31 Elementary School Event Ideas [Family Fun Event Ideas] - Kid Activities (2024)

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Fun School Event Ideas

31 elementary school event ideas to help bring families and classroom staff together. These school events will help develop a “Sense of Community…

SOME QUICK IDEAS

1. Pizza & Game Night: Pizza can be a variety made by children and staff (Boboli, English muffin and Bagel or purchased by the program. Parents can also sign up to bring a pizza or other goodies! Games can be in the gym(See Gym Games)and/or more quietTable and Thinking Games.
2. Potluck Dinner
3. Theme Night(Party)
4. Roller SkatingParty
5. Ice- Skatingatinside rink or outside
6. Bowling
7. Breakfasts
8. Talent-Variety Show: Open this up to a variety of choices!Showcase children and children with their parents; also include staff members!
9. Drama ProductionTheater Night – Children perform original or well known skitsand plays.
10. Readers’ TheaterPerformance
11. Carnival or CircuswithCentersand Games
12. Parents and KidsGym Night
13. Family Participation in aCommunity ServiceorEarth DayEvent
14. Art Showor ArtAuction(Below is Silent Auction idea & Spring Art Show)
15. Picnic/Barbecue(See below idea)
16. Create an After-School Experience for Parent Participation.Use centers and open gym–provide snacks; have parents do what the children do!
17. Pastries for Parents-Hold this in the evening or during an afternoon at SAC.
18. Goodies for Grandparents: Any time would be a good time; however,Grandparents Day is the second SundayinSeptember. How about doing this in September?
19. Muffins for Mom.For a Mother’s Day celebration, Mom (or a favorite person) spends some morning time at the program. Children can give presents and cardsthey have made. Also offer muffins, fruit, etc.
20. Mother’s Day Tea.The same as above except in the afternoon with tea and cookies!
21. 21. Father’s Day Happy Hour.Around 4:00 (or later) in the afternoon, fathers have root beer and popcorn with their children and teachers. The children can invite a “Favorite Guy” if Father is not available. During this time the children present gifts and cardsthat they have made…a great way to get more Dads involved!
22. Ice Cream Social:Ice-Cream Socials are great family events!Consider adding the below silliness to you festivities:

Ice Cream Eating-No Hands Used!
Give each child a scoop or two of ice-cream in a bowl. Have them sit comfortably at a table ….
The fun is that they keep their hands behind their backs and eat the ice-cream with only their mouths! It’s NOT a speed eating contest–just silly fun!

• Be sure toVideo Tape and Take Pictures!
• Have Dads participate

‘I Scream For Ice-Cream’!Pair this up with your ice-cream social.
Teach the kids:
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Divide the group into teams (number of teams depends on number of youth)

• Which team can say it the loudest?
• Have a third party judge…

EVENT IDEAS FROM YOU…

23. Silent Art Auction

Twoyears ago we had aSilent Art Auction.Invitationswent out well in advance to everyone the children knew…For more than a month children were involved in all types of art projects: drawing, paint, fiber, batik, water color, ink, clay and jewelry making.

• We matted the children’s artand displayedit from5:00 until 7:30.
• We indicated the opening bids in dollar amount. Families wrote down their offers and put it in a slotted box next to the items.
• Soft music played; we had water, cider, cheese and crackers. A few parents also brought cookies(Lots of visiting, and chatting! too!)
• Make sure the children are there to get their family to bid on their things! IT WAS FUN AND THE CHILDREN HAVE ASKED WHEN WE CAN DO IT AGAIN–but we’ll wait a couple more years to repeat it. Cassie in Michigan

24. Pajama Club

A very large program in Montclair, N.J. (38 staff and 225 children attend daily) offers aPAJAMA CLUB!

On Friday nights, staff members operate a pajama club for all students and their siblings, 3 years of age and older.The pajama club offersparents a night out from 7:00 pm–10:00 pm—twice a month for a charge of $12 per child, paid in advance.

Children are encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas for stories, art, and music. Every month, the club “travels” to a different country and explores it together.Local restaurants have begun to offer discounts for families whose children participate in the club. (Parents dine out while children are at the club!)

One of the ways Tashain Californiahas connectedwith parents is to“give them a night out”a few times a year!I imagine parents love her for it! Where can you go out and pay child-care of $10.00for four hours?

From Tasha …Ihave had Parents’ Nights Out, in which we charge $10.00 from 6 pm -10 pm. For one ‘Night Out”Example: Instead of having a party for Halloween during ourprogram time,I hada Halloween Partyduring a‘PARENT’S NIGHTOUT’.55 out of 100 students attended and about another 10-15 students from the school came (they paid the 10.00 fee). I then used the money to pay for extra things on site for parties, etc. — A WIN WIN!

Tashaadditionally wrote:We also have a ‘Parent’s Night Out’ during other times of the year –such asa ‘Sweetheart’s Ball’ to celebrate Valentine’s Day.Thisgave parents a chance to go out for the special day. There was lots of participation because my kids loved dancing.

25. Family Picnics
Weinvite families to come to a local parkand ask for volunteers to bring different items. (Plates, utensils, napkins, desserts, hot dogs, buns, chips, drinks, etc) We post a sign up sheet for all to see… andSet up centers, play games, music, eat, dance, have fun!!!
Breezie

26. Community Get Together
Something we do ischoose a place that will donate a percentage of all the proceeds for a night(for us it’s 15%) to our organization.
All the center families get together; enjoy some pizza, laughs and have conversation! It’s great for moral and also a great way to bring everyone together to support the center/program!
Shutterbug1410

27. White Elephant Auction Night

As suggested by Roberta Newman in”Building Relationships With Parents and Families in School-Age Programs, 2nd Ed.,have aWhite Elephant Auction Night–Each family contributes a usable item (or a mystery object) that they no longer want. One person serves as a “goofy” auctioneer and others bid on the treasures until all are sold. Proceeds can go to purchase an item for the program.

28. BRAG NIGHTS(This child care center has regular Parent Events)
From Shutterbug1410
I think that Parent-Teacher meetings are often hard for parents to attend or they just don’t “feel like it”—so I came up with the idea to combine the meetings with a “Brag Night”. I use these as a VITAL key in my program.

•For the first 20 minuteswe watch a VIDEO PRESENTATION of the kids playing and at centers, activities, games, etc. from the past month as well as SHOWING OFF photos, artwork and the projects we have been working on.

•Next, we TALK about what the THEME UNITwill be for the next few weeks/ month, etc. and talk about waysparents can GET INVOLVED –as well as opportunities to go on field trips, etc. that they can take advantage of…

•During this time we alsoset up a “PROJECT TABLE” for the childrento enjoy while we go over normal things such as center policies, etc.

•We also enjoy REFRESHMENTS together! We serve coffee, etc. but Ialways include a few things that the kids have on a regular basis, such as fun snacks that go with their theme, etc. This gives the parents a chance to see what we eat.

•It always turns out well and the parents love seeing their child in their environment as well as with their friends… and they love getting together with other parents and their teacher!

YOUR NEWLETTERS…

help connect your program and staff memebers to the families you serve. Make them as interesting, upbeat and complete as possible.Click herefor Tips, Ideas, and Articles to include in your News!

SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR IDEASfor Fall,Winter, Spring, Summer…

SEPTEMBER– GOODIES FOR GRANDPARENTS: Any time would be a good time; however,Grandparents Day is the second SundayinSeptember. How about doing this in September?

SEPTEMBER–BEGINNING OF THE YEAR POWER POINT SLIDE SHOW…The first couple weeks of school, snap photos of students in all ACTIVITY AREAS—such as working and playing with other kids, team building activities, outside and gym play, etc. Include this with the slide show. Make sure you get ALL children in photographs!The presentation can be included with a question and answer session… Light refreshments- such as cookies and punch- are always a nice touch.This idea is from theBack to School Category.See other ideas…

OCTOBER–‘LIGHTS ON AFTER SCHOOL—In2014 itis October 23—There are also many ideas intheLights’ categorythat will work for Family Social Events.

NOVEMBER–HAVE ATHANKSGIVING BUFFET–

Weeks ahead Post and Hand-out aSave-the date.Invite parents to attend and have themsign up to bring in foodstraditional to Thanksgiving.Serve: Turkey, sweet potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, pies, fruits, etc.

Weeks ahead Post and Hand-out aSave-the date.Invite parents to attend and have themsign up to bring in foodstraditional to Thanksgiving.Serve: Turkey, sweet potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce, pies, fruits, etc.

Estimate the amountsyou will need—and put out a sign-up sheet with how much you’ll need. Example-
Pies

1. __________________
2. __________________
3. __________________

Parents then sign up for their choice. Be sure to tell them tobring their contribution ready to go and serve!The program can provide juice, water, sturdy plates, napkins and utensils.

***Think about this!Time is short for us all–however–there are many excellent food stores that make good turkey breasts, chicken pieces, potatoes, fruit, etc.Inform families their contribution does not need to be home-made!

Craft Activity:For the Feast, makethemed place-mats and decorationsthe weeks before…See Thanksgiving pages

JANUARY–WINTERFEST FAMILY EVENT…

Invite families to see how children spend their time!

What is needed?

• • Invitations made by the kids or computer

• Materials to make snowflakes;
• Balloons/helium; ribbon
• Hot cocoa/warm cider, cookies and treats;
• Special friends and family.

Begin to prepare for “Winterfest”when you return to school after the Holiday break. Early February would be a good time to hold it.

→Make invitations NOW.Invite families and VIP’s to join for an evening of fun, music, and treats to eat.

→ Start the event after dinner timebut provide goodies that parents can sign up to bring.

• If your budget is low—you can also include items such as hot cups, napkins and utensils.
• You can provide the cocoaand/or warm cider punch and water.

Set up “centers” for the event.Each group or team of children with an adult facilitator can choose what they want to do.

• One group may want to inventwinter theme carnival games for guests to enjoy.
• One group may decide on an easy craft project or twoand have everything prepared for their guests to create the projects with them.
• One group canfacilitate gym games.
• If your group is large group, you may need another center.
• Another idea is to have an area with “quick” table games or some of the circle games you play. How many centers are set up depend on the size of your program.
• Guests rotate through the centers.

THE EVENING CAN END HERE WITH REFRESHMENTS OR……..

After an hour of enjoying individual activities in centers, gather in a large area for a sing along led by the children—this is also goodie time!

• Maybehot cocoaand warm cider punch?Have a yummy treat table which can be supplied by a previous sign-upsheet with family donations. Be sure to instruct families to have all snacks and treats ready to serve and eat.

Each team can make their own decorationsfor each center,but have all children decorate the main gathering room.

• Children can makea variety of snowflakesfrom tissue paper, doilies or cut-outs.
• Theday of the event fill balloons with helium. Hang some of the snowflakes and balloons alone and float some balloons attachingsnowflakes to them with different lengths of ribbon. If the ceiling is not too high, let these go in the room and they can float to the ceiling. A nice ideas is to hold your sing along undersouvenir balloons/snowflakeswithchildren’s name on them!

Individual songs can simply be led by the children or different Teams. You can sing to Cd’s, a piano or keyboard.Maybe the music teacher can join the celebration and assist?!!!Just have fun!

BLACK HISTORY MONTHIN FEBRUARY–Share it with your families!(This would also be a fantastic idea for May! May is “Inventors Month”!)

In celebration of this month–challenge the children to come up with unique and useful inventions!

1.Open up your recycled supplyarea and provide materials such as- pieces of wood, used CD’s, milk containers, straws, tape, pipe cleaners, paper clips, yarn, string, paper, glue, poster paint, markers, crayons, elastic, fabric scraps, construction paper, pom-poms, rubber bands and safety pins.

2.Children can work individually or in small groups; Give them plenty of time to brainstorm ideas.Challenge children to come up with unique, creative, andusefulitems.

3.The kids may need more than one day to complete their projects; however, when complete- share the inventions with the group.

• What is it?
• What does it do?
• What materials are used to make it?

5.SHARE IT…This is an activity that takes time and thought. Honor the children’s work by inviting parents and visitors to view the display. A written description of each “invention” would also be a good idea.

This would be a nice “sharing with families time”; it could be heldthrough-out the program afternoon or as social time after the program ends. Add punch and cookies and have a social event…

If awards are given out, be sure that each child or group recieves one–the most unique,smallest, largest, useful, fun, amusing, original, helpful, practical, handy, amusing, entertaining, most materials used, least materials used, colorful, heaviest, lightest, etc. (Look up synonyms for descriptive words)

29. Ice-cream Social Family Event

MARCH–How about aSt. Patrick’s Partywith aGREEN ICE-CREAM BAR?Consider making it anICE-CREAM SOCIAL FAMILYEVENT…

Ingredients:

• Pistachio and/or Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream; lime sherbet
• Green M&M’s
• Green Gummy Worms
• Green Sprinkles
• Green Shamrock Cookies
• Green Maraschino Cherries
• Chocolate Syrup
• Whipped Cream

Set up the ingredients in bowls on a buffet table for thefamilies tocreate their own sundaes. YUMMY!Play some of the fun St. Paddy games from this site!

APRIL–EARTH WEEK ART AND PROJECT EXHIBIT

This will need to be starts weeks before Earth Day which is April 22…Display photography, sculpture, drawings, pastels, etc., as well as crafts, toys, and nature projects made by thechildren. FOCUS EVERYTING ON THE ENVIRONMENT or MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS.

• Set up your “Exhibit” and Hold a FAMILY EVENT after school. You can also invite school classrooms to walk through and view.
• Serve refreshments/snacks with an Earth theme…Ideas for snacks are in theEarth Day-Every Day Category.

30. A WARM WEATHER ART SHOW…

Families enjoy their children’s art as well as their children’s titles and writings. Consider a springtime sidewalk art show to share children’s explorations with art and writing.

Involve children in mounting and displaying the artwork on the sidewalk or along a hallway.

Put up a clothesline and help children hang their mounted works with colorful clothespins. Try attaching children’s names to the clothespins for easy recognition. Ask children to draw “invitation cards” sent home to families with the date and time of the event.

Serve some easy refreshments…
Make a video of the event as families enjoy the art and writing…

MAY

31. MUFFINS FOR MOM

For a Mother’s Day celebration, Mom (or a favorite person) spends some morning time at the program/school/classroom. Children can give presents and cardsthey have made. Also offer muffins, fruit, etc.

MOTHER’S DAY TEA

The same as above except in the afternoon with tea and cookies!

MAY IS INVENTORS MONTH…Also check out the Inventions Idea above in February’s Black History Month! May is Inventors Month! The inventions activity for a Parents Eventwould be awesome!

JUNE

FATHER’S DAY HAPPY HOUR

Around 4:00 (or later) in the afternoon, fathers have root beer and popcorn with their children and teachers. The children can invite a “Favorite Guy” if Father is not available. During this time the children present gifts and cardsthat they have made…a great way to get more Dads involved!

I used to have fun with the following idea at ourFather’s Day/END OF THE YEAR PARTY EVENTS.(Sorry, I don’t remember where I first saw this–but it’s fun! Cassi in Michigan) This would also be fun at a large family get together.

Get together a few families and play theFATHER’S DAY/CHILD GAME. Divide into four father/child teams. Ask the fathers to leave the room while the children sit in chairs. Ask the same four or five questions to each child about their fathers. Bring in the fathers and ask them the same questions. Will the father and child have the same answers? Switch places and see how well the father’s know the children. Award a red rose to the winning father/child team.

Question Ideas:Favorite color, movie, candy bar, color of toothbrush, memorable moment with you, best friend, hobby, talent, food, animal, cartoon, pizza topping, ice cream topping, restaurant. Most embarrassing moment. Favorite holiday.

JUNE THRU ALL OF SUMMER…Check out the#22 ICE-CREAM SOCIAL!There you have it, 31 elementary school event ideas.

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