Monday, August 2, 2010

End Summer with a Back to School Party


If you're like me, summer has flown by.  Literally.  We've just stocked up on school supplies and uniforms and while I'm just a little excited that school is starting, my daughter surely is not.  But why not celebrate all the fun we've had and launch the upcoming school year with a great party?

Start by planning what type of party you want to throw and where it should be. Then decide how you’ll decorate – red apples for the teacher, school bus yellow, and what menu you’ll serve – maybe fun sack lunches with special treats as a nod to school days.  You’ll also want to focus on some fun activities that celebrate the summer.  You could also invite some of the kids from the upcoming class to let all of them get caught up on what they’ve been doing this summer.

Here are some ideas for end of summer party activities:
  • Have a showing of summertime pictures and home movies.  Just hook your camera or computer up to the TV screen so everyone can see the pictures.  Young and old will enjoy the good memories!

  • Do you have souvenirs from places you’ve been that you can use in artwork projects for the kids?  Perhaps you have shells and sand you can put in clear candleholders or vases. Have you collected menus and programs that can be displayed in shadowboxes, mobiles or collaged artwork?

  • Have a few contests with prizes.  Do you have flash cards to review what the kids learned last year? This is a good way to refresh their memories on math, words, spelling.  You can give prizes and awards to the winners of the contests.

  • Play some age appropriate games.  Since this party has a back to school theme, assemble a pencil box with school items in it.  Let every person see inside the box for a minute.  Take it away and see how many items your guests can list on a piece of paper.  Or another slant on this game is to take one item out of the box after everyone has looked in it and see who can remember which piece is missing.

  • You could have a scavenger hunt, hiding school supplies and other fun items for the kids to find.

  • Do a “show and tellof their favorite moment or trip this summer. Have your kids kept a journal of the summertime activities?  Let them share a funny passage from the journal or have each one tell their own story.
Saying goodbye to the carefree, fun days of summer can make your children a little blue. At the same time gearing up for a new school year, getting new supplies and school clothes is exciting. Your end of summer/start of school party may just be the perfect way to help your children look forward to the new school season.

If you need some help in preparing for the party, whether it’s cleaning your home and yard, or shopping and arranging for the menu, contact Simplify to see how our team of professionals can help you make this party one that your kids will remember.

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