OT-Valentine's Party for 1st Graders

[pjzkent]

I am planning the Valentine's party for my son's class. Any ideas for things to do?

I was thinking about bingo, but I need a couple of craft ideas or other games to play that are inexpensive. We only have about 45 minutes for the party.

 

[BelleOfTheBall76]

"Simon Says" is always a hit with kids, and its free! You just have to endure the embarrassment of looking/acting silly along with the kids.

 

[perpetualplanner]

I did this dog out of hearts for a Valentine's craft one year. The kids liked it and it wasn't too girly for the boys. They can make it as a valentine for mom or just not write on it and have a dog they made.

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/mdog.htm

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! 1st grade teacher here
I've been having these parties for 18 years.

What's great about Valentine parties is that you don't have to plan a lot....it takes them FOREVER to open their Valentine cards...so plan accordingly.

My class will:

play Valentine Bingo
have their snacks
open their cards

If there's time at the end I will:
*distribute a Valentine "Hidden Pictures" for them to do while the parents clean up.
*call them to the carpet & we'll listen to a Valentine story on tape/CD

We have tried to do a craft before, but we end up too rushed. Plus, the glue ends up making a mess on their desks & then they're cards get sticky.

**If you do choose to do a craft, I would do it first. Otherwise, you may go over your allotted time.

 

[camouseketeer]

Activity: Give each child a plate with 5-10 candy hearts, a cup, and a pair of chopsticks. They need to use the chopsticks to move the hearts into the cup.

I agree with the PP that the passing and reading of valentines takes a long time. It is also a precious part of the party.

 

[daisyduck123]

Activity: Give each child a plate with 5-10 candy hearts, a cup, and a pair of chopsticks. They need to use the chopsticks to move the hearts into the cup.

I agree with the PP that the passing and reading of valentines takes a long time. It is also a precious part of the party.

OK I absolutely love this idea!
When I speak with my Room Mom about the party (I haven't called her yet) I am going to mention this game! They can even eat the pieces at the end. GREAT! Thanks!

 

[camouseketeer]

OK I absolutely love this idea!
When I speak with my Room Mom about the party (I haven't called her yet) I am going to mention this game! They can even eat the pieces at the end. GREAT! Thanks!

Thanks. I am a former teacher and was the room mom for my daughter's kinder class last year. I was worried that this activity would be too frustrating for them, but the kids were creative and made it work. Clearly the candies are a huge incentive!

 

[lntsmom]

By candycanes now while they're 90% off. You need 2 per kid, plus extras just in case. Also, buy sticky dots. You can get them at craft store or Oriental Traders. You also need ribbon and small silk florals.

Have the kids place the candy canes facing each other so they make a heart shape. Place sticky dots between them where they touch. Use another sticky dot to afix a small flower at the top where they touch. Tie a piece of ribbon to the curves at the top...this is the hanger.

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Puzzle matching:

Buy large red paper hearts. Cut them into 3 or pieces to resemble a puzzle. Make sure you have 1 piece per student and that all the hearts are unique. Distribute pieces randomly. When you say, "Go" the kids try to find the other people who have pieces of their heart.


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Current Inc. sells a fun and very inexpensive Valentine's Day Bingo Game. You can give it to the teacher after the party. One warning: Be sure to punch out the markers before the party. They're hard for kids to punch out.

 

[Sorsha]

Make a cute heart basket out of construction paper!
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Heartbasket.shtml

 

[Jajone]

I'm also planning a 1st grade party. We're planning to play "musical hearts". I am putting 21 hearts cut out of paper on the floor with numbers 1-21 on them. Play music, when music stops, pick a number out of a hat and the kid standing on that number gets to go decorate his/her cookie. When all numbers are called, the game ends. Kids finish their snack. We will play Bingo until the end of the party with mini candy bars as prizes (all will get one). We will use conversation hearts as markers. Teacher prefers we not do valentines during the party because the kids take toooooooo long.

 

[pjzkent]

love all of the ideas, keep them coming

 

[ilandrazdsw]

musical chairs. if it is a rather large class separate between boys and girls.

 

[BANNISTER]

bump...