how to throw a rockstar valentine's day class party

It’s not easy running a class party–for any holiday–but with the right help and planning, any Room Parent (and his or her small army) can pull one off with ease!

Valentine’s Day class parties are no exception. There’s no magic formula, but I’m a firm believer that this parenting gig is hard enough–and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

Especially for our fearless, brave, admirable Room Parents.

This isn’t rocket science, but I do know it’s easier for some folks than others to find the right mix of games, crafts, and snacks to introduce to elementary schoolers. I know it’s easier for some to delegate duties to parent volunteers, organize and plan, and stand in front of a group of kids and get them from Point A to Point B with smiles on their faces.

But all Room Parents deserve a hearty (gentle) pat on their backs for taking on the j-o-b. It’s not easy. And we’re all busy.

I’ve only been a Room Parent a few times, and I certainly wasn’t perfect, but these are some things I did–with the help of my co-parents and our small army of volunteers!–and I think the Valentine Day parties all went pretty well.

Here’s the skinny. . .

How to Throw a Rockstar Valentine’s Day Class Party:

In most schools, there’s not a whole lot of time for the actual party.

My class party ‘plan’– nothing fancy and a work in progress, but it helped!

And in most schools, the ‘big’ crazy fun event is delivering those love-filled Valentine cards. So I think the delivery should be the main activity–though there needs to be a few other games and activities thrown in the mix for sure.

Here are some pointers I’ve used in the past to keep parties moving, keep kids smiling, and keep teachers thankful their students were having fun:

Valentine’s Day Class Party Set-up/ Prep:

Sent out this Valentine’s Day Class Party Note (you can grab a WHOLE class party here!) about three weeks before the party. And then really use your parent volunteers! Make a quick and easy ‘Party Plan’ for all of the volunteers to have on hand during party day.

Prepare Valentine’s Day Party Goodie Bags:

Just a few dollar-spot items–pencils, stickers, temporary tattoos, nothing fancy. But the goodie bag is a great landing spot for the crafts and sweets from the party, too. And my feeling is that if there are goodie bags at the end of the party, there’s no need for prizes in between.

Valentine’s Day Class Party Decorations:

I’m not big into decorations, because I’m much too boring. I think you’re good with streamers, dollar store tablecloths, and pink napkins. But other than that, unless you can keep them every year–to use for the next party–I think they’re a waste. Only because the kids don’t care–they’d rather have more games, more goodies in their bag, more goodies during the party.

Move the desks into four clusters, and put a tablecloth over each set of desks. That way, when kids are finished eating, it’s quick clean-up!

Divide the class into 3-4 smaller groups.

That way, they can rotate between fun stations without a hitch. Divide them by having them pick heart foamies (or stickers, or numbers, or whatever) out of a hat. They can slap that sticker on their shirt, and there’s no question about what group each kid is in. Start the party by arranging groups, and have each group give a big cheer: Let’s hear the pink heart group give a happy shout! C’mon, purple hearts, let us hear you!. . .

Let them eat sweets and deliver valentines.

Priority numero uno. But do it in shifts! Have the parents put the snacks out on plates while other parents are decorating. Do not let it be a kids’ choice free-for-all, and really go easy here! Store-bought Valentine cupcakes, a cookie, juicebox, and fruit. Bam. Done.

Say, Okay, first graders, while everyone’s eating, let’s have the Purple Heart group grab their Valentines and deliver them to their classmates. Deliver them with a smile, and when you receive one, I think Mr. [teacher’s name] would love to hear his students practice good manners! I’m sure we’ll be hearing lots of ‘thank you’s!’ from this great group of smart first graders!

Once the sweets are eaten, trash cleaned up, and Valentines delivered, time to get your game on!

Play Valentine’s GAMES!:

Start with Valentine Partner Match—

Put a card face-down on each student’s desk, and then explain that the game is Valentine Partner Match. The goal is for each person to find the ‘match’ to the person on his or her card–they may be buddies, pals, or sweethearts. Tell them to flip their card, wave their card in the air, and then look around the class to see if they can find their partner. After a few minutes, tell them to go stand by their partner. Then collect the cards, hand them back again, but put them on their backs. Now let them try to find their match, and it’s a wee bit more difficult! (Get really crazy and add your principal and vice-principal to the blank cards–the kids will get a kick out of it!)

Next, divide students into their groups, and put the parents to work!

Group 1: Valentine’s Day Craft —

The crafts for these parties have to be SO EASY IT’S NUTS, especially for the little guys. So, so so easy. Soooo easy.

And if it can be a craft sans glue, even better. But there should be a sample made so the kids (and parent!) know what they’re making, and the craft supplies should be in individual bags, so there’s no fumbling for pieces. And there should be a bag of ‘extra’ supplies in case one kid’s missing that one pink sparkly heart. I like craft stores for this kind of thing–you can buy easy crafts for under ten bucks, and most sets have enough for 18-20 crafts.

Consider something like the Mini-Stained Glass Hearts or something similar–no glue, pretty, and kids love them!

Group 2: Mitten Candy Race Game —

Big, adult ski gloves and wrapped candy equal silly fun for kids. Divide the group into two smaller groups of 3 kids each. Have them stand in two lines facing each other, and put a pair of ski gloves on the first person in line.

That person must unwrap a piece of candy while wearing the gloves, put the candy into his or her mouth, and then pass the gloves to the next person who does the same thing. First line to finish wins! [Obviously, be cautious of choking here–choose candy wisely and remind kids that it’s not who eats it quickest but who unwraps it quickest!]

Group 3: Valentine HEART Bingo —

Good, calm-down bingo game with a Valentine’s Day theme. Valentine’s Day HEART Bingo can be downloaded and shared here (valentines day HEART bingo).

The biggie thing here is to have bingo markers and to print out the bigger cards along with the game–the words are under the item, so there’s a wee bit o’ learning that can go along as the bingo caller can point to the larger card when the smaller cards are flipped: Okay, I flipped ‘H’ and the ‘fire heart’. Everyone look for the ‘fire heart’ under ‘H’–it looks like this. . . First one with five in a row, shout ‘HEART’!!!

Group 4: Candy Hearts & Chopsticks —

A bunch of chopsticks and a bunch of candy hearts means some serious fine-motor work for elementary schoolers! Pour a few handfuls of candy hearts into a centralized bowl, and give each child a small paper plate or small paper cup.

Then let ’em at it! The winner will be the person who moves the most candy hearts from the bowl to his or her plate in the set time. Give each kiddo a sandwich bag to save his or her winning candy!

Free time at the end of the par-tay?

Nothing like a good ole fashioned game of Freeze Dance! Make sure you bring your CD player and your kids’ favorite Kidz Bop CD, and you’re good. To. Go. Or adapt these cool activities for the dreaded extra 10 minutes of a party.

A few supplies you may want or need beforehand:

Cardstock, for printing out the games
Foamie Hearts for dividing up the class
Red glass ‘gems’ for bingo markers
Red plastic tablecloths
Goodie bags and Valentine goodies and Valentine stickers
Quick & easy Valentine’s Day craft sets: Themed Stamp Set; Make-your-own valentines;
Kidz Bop CD
Wooden Chopsticks
Candy hearts

Class parties have been held for years and years and years and years, so let’s start sharing our trade secrets, right? Anything else to add? Please leave me a comment with your ideas, both successful and not-so-successful. We’re all in this together, so let’s share what works!

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