Schooling Step

Its that time of year again.... Is your child new in town or would you like to meet the newbies in the class and help them feel included??  Why not host a back to school party?

http://merrybevents.blogspot.com/2009/08/back-to-school-party-ideas.html

You can schedule the party like school classes: Home Room (guest arrivals), Art (Arts and Crafts), Phys Ed (games), Recess (open play), and Lunch Time.

For Home Room have every child bring a new book with them (include on invitation, specify on age weather chapter book or age appropriate).  Then at the end of the party have the kids swap books, so each child goes home with a new book.  Other favors to hand out: stickers, pencils, erasers, fun folders.

During Arts and Crafts you can have kids construct personalized pencil boxes.  A practical take home favor they will be sure to use in the coming year.  They can also put their other favors inside the  box to take home.  Make sure to supply lots of fun stickers, puff pens, permanent markers and stick-on jewels and shapes.

http://www.sbrookedesigns.com/favors.html

Games such as kickball, "Teacher Says" (a party themed Simon Says), or Twister would be fun for the Phys. Ed portion of the party. 

While preparing your food selections, you can give the kids recess.  A fun idea for your lunch time feast is to pack up the food in individual personalized brown bags.  Pack in each bag,  PB&J sandwiches, string cheese, grapes, and a juice box.  At the end of lunch time you can serve up some tasty back-to-school cupcakes.

http://www.foodbuzz.com/photos/1372534-photo-from-post-back-to-school-cupcakes

This party is geared towards getting the kids comfortable with each other and about making new friendships, while also making it easier to say good-bye to summer and hello to another fun school year!