3 Tips for a Stress-Free Valentine's Party

Is it possible to have a classroom party and not have to scrape the students off the ceiling?

I promise you, that YES IT IS!

It’s all about the battle party plan!

And I am here to help you get ready so that not just your kids will enjoy the party – so will you (without the aspirin) (or the Zanex) ;).

So here are 3 tips for a stress-free classroom party:

Imagine a stress-free Valentine Day party with your elementary students. Find Valentine activities, resources and freebies to help you save time and plan a fun Valentine's Day party for your kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grade, and home school students!

I have learned from experience that turning parties over to parents can often be disastrous. So for my own sanity, and desire to give the students a great party – I plan it – parents DO NOT PLAN – they are your worker bees – you are the queen bee!

I only enlist parent help after I know what I want.

To get organized ahead of time, I use an organizer for my parties, so that I don’t forget something important. (One year I forgot to put ice-cream on the list for our ice-cream sundaes – YIKES!)

Decide what Valentine crafts, games, activities, and decorations you are going to include. With plan in hand, you can now delegate to some of those marvelous parents who love to help.

(If you would like this planner, you will find link below.)

Gather all materials for each activity. I like to put each in a tub or box – so in the thick of the battle party, you can just grab it and be ready.

The party plan: starts out slow (individual) – gets a little wild (but controlled) – quiets back down with partner and small group games – ends with the BANG!

(And then they fly out the door to their own homes.)

You have a plan – but remember to be flexible. If a game you thought they would love is not being enjoyed – change it!

This is the general sequence my parties have:

Easy Craft – whole group
Bingo Game – whole group
Minute-to-Win-It Games
Partner or Small Group Games
Refreshments & Valentine Opening

Once those Valentines and refreshments are out – the kids are GONE!

So that brings me to my 3rd tip:

You can be Prepared, Have a Plan, and still have a crazy party…. You need to be able to quickly get the partiers’ attention to give instructions for the next activity on your plan. And if you have a signal, you can do that without shouting.

So what is your signal going to be?

a bell
a clap pattern that they echo
a phrase they echo
or your favorite signal

Whatever your signal – be sure that it is something that has been agreed to, taught, and practiced before the party!

You have your

Valentine Party PRE-PARTY PREP DONE
you have a PLAN
you have SIGNAL

Do you need more:

Games,

Decorations,

Crafts,

Puzzles

If yes…. check these out….

The BONUS FREEBIE (with link below) is part of this marvelous Valentine Party Pack!

Imagine a stress-free Valentine Day party! This pack has party planning tips, Valentine Day Decorations, Valentine Crafts, and Valentine Party games to help you save time and plan a fun Valentine's Day party for your kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grade, and home school students! It contains all you need (and more) to have a fun-filled classroom party! {kindergarten, 1st, second, third, fourth, fifth graders}

Color-by-Code are always a great way to integrate curriculum content with a special day! These are perfect for Valentine’s Day and the days leading up to Valentine’s Day.

Need some no prep seat work for February days? These Valentine color-by-code worksheet pages will give your 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade, and home school students that essential practice they need for their addition facts. Plus, it's fun and engaging! Each page focuses on a different mental math strategy, which makes differentiation a snap! It's great for independent practice, math centers or stations, review, homework, morning work, and RTI pull out. {first, second, third}

Kids LOVE doing these color by code pages! And you have the satisfaction that they are learning and practicing important skills!

Check this Pinterest Board to find tons of Minute to Win It Games as well as many other Valentine party resources!

After the party – look over your plan – reflect:

What worked?

What do you wish you had done differently?

What did not work?

Jot it down and file it with your resources for next year.

Next year will be even better!

Now, I have some fun resources for you to help you have a stress-free Valentines Party, they are in my FREE Resource Library.

Just click on the picture below to get them!

Already have the ‘Key’ to my resource Library?

CLICK HERE TO FIND IT IN THE LIBRARY

PIN FOR LATER

Please leave a comment and let us know how your ‘Stress-Free’ Valentine Party went!

Seasonal

5 Comments

Mrs D's Corner February 7, 2015 at 7:51 pm

I seriously was just thinking about how stressed out I was over the Christmas party… for the Valentine's Party, we are starting state testing this week too! Stress on top of stress! This blog post is wonderful 🙂 I will definitely be using your tips! Thank you 🙂

Julie Herrmann February 13, 2015 at 7:11 am

Love your tips and the Classroom Valentine Pack! Mentioned it on my blog. TeacherMsH

Peggy Means February 16, 2015 at 8:49 pm

Thank you, Julie! I really appreciate you!

Peggy Means February 16, 2015 at 8:51 pm

Thank you, Stephanie! You are so encouraging! I hope you had a delightful (stressless) party! <3

A me February 18, 2015 at 6:36 am

Delegating to my parents party responsibilities. They love doing it. Parties can only last the last 30 minutes of school, so they plan accordingly. The best party is they understand a little about teaching and keeping scholars interest the ENTIRE time:)