Can you believe we are already thinking about holiday parties? I feel like it was just Halloween, but here we are. Holiday parties still might look a little different for your district this year. Before Covid, many schools allowed parents in the classroom to help with planning and assisting with the annual holiday parties. Or, maybe your district has never allowed parents or even large parties. Either way, it’s always fun to celebrate the holidays with your students. And, there are so many fun ways to do so. I am sharing a few ideas on celebrating the winter season with your students.
Crafts
Let’s be honest, is it really the holidays if you don’t make fun crafts with your students? I know my first-graders love it when we do crafts in the classroom. And, there are so many holiday crafts to choose from. Whether you incorporate other activities or not, you can play some festive music and have your students rotate from different centers to create holiday crafts. Maybe you have a go-to craft you make everywhere or looking for fresh new ideas. I have an entire bundle filled with elves, reindeer, snowmen, and more. This bundle definitely has something for everyone.
Holiday Escape Room
I always love to incorporate learning into my winter parties. It is so easy to plan activities that your students learn from, but they genuinely don’t realize they are actually working. And, when we do organized activities, it keeps the party from getting too chaotic. An escape room is a perfect way to keep your students on task, having fun, and learning about different holidays around the world.
Pajama Party
A classroom party is a perfect time to bust out those new holiday pajamas. And, let me tell you, my first-graders LOVE pajama parties. I have done a holiday pajama party in the past, and it’s just a fun day where we drink hot chocolate, play games, and enjoy each other before heading off for winter break. There are so many different games and activities in this bundle that are perfect for playing during your winter pajama party.
Movie and Hot Cocoa
If you are looking for more of a low-key activity to do during a winter party in your classroom. You can never go wrong with a movie, popcorn, and a bit of hot chocolate. Some districts are very adamant about no winter parties but allowing for a movie, and hot chocolate is a great way to kick off winter break. You can bring in a crockpot for your hot chocolate and find some festive cups at the dollar store, and you are ready to go!
STEM Challenges
My students love STEM activities, so why not make them winter-themed? STEM challenges are a great way to get students to communicate, collaborate and build relationships plus, STEM is fun. Grab a stack of green cups from the dollar store and challenge your students to create their own tree. Let’s see how high it can get. Or, one of my favorites is building a winter den using marshmallows and toothpicks. You can also check out my gingerbread bundle, where I have fun STEM activities and challenges. I have built gingerbread houses with my students during our winter parties in the past, and let me tell you…they are definitely a STEM challenge.
Snacks
There are so many delicious sweets and treats you can find during the holiday season. So why not bring some into the classroom during your winter party. Make it a math activity and grab a few different bags of M&Ms- have your students taste and graph the different candies. Or work together to make a fun winter Chex mix. You can work with your students to practice measuring and adding things to create their treat—just a simple and easy way to bring some goodies into the classroom for the winter season.
Another fun idea is to decorate cookies like gingerbread man (or girl) faces. We love to do this at the end of our gingerbread study. Just ask for plain sugar cookies, frosting, mini M&Ms, pull and separate licorice, mini chocolate chips, red hots, skittles, etc. It’s so much fun!
And, last but not least, during my winter celebration with my students, I always love picking a few read-alouds that they will enjoy. I have included a few of my must-reads during my winter party below.
Never Let a Unicorn Meet a Reindeer
You may want to grab this Winter Bingo freebie to use in your classroom at your Winter Party.
Just click through to snag it.
The best thing about winter parties is they look different for everyone, so whether yours is loaded with fun crafts, snacks, and games or just a low-key afternoon of a movie, it’s just a great time to enjoy with your students. What is your favorite way to celebrate with your students? Let me know in the comments.
