when others are finishing up is a good idea. I would usually rather have too much stuff than not enough.
Have everything prepped and ready to go. Nothing kills a flow faster and gives opportunity for chaos like having to wait 5-10 minutes for the next event. I try to have everything I need already assembled and prepped as much as I can. This would be great if you have other parents helping you. "Suzie's Mom, while I run the game, can you get the snack ready to hand out?" "Johny's Mom, while the kids are eating the snack can you put glue on plates for the craft?"
You'll do great! Kids are pretty easy to entertain. Just keep them engaged. Don't sweat the details that they won't notice.
If you need any game ideas, let me know! I have some books I can look through! Good luck!
I would suggest you have a time line that you want to follow. (10 minute for craft...15 minutes for snack...10 minutes for book.....etc.) Be flexible if something takes a different amount of time, but at least you know your flow, what is coming next, and how to make sure to get it all in.
I would also over-plan. Sometimes it only takes about 35 seconds for kids to eat a snack. Or a craft might go faster than you think. Have some back ups so that kids are not bored. They don't have to be crazy involved...as simple game of "Elf Elf, Santa" (ala Duck, Duck Goose) or 7-UP could work. Even some coloring pages for those super fast kids when others are finishing up is a good idea. I would usually rather have too much stuff than not enough.
Have everything prepped and ready to go. Nothing kills a flow faster and gives opportunity for chaos like having to wait 5-10 minutes for the next event. I try to have everything I need already assembled and prepped as much as I can. This would be great if you have other parents helping you. "Suzie's Mom, while I run the game, can you get the snack ready to hand out?" "Johny's Mom, while the kids are eating the snack can you put glue on plates for the craft?"
You'll do great! Kids are pretty easy to entertain. Just keep them engaged. Don't sweat the details that they won't notice.
If you need any game ideas, let me know! I have some books I can look through! Good luck!
Anyway - kids are so easy to please. I did a lot of classic kid party games with a holiday twist. For example - hot potatoe was hot pumpkin or hot Santa. Pin the tail on the donkey, guess how many things are in the jar, musical chairs, a simple craft, etc.
Good luck and have fun! Before you know it they will be mortified by your prescence at school so take advantage of it now!