Kid Christmas Party Themes

Still searching for a theme for the class Christmas party? Remember what makes Christmas so magical: togetherness and tradition. The themed list below will bring everyone together for a fun event and create lasting memories for the little ones.

Gingerbread House Making

"Raise the roof" … with a gingerbread house-making party.
For young children, pre-build small houses out of graham crackers. The best “glue” to hold the walls together is royal icing, but I like to use pre-made frosting. If it's too warm, though, the house will fall apart.
Set out an array of candies and give each child a plastic sandwich bag filled with icing, tied off and with a small hole poked in one corner. Show them some basic for decorating the houses, i.e., using shredded coconut as snow, peppermint pathways or Lifesaver windows.
For favors, give aprons or gingerbread cookies in cellophane bags.
If you have teens and need to kick this theme up a notch, have the kids design and bake their house parts ahead of time and bring them to the party. Give everyone an hour to assemble and decorate their houses and invite some neighbor judges over to choose the best one. The teens’ creativity might surprise you.

Kids' Christmas Party Cookie Exchange

Cookie making is a fun Christmas tradition, but who has time to make more than two or three kinds? Cookie exchange to the rescue!
Ask guests to bring two dozen of the same type of cookie to the party, plus enough copies of the recipe for each attendee. Display the cookies on a table, with the recipe cards and the child’s name next to each tray.
Then, each child loads up an empty plate with two of each type of cookie. While making their way around the table, the children also should pick up a copy of each recipe. Set up a station where the kids can then decorate covers and bind the recipes into small cookbooks as a memento of the party.

Crafty Christmas

It wasn’t all that long ago that Christmas gifts were made, not purchased. Bring back the tradition by hosting a Christmas craft party.
You could focus your ornaments only and set up three different stations where the children can make different decorations for the tree. Or have them undertake other projects like calendars or decorating candles with sequins. The kids also could make wrapping paper or cards at the party.
The crafts should be enough of a favor, but you could also send these creative kids home with a blank artist’s notebook and a set of Crayons or drawing pencils.

Party with a Purpose

It’s natural for kids to associate Christmas with receiving presents, but help them find the deeper meaning by reaching out to those who are less fortunate.
Throw a party with a purpose either by focusing on a charitable theme or simply asking guests to bring nonperishable food, winter coats or other donations to a regular Christmas bash. You could decorate the main table with a large stack of canned goods shaped like a tree, trim a tree with scarves as garland or hang strings of mittens above every doorway.

A Caroling We Go

A night of Christmas caroling can be cold, but it sure warms the heart. And using this theme as a classroom party offers an opportunity to share the holiday spirit with others.
Hand out songbooks you’ve made with copies of some favorite carols and gather everyone around the piano or stereo to practice. Stick to two or three short songs they can easily memorize. "Bundle up," hand everyone a candlestick or flashlight and then spread holiday cheer by singing door to door. Have the kids take turns presenting neighbors with a plate of cookies before moving onto the next classroom. Someone should stay back in the classroom to make hot cider, hot cocoa and other warm treats to await the carolers when they return.

Rock Around the Christmas Tree

Break from tradition with a Rock ‘n’ Roll kids' Christmas party.
Spray the kids’ hair with temporary red and green dye when they arrive (with parental permission, of course) and brand everyone with some holiday tatoos. Push aside the desks, hang a disco ball and let the kids dance to holiday songs by their favorite artists. If you’re up for it, rent a karaoke machine.
When it comes to food, what rock star doesn’t love pizza? Tie yours to Christmas by making mini pizzas in holiday shapes. To do this, cut the dough with cookie cutters before adding the toppings. For favors, send everyone home with a music-themed tree ornament, such as an electric guitar or drum set, or a CD burned with some of the Christmas songs.

Polar Express P.J. Party

Whether it’s the book by Chris Van Allsburg or the movie starring Tom Hanks, The Polar Express is a beloved Christmas story.
On invitations made to look like train tickets, invite kids to come to school dressed in pajamas. Serve hot chocolate (a nod to a particular scene from the story) and a train-shaped cake.
Read the book or show the movie, then send everyone home with a jingle bell, a reference to how the boy in The Polar Express finally believes Santa Claus is real.

Christmas Around the World

Give your kids’ Christmas party an international theme by hosting a Christmas-around-the-world party.
Assign a different country to each child, being sure to include Turkey, the homeland of Saint Nicholas, Germany, which is partially credited for the tradition of decorating a tree, and Mexico, where families hold neighborhood posadas. Research how other cultures celebrate Christmas, too.
Ask everyone to bring a side dish that represents the culture assigned to them, sing songs that tie to the countries, such as Stille Nacht (Silent Night) in German, and teach the kids to say, "Merry Christmas," in different languages.

Make sure you coordinate with the classroom teacher regarding "rules" for holiday parties at your child's school. I especially love the Party with a Purpose, but tend to host many Polar Express PJ parties myself. The holidays are magical especially with children involved. I assure you will have a merry heart planning any of these themes whether for classrooms or even in your home.

Okay Room Moms - it's time to start planning for the winter classroom party! It will be here in about three weeks so gather your troops and hit it here with a suggested letter to classroom parents regarding what the party will look like and what your needs are to be a success for the kiddos. Send it to school Monday for their backpacks.

Thank you for signing up for the class party needs. You are very generous! Here is your friendly Winter Class Party update:

Winter Celebration Friday, December 16@ 12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Parent Helpers:  ? , ? ,  and ? will take photographs

The plan for the Winter Celebration look like: 2 crafty activities - snowflake frames (Popsicle sticks, snowflakes foam shapes, and ribbon) and pretzel and string cheese snowflakes (edible treat); estimation jar (holiday M&M's); book exchange (kiddos will bring a new or gently used book wrapped to shuffle around the circle during a read aloud); and science "experiment" - lifting an ice cube with a string (cups, water, string, ice cubes, salt). I have also printed off jokes and riddles for the kids to read aloud if activities run fast than I anticipate. The kiddos will eat something sweet (cookies or brownies), something healthy (string cheese and pretzels), and have some juice throughout the party.

Treats and Supplies:

Cookies/ brownies (1 dozen each)                                           ? , ?,  and ?
Stick pretzels (1 large bag)                                                      ? and ?
String cheese                                                                         ?
Holiday M&M's (1 large bag)                                                     ?

Popsicle sticks                                                                       ?
holiday foam shapes                                                               ? and ?
1 bolt 1/2 " wide ribbon                                                          ? and ?
plastic cups                                                                            ?
ice cubes                                                                               ?
string                                                                                     ?

The number of question marks indicates how many people you may need to supply these items. I hope this sparks some ideas for you. Remember simple is best and I assure you success. Come back to find more classroom activity ideas.

Cookie Trees

I save the gingerbread house construction for Christmas and create Cookie Trees for Thanksgiving. It becomes an activity even the youngest of hands can help with. The process of building may take up to an hour, but well worth it. You will need:

• 2 16 ounce boxes confectioners' sugar
• 6 egg whites
• 3 Styrofoam cones, ranging in height from 7 inches to 12 inches
• 4 12 ounce boxes vanilla wafers or other small, flat cookies

1. Beat all but 1/4 cup of the sugar with the egg whites until stiff.
2. Spread a thin layer of the frosting on a cone (one cone at a time)
3. Working from the bottom up, overlap cookies, using more frosting as necessary.
4. Repeat for the other 2 cones.
5. Use a small sieve to dust the trees with the remaining sugar.

Straight pins can be used to hold the cookies in place while the frosting dries. The trees look pretty classy on the dining room table as a centerpiece. Sometimes I forget to remove them so I buy pins that have colored ends to look like ornaments.

Turkey Treats

I use the whole month of November to get ready for Thanksgiving. There are so many things to do... planning the menu, planning kids' activities, planning adult activities, CLEANING! When I plan ahead I get everything done. So this month's blogs will be dedicated to giving you ideas to get ready for the holiday.

On that note, here is a kids' Thanksgiving dessert that is so easy and could be used as a place card holder for your Thanksgiving table. I have also brought these little turkeys into my children's classrooms for Grandparents Day before school closes for Thanksgiving Break. Not sure where I found this, but Sharon Ostrander submitted the idea to a magazine I picked up somewhere and tore it out from several years ago. You will need:

• chocolate star candies (turkey feet or base)
• caramel squares (turkey body)
• chocolate striped shortbread cookies (turkey feathers)
• candy corn (turkey beak)

1. Microwave caramel squares 2 at a time for no more than 10 seconds.
2. Place the caramel on top a chocolate star.
3. Turning the shortbread cookie so stripes go horizontally, stand it behind the caramel.
4. Place the candy corn on top of the caramel sticking out like a beak.

Cute little turkey, huh? When I use these for place card holders, I sit the name card atop the caramel turkey body to lean back to the cookie feathers. I assure you your guests will find their place quickly to get this snack!

Spooky Eyeball Tacos

Yesterday I posted some ideas of spooky treats to pack for the "little monsters" lunchboxes, but today is dinner! Spooky Eyeball Tacos are easier than you might think. Everything you would make for your regular taco night with a simple modification...
Instead of spooning ground beef (or turkey) into your taco shells, make meatballs! Here are the steps to make the taco after you have prepared all the traditional ingredients you usually serve.

1. Spoon in shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes into the bottom of the shell.
2. Spoon in cheese and guacamole.
3. Place two meatballs into shell.
4. Using half a tablespoon of sour cream top the middle of the meatball.
5. Add sliced olives for irises.

They look really cool when you lay them on the side and on top of each other. Just like a monster coming at you and I assure you more than one will gobbled up!

Graveyard Ghosts

I have a sweet treat "scene" to share today. Imagine a freshly filled in grave with tombstone... Got a picture in your mind? Good. You will need:

• brownies (I prefer the large brownie squares from the bakery department at my local grocery store)
• rectangle shaped cookies (any flavor)
• whipped topping (Cool Whip does nicely)
• mini chocolate chips
• candy corns and pumpkins
• red gel frosting tube

1. Using the red gel frosting tube, decorate rectangle shaped cookies with "RIP" or "Boo".
2. Stick the cookie into the brownie. (I like to purchase the pre-made from the bakery)
3. Stack a few spoonfuls of whipped topping in the shape of a ghost on top of the brownie.
4. Use 2 mini chocolate chips for the ghost eyes.
5. Finish the "scene" with candy corns and pumpkins on top of the brownie.

You can do this in an assembly line fashion if you choose to do it for an edible craft at your block party or classroom celebration. I like the pre-made brownies because they seem to be the perfect size for the "scene" and the cookies stick better than my homemade recipe. I assure you will have a tasty "scene"!

A Blast of 31 Ideas

This is an easy post for me today, but I suspect you will be busy with the site I am going to share! (I know I will be bookmarking and taking notes for later events!) Check out:

DisneyFamily.com for "31 Days of Disney Halloween Crafts and Recipes"

I am saving all the cupcake decorating ideas! Whoo-hoo! Not only are they spooky for Halloween, but can be used for birthday parties with themes of Little Mermaid or Snow White! The 3D crafts can be used for birthday party activities like Pixie Hollow too. I love the Huey, Louie and Dewey ghosts and the Oogie Boogie Monster craft! What fun! You can always count on Disney to find a balance between the scary and fun.

Candy Corn Caramel Apples

This is a fun activity to do for a classroom party! Prep work will be key to successfully execution, but the kids will LOVE it! You will need:

• Granny Smith apples (1 per guest at least)
• Popsicle sticks for each apple
• caramel squares to melt for amount of apples (see package recommendations)
• 2-3 large bags of candy corn
• medium to large size crock pot
• nonstick spray
• wax paper
• quart size Ziploc

Prep to do before arriving at classroom party:

1. Wash apples and remove stems.
2. Stick Popsicle sticks into bottoms of apples.
3. Spray nonstick spray all over inside of crock pot.
4. Begin to melt caramel squares in crock pot on low.
5. Pour candy corn in to medium bowl.
6. Pack it up in the car and head to the classroom party!

Once at school:

1. Making this activity a "center" or "station" keeps the mess to a minimum. So set up  where there is room for crock pot, candy corn bowl, and a place for the "hardening process".
2. Have each kiddo dip their apple into  crock pot covering apple as best they can.
3. Next each kiddo should gently dip the bottom of their apple into the candy corn bowl.
4. Have kiddos place decorated apples on wax paper in your "hardening area".

5. Let them take them home at the end of the day in a quart size Ziploc!

I assure you the kids have probably not made their very own caramel apples before. What a fun experience for them!

Graveyard Cups

Graveyard Cups are that good ol' standby - dirt cups. And dirt cups by any name are still dirt cups and always party hit! So gather your ingredients:

• Chocolate graham crackers - smashed
• chocolate pudding
• gummy worms
• clear plastic cups (1 per guest)

You probably know the drill, but just in case:

1. Fill plastic cups half way with chocolate pudding.
2. Top  with crushed chocolate graham crackers.
3. Lay 2 gummy worms on top.

Ta-da! A party favorite!

Ants on a Log

I have used these for just about every party theme and this healthy snack is good one for Halloween class parties. Remember, I don't like to sugar the kids up too high! You will need:

• celery (one bunch for whole class is plenty)
• cream cheese (I use the garden vegetable flavor for added speckles of "stuff")
• raisins

1. Wash and cut celery into serving pieces.
2. Spoon in cream cheese to "stuff" the celery.
3. Place 2 or 3 raisins on top.

I like simple and quick!


Lots of kids don't like celery but when it's disguised with a title like "ants on a log" they just might try it and enjoy it. Same with the raisins, but most kids pick them off at classroom parties. You could use this as an edible craft, but it may not get eaten at all because the mystery has disappeared. When you use these for block parties or potlucks, most adults appreciate the healthy treat. Although they too may pick off the "ants"!

Ghoul's Eyes

Another healthy treat to serve with a spooky theme! You will need:

• dried apricots
• spreadable cream cheese
• chocolate chips

1. Put 1/2 teaspoon of spreadable cream cheese in the center of each apricot
2. Top each with a chocolate chip

E-A-S-Y right?! This could be another edible craft for a classroom celebration. Sometimes I use raisins instead of chocolate chips. It usually depends on how many sweet treats are served. When you have the kiddos make edible crafts with a spooky theme, the older the kiddos the less spooky the feeling though. However, if you remind the kiddos they could make a plate full of GHOUL EYES at home on their own; I assure you they will want to "pull a fast one" on their younger siblings!

Moo (Whoopie) Pie Spiders

Imagine a platter full of edible black widow spiders being served at you Halloween party. Today's treat will have the kids wanting more and more spook-a-licious fun. This is a treat kiddos can take apart and eat piece by piece and is always a hit. And, pay attention classroom mom's, this spider could be used as an edible craft for your Halloween class festivities.

I didn't grow up eating Moo Pies (sometimes called Whoopie pies) but have always heard about them. Think "large Oreo-like" cake sandwiches. You can make your own - trending all over cooking and recipe websites - or do it the easy way. And if you haven't guessed by now, I L-O-V-E the easy way! You will need:

• Little Debbie's chocolate pie sandwiches (1 per guest)
• Twizzler's Black licorice (2 twists per guest cut into 8 pieces)
• Gummy Lifesavers (enough for 2 per guest - 2 bags ought to be enough)
• M&M's (2 personal bags ought to be enough)
• large tube of pre-made frosting (I like Betty Crocker)
• paper plate or wax paper for each guest if doing as an edible craft
• plastic knifes if doing as an edible craft

1. Lay out paper plate or wax paper and plastic knife for each guest to create their spider treat along with one moon pie. Have the kiddos unwrap their pie and throw away the wrapper while you continue to pass out supplies.
2. Pass out licorice twists asking kiddos to cut licorice twists into 8 pieces for the legs. This keeps guests busy while you pass out Lifesavers and M&M's. They may come up with interesting ways to cut twists you hadn't thought of!
3. Pass out Lifesavers and M&M's or have an "eye station" where the kiddos mount the M&M's on Lifesavers using the frosting from the tube. If the kiddos sit in table groups in the classroom, you may want to provide 1 tube per table group.
4. Have kiddos mount eyes on pies!

Viola! Finished with an easy and spook-a-licious treat. In to past I have cut up red fruit roll-ups into triangles to place 2 on the top of the moon pies in an "hourglass" shape. I know black window have that mark on their underside and the kids may tell you that too if you provide this addition, but it does help the visual of spooky and scary! I assure you'll hear lots of conversation regarding spiders and black licorice being yucky!

Here's link too:

Adventures in Whoopie Pies

blog.williams-sonoma.com

Witches' Hats

This is another easy Halloween themed treat and a great hit for the class party! You will need:

• chocolate wafer cookies (I have used Girl Scout Thin Mints or Keebler cookies too)
• Hersey Kisses
• pre-made frosting
• orange food coloring

1. Color the pre-made frosting orange.
2. Use orange frosting to attach Hersey Kiss to wafer cookie.

TWO steps to this treat! Amazingly easy! I do squish the Hersey Kiss down far enough to have the orange frosting show, creating a "ribbon" look to the hat.  Sometimes I use an orange gel decorating pen to "draw" a buckle to accent the hat as well. Because this treat is easy, you could use this as an activity for the kiddos to put together at the class party for an edible craft. I assure you the kids will be successful with their creations!