Classroom Valentine’s Day Party for Kids

As children most of us looked forward to the annual Valentine’s Day Party at school. We shopped with our mother’s for the perfect assortment, and spent hours deciding whom in the class got what Valentine. You always saved the special one for the crush in your life, without everyone knowing it. And, have one even for that icky kid who was always pulling your hair!

Valentine’s Day also is a day you should think about being sensitive to the feelings of others. It is a time of anxiety for children who don’t have money for cards of their own, or who feel out of place in the class. As a matter of fact, it should be a rule that if they bring cards they have to have one for everyone in the class. A nice idea would be to ask other parents to purchase an extra box of cards and send them in a week before the party so the teacher can discreetly give them to children who can’t afford to get some of their own.

Kid’s love Valentine’s Day! They love the cards, the chocolates and candy hearts, and they like the break in the normally boring winter by celebrating anything. This is the perfect time to get out the craft supplies and let your kid’s creativity take hold!

Perhaps a few days ahead of time the teacher can have children bring in empty Kleenex boxes and decorate them for the Valentine’s they will get at the party, or give them a homework assignment to decorate and bring in their own boxes to put their Valentines in.

Get together with the teacher to work out the length of time the party will be, and what supplies you will need to bring. Plan at least one craft, a game, and snacks. 

Let them put together their own Valentine cards to take home to their parent(s). You and the teacher supply colored paper, glue, glitter, valentine shapes, stamps, yarn and whatever you can find to decorate the cards.

Keep in mind that some kids, who don’t feel like they are popular, may feel out of place at a party. Go out of your way to include these children. Let them be your assistant and pass out the supplies, or set up chairs for musical chairs, etc.

Plan a game or activity – musical chairs, Pictionary (have each child draw a picture of a Valentine-related object, life a bow and arrow or cupid).

For a treat you can bring sugar cookies cut out in the shape of a Valentine, and the kids can decorate their own. Supply frosting (simple powdered sugar mixed with butter and milk and colored in red, pink or left white) and Popsicle sticks to decorate the top. Add sprinkles and you have a treat they will love, and have fun making.

As long as everyone is included, you have the room under control, and the kids are having fun you will have a successful party!

Youth Super Bowl XLVI

The adults shouldn’t have all the fun during the Super Bowl. You’ll want something to keep the kids occupied – or for those who are not particularly interested in the NFL or football.
Let the kids put together their own celebration. Decorate a room, or a section of a room, just for the kids – footballs, goal posts, jerseys in their favorite team colors. Have balloons and streamers in the same color scheme.  Have them dressed in team colors or jerseys. Hang footballs from the ceiling. Let the kids help with the décor, and let them have their own snack table, decorated with a green tablecloth and make it look like a football field.
Place juice packs in a tub filled with ice. Make philly cheese-steak quesadillas - a fried tortilla filled with roast beef and cheese (you can leave out the onions for the kids), or have a large plate full of slider sandwiches – miniature versions of what you are making for the adults. You can also put a taco bar out for them to make their own.
Nachos are always fun to eat, and have a bowl of chex party mix, puppy chow (chocolate Chex cereal mixed with melted peanut butter and dusted with powdered sugar) or seasoned popcorn for snacks.
For an activity you can have the kids decorate their own cupcakes or sugar cookies. Give them each a Popsicle stick to spread different color frostings, making clean-up easier.
You may want to print some pages out of football subject so kids can draw and color (supply them with washable markers, water color pain or crayons that only show up on paper, just in case).