Anyone have any ideas for planning a Preschool party? Party is suppose to last an hour and include a craft, games and book reading.... Any suggestions?
We ordered a couple of things from Oriental Trading Company. One is an ornament craft and another is making a necklace. We're also bringing sugar cookies, mixing up colors of icing with food coloring, and sprinkles for the kids to decorate their own cookies.
I haven't though about games. I'll have to check back to see other responses!
I was a Kindergarten teacher (before I was a M. of twins) and we always made candy houses at our holiday party. You need small milk cartons, frosting (homemade or store bought) and lots of candy. We let the kids slather the carton and stick on as many pieces as they wanted. You can use marshmallows to make snowmen. It's easy and the kids love it!!
If you do order from Oriental Trading make sure to look at the size of the ornament/project someone of them are tiny!!
Good luck!
Off the top of my head...
craft depends on how much help you have...
with lots of help, handprint santa upside down so top of palm and thumb is the hat, palm is the face and fingers are the beard (can put cotton on the beard) or a print reindeer with footprint for the face and handprint antlers.
with not so much help...making an ornament with the craft foam. We got kits from Oriental Trading Company that were inexpensive, but any craft store I'm sure would have the same type of thing.
Games...pin the star on the tree, hot ornament...
book...Twas the Night Before Christmas, kids book version of Christmas story
I actually have been making ornaments/magnets with my 2 year old and I am sure you could do something similar-- sticky foam is really cheap as are some pre painted wood shapes. I got gingerbread men that were brown and added eyes, buttons , and stripes. She could do it with help so I am sure pre-schoolers can do it also. As for a game how about pass the snowman (hot potato) or wrap a present many times and inside have something for all to share (pencils, candy canes). Let each take a turn unwrapping a layer.
You might even try books about Rudolf or the Nutcraker. You might even try Frost's Friends or the Biggest Snowman Ever. Check out your local library if you don't have a wide selection at home.
For games, musical chairs with Christmas music can last. You can also try having the kids dance and freeze when the music stops. If you move you are out. (Again using Christmas music.)
For crafts, craft foam is good. Check your craft store for sticky foam. We made Snowman door hangers last year at church with 1 1/2 year old and older. It was really easy, since you didn't need any glue. Look online and you should be able to find different pictures that they can color. You can also make a wreath. Cut the center out of a paperplate. You can color it green for them or let them do it. Then let them decorate it. Pom poms, craft foam, cut out shapes all work well.
Hope you and the kids have lots of fun.
We are having our kids class paint ornaments. A person is coming in from a paint your own pottery place and then they bring them back in after they are glazed. They will do that and have a snack.
