Need Some Ideas - Columbus,OH

There is an awesome website called makingfriends.com I have been room mom for years and a girl scout leader they have awesome ideas and sell the supplies. You can also print off ideas and pick up the supplies somewhere else. I combine that with all the other ideas that have been posted which are great.
Have fun,
J.

Try this website www.orientaltrading.com and look under crafts. I buy there for making up party bags and crafts. Hope it comes in handy!!

Family Fun Magazine has some great craft ideas! familyfun.com is the website.
One easy thing would be to make an ornament--use the foam frames that they can decorate and put the student's picture in the middle. Also write the date on the ornament.
Have fun!

For my son's Christmas party last year we made snow globes out of babyfood jars you just buy some ornaments or figures small enough to superglue to the lid then let the kids pick out different color & or shape glitters and put them in the jar then add mineral oil fill the jar almost to where it's full then super glue the lid onto the jar they make very cute snow globes and the kids had alot of fun making them but they do take a little bit of time so you may want to super glue the ornaments on in advance so they will dry in time to glue the lids on you can write the kids names and year on the lid. It was alot of jun and a very cute decoration. Whatever you decide i'm sure the kids will love it.
M. D.

I know it's a little late, but if you need some ideas for future parties, here is a great website that can get you stated. I have been head room parent for 3 yrs for my daughter's class and I plan all the parties. I have used this website as a starting place several times. It helps get your mind thinking about some good ideas. If you still want, I can share some ideas I've used at my holiday parties. At our parties, I usually do a craft, snack, and game. The kids seem to enjoy the format and it works well in the short time alotted. The website is http://childparenting.about.com/od/kidsparties/ss/schoolp...
You can start on this page and click on the links to take you throughout the website. Good luck and have fun! J.

Go to the craft department at walmart and look at their foam crafts for Christmas. Last year I took individual pictures of the kids and had them processed wallet sized and they made a christmas picture frame out of a foam kit and inserted their picture. You can also find foam book marks and door hangers. What I like best about these projects for 1st graders is that they have the sticky back so they just peel and place and you don't have to deal with the runny glue nighmare. I also bought bells, beads and cords and let them make their own jingle bell necklace. Also, if you're the room mom, you'll want to check out Oriental Trading Company (online and you can request a catalog) They specialize in party crafts and games, etc and sell in bulk so in some cases, it's cheaper.

Why not bake cookies and let them decorate the cookies with icing and sprinkles? Then you've got the craft and snack all together!

just a thought on homemade baked goods - check with your school before you bring anything - some schools don't allow anything homemade. also, check about food allergies with all the parents before making a snack. if you've brought food before that you've been through this - just thought i'd mention it in case you hadn't thought of it.

also, i second the oriental trading idea - they have great craft ideas - even if you don't order from them (sometimes shipping is prohibitively expensive if you don't order a ton of stuff) you can get good ideas about making your own craft.

Here are a couple great websites for crafts:

www.apples4theteacher.com
www.rexanne.com
www.kidssoup.com
www.atozteacherstuff.com
www.dltk-holidays.com
www.kidsdomain.com

Have fun!
E. (former elementary school teacher, now SAHM to 1 yr. old boy)