Tips for a Fun-Filled Field Day

Once the stresses of getting through all of the high stakes testing and assessing are behind you, it’s time to prepare for the most important day of the year (according to the students): Field Day! The one time at school when it’s okay to run, play and scream to their hearts’ content. As any good teacher will testify, this fun is only possible with lots of advance planning and preparation, so here are a few tips to help make this a day of celebration for you and your students.

Year-End Celebrations: From Carnivals to Commencement

After nine months of growing and learning together as a class, it is time to face the bittersweet joy of saying good-bye. For some, this means a very formal send off with caps and gowns and all the pomp and circumstance which surrounds graduation.  For others, it is a time of activity and excitement, complete with games and carnival fun. Whichever route you follow always requires a measure of planning.

 

Election Party Planning Guide

Whether you’re planning a rally for your favorite candidate or want to get kids engaged in the democratic process, you can throw an election party to get everyone excited about politics and the freedom to vote.  Here are some tips and ideas to help you all the way to Super Tuesday.

Valentine’s Day Party for Kids

Planning a Valentine’s Day party for kids, whether at home or in the classroom is a piece of cake with this easy guide.  Check out the following ideas for decorations, games, activities, party favors, and food.

Complete Luau Party Planning Guide

Written By Penny Warner.

A tropical luau makes a great theme for any type of party – birthday, reunion, housewarming, clambake, barbecue, or even a bridal or baby shower.

Creative Ideas For a Classroom Birthday Party

Written By Penny Warner.

Share your student's special day with fellow classmates and make it a fun learning experience at the same time! Just choose a favorite children's theme and design the party around it.

3-6 YEAR OLDS

Prince & Princess Theme:
Host a magical prince or princess party and let the kids make their own royal tiaras and crowns, wands with streamers and costumes using crepe paper. Make paper bag princes and princesses using craft supplies. Serve cupcakes with decorated upside-down ice cream cones on top to serve as edible crowns.

Monkey Theme:
Offer the kids monkey puppets, stuffed monkeys, inflatable monkeys or bendable monkeys. Put on a monkey puppet show while the kids enjoy banana chips and banana suckers. Let the kids make monkey bookmarks using monkey stickers. Play monkey bean bag toss and score points by throwing banana-shaped bean bags into game board holes. For a fun favor, give them monkey hats to take home.

Monster Theme:
Give the kids monster masks and finger puppets and let them be little monsters. Serve monster suckers at snack time, and let them make their own monster cupcakes decorated with assorted candies.

Crafty Kids Birthday Party

Written By Penny Warner.

For a cool and creative birthday party theme, host a Crafty Kids Party! It's a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to celebrate the Birthday Honoree while engaging the guests in creative hands-on activities. Simply provide a variety of art materials and inspired craft kits, set up some easels and tables, and let the budding artists put their imaginative energy to work. Everything from the invitations to the party favors are sure to be priceless!

Creative Ideas For a Classroom Birthday Party

Written By Penny Warner.

Share your student's special day with fellow classmates and make it a fun learning experience at the same time! Just choose a favorite children's theme and design the party around it.

3-6 YEAR OLDS

Prince & Princess Theme:
Host a magical prince or princess party and let the kids make their own royal tiaras and crowns, wands with streamers and costumes using crepe paper. Make paper bag princes and princesses using craft supplies. Serve cupcakes with decorated upside-down ice cream cones on top to serve as edible crowns.

Monkey Theme:
Offer the kids monkey puppets, stuffed monkeys, inflatable monkeys or bendable monkeys. Put on a monkey puppet show while the kids enjoy banana chips and banana suckers. Let the kids make monkey bookmarks using monkey stickers. Play monkey bean bag toss and score points by throwing banana-shaped bean bags into game board holes. For a fun favor, give them monkey hats to take home.

Monster Theme:
Give the kids monster masks and finger puppets and let them be little monsters. Serve monster suckers at snack time, and let them make their own monster cupcakes decorated with assorted candies.

The Ultimate Classroom Halloween Party Guide

Make your school’s Halloween party frightfully fun with clever ideas to celebrate!

Decorating

Add a festive flair to the room with scene-setting decorations.  Jazz up bulletin boards with fall colors and decorations; add a fun border across the top of the chalkboard; hang construction cut-outs of pumpkins and black cats from the ceiling or use window chalk markers to decorate the windows, and don’t forget plenty of balloons!