Celebrate the 1st Day Of School!!!



Pencil Cake

My oldest had no desire at all to start school. My youngest couldn’t wait to go, just like her big sister. Every child is different, but whether your child is excited or reluctant; the first day of kindergarten is important and stressful for child and parent alike. 

Having a party on the big day can be a great way to smooth the waters and give kids a positive image of school right from the start!

Try some of these ideas…

We had a Pizza Party and our big girl invited 3 friends (so total of 4 kids). But if your school lets out at half day, why not serve lunch in brown paper bags? Menu items could include sandwiches, cartons of milk and juicy apples!

Decorate with chalkboards, globes/maps and stacks of textbooks. (I placed these items around the room and then suspended apple and pencil cut-outs from the ceiling)

Play traditional schoolyard games such as tag, foursquare, hopscotch and duck duck goose.

For dessert I made cupcakes and let the kids decorate them, or if you prefer a less messy option try this fabulous Pencil Cake Recipe from Family fun!  CLICK HERE

Big or small, your kids will feel so proud when you help them celebrate their first day of school!

Truth or Dare Ball Game

When my youngest was turning 6 she desperately wanted a “Sleepover” Party! She wanted to be just like her big sister who has sleepovers all the time. The problem was that many of the children she wanted to invite where not yet comfortable with sleeping over without mommy or daddy. So, we compromised on a “Mock” Sleepover party!  

This party was a HUGE success! The kids loved it! I will go into more details another time, but for now I really wanted to mention one of the Party Games we played. This game turned out to be the favorite and the girls played it again and again! Keeping our “sleepover” theme in mind AND the age group I had to work with, I created “The Truth or Dare Ball!” After all, what kind of “Sleepover Party” doesn’t have “Truth or Dare”???

Here’s how it works:

Buy a large ball from the dollar store. In permanent marker write questions and dares all over it. (The more questions and dares the better, but remember to keep them fun and innocent for young ones!)  Place everyone in a circle and throw the ball to the birthday child. Then, like “hot potato,” play some music while the kids pass the ball from player to player. The person who has the ball when the music stops, must answer the question (or do the dare) that their right thumb is touching. The game then continues until every player has a chance to answer a question or perform a dare!

Ideas for some Fun Truth questions: 

1. What was the best thing that happened to you at school?
2. What was the funniest thing that happened to you?
3. Describe three things you like about yourself.
4. What is the best thing about your life right now?
5. What is your favorite kind of music?
6. Do you have pets? What kind?
7. What is your favorite thing to do?
8. Do you play any musical instruments? Which ones?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. How will you know who you're going to marry?  
11. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
12. What is the worst thing you’ve ever eaten?
13. What is your favorite food?

14. Do you sing in the bathtub?
15. Who is your best friend?
16. What is your favorite subject at school?
17. What makes you the happiest?
18. What is your favorite zoo animal?
19. Do you still sleep with a stuffy or something special? What?
20. What is your middle name?

Ideas for some Fun Dares:

1. Do the hokey pokey & sing the song!
2. Sing "I’m a Little Teapot" with all the actions!
3. Act like a chicken!
4. Try to lick your elbow!
5. Act like any person in this room! 
6. Sing ANY Selena Gomez Song
7. Snort like a pig!
8. Play "This little piggy went to market" on someone’s toes!
9. Dance like a Ballerina! 
10. Try to walk with a book on your head
11. Give someone a horsey ride!
12. Tell us your best joke.
13. Try to stand on your head.

You can adapt your Questions and Dares to match your party needs, age group and interests. Remember to keep “Fun!” as your number one objective and you are guaranteed to have a hit Party Game!