Super Fantastic School Parties

please don't overspend. It can create issues on down the line for the "other mothers", & at times is off-putting to the teacher too. Just saying....been there, seen it happen, & the after-effect was not optimal. :)

Use your own creativity & exuberance to make this special for the kids. As with most life lessons, from the heart is much better than from the wallet.

There are 2 websites which are my go-to resources for parties: Family Fun & Better Homes/Gardens. Occasionally, Martha Stewart too. Please try to limit the amount of sugar, please try to think of the kids with issues who do not respond well to over-stimuli. All of this factors into a GREAT PARTY!

Been throwing parties for years now....I find it's always best to pick a theme or aspect, & build the party from there. Since you're working with 1st/2nd grade, I would recommend staying away from the songs or anything which would mean that a handful of kids wouldn't be able to keep up with the group. (unless you know for sure that all kids in the class are on the same track developmentally.)

Good luck & kudos to you! & here's the website for Family Fun: http://familyfun.go.com. I did check it out & there are some awesome ideas!

The best thing we did is buy a $40 chocolate fountain and have that with fruit, cookies, and rice krispy treats.

I've always had luck finding craft ideas, decor, and more at www.orientaltrading.com.

I'd also check out Martha Stewart decor and projects at Michaels crafts or directly from her website. And Katie Brown and Donna Erickson (Both have PBS shows similar to Martha Stewart). They all are great with kid parties that will WOW and have people raving.

http://www.createtv.com/CreateProgram.nsf/vProgramsByNola...
http://donnasday.com/

Here are some books I've gotten great ideas from for games and party activities:

http://www.amazon.com/Great-Big-Book-Childrens-Games/dp/0...

http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Noodle-Games-Activities-Inn...

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Team-Building-Games-Trust-Buil...

My son just went to a 'Minute to Win It' party. Lots of fun. We did something similar at the school Christmas party.

You basically pic a handful of games that can be done seated or in a small space.
- cookie face. - you place a cookie on the bridge of your nose. have to move it down your nose to your mouth without dropping
- hot balloon. kids sit in a circle. pass a balloon around the circle using their feet.

Family Fun has tons of cute Valentine's ideas for school parties, with food/games/favors and snacks.

http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/valentines-day-par...