3 Steps to a Killer Halloween Party in the Classroom

STEP 1: CRAFT SOMETHING

Popsicle sticks, construction paper, and yarn are vital tools in every kid crafter's arsenal, but don't be afraid to think outside the pencil box. Look for items around the house that you might otherwise throw in the trash (or recycle), like the empty tissue boxes for those adorable big-mouthed monsters!

I'm in love with the little God's Eye inspired spider webs, but I think it would be so fun to take it one step further ditch the popsicle sticks in favor of real sticks -- we need to pick up sticks, twigs, and branches from the yard after last night's high winds anyway. (If I tell the kids it's for an art project, they'll probably pick up the entire yard for us!) If my partner room parents are on board, we'll prepare a baggie for each of the students with 3 sticks, a length of yarn or twine, and a plastic spider. Insider tip: bring enough extras to include younger siblings who tag along, plus one to use as an example, too.

STEP 2: GAME ON

What's a party without active games to get the wiggles out and start the laughter rolling? The most timeless, universally successful Halloween games (in my humble opinion) is the Toilet Paper Mummy. Now we all know how important quality toilet paper is in the restroom. But equally important is the cheap quality of TP for games. Instead of reaching under your vanity for those quilted strong rolls, head to your local dollar store and find the cheapest, lowest quality toilet paper you can find. And buy plenty of it. There are two reasons for this: 1) I can't begin to count the number of times my grandmother lectured me on the value of good toilet paper, and she'd slap my hand if I wasted the good stuff on wrapping around little bodies for a laugh; and 2) The cheap stuff tears easier, thus making the mummy wrapping that much more of a hilarious challenge.

STEP 3: SINK YOUR TEETH IN

Ever since my daughter saw the graphic I was putting together, she's been asking to make popcorn hands. I have to admit, they are one of the cutest snacks I've seen, and easy to boot. We'll pick up a box of clear plastic gloves (you can usually find them next to plastic baggies -- be sure to use the food preparation kind that do NOT have any powder inside). Put a piece of candy corn in the end of each finger for fingernails, and then start filling the fingers with popcorn. Put fun plastic rings (I'm going to use one spider ring and maybe one candy ring) on the fingers starting at the wrist and threading all the way to the fingers just as soon as you have filled the fingers almost all the way. If you keep filling the hands, you'll never get those rings on. Now finish filling the hands with popcorn, and tie off at the wrist with a rubber band. In my book, it's always good to top it off with a cute ribbon and maybe even a tag with a cute saying if the kids are old enough to read and appreciate it. ;)

No matter what snacks and drinks you provide, make sure you also supply the paper plates, cups, napkins, and any utensils the little goblins might need!