Christmas Party Ideas for Toddlers, Preschoolers and School-Aged Children

I am currently the organizer of a moms group and am planning my third annual Christmas Party for our families. The past two years have produced very successful holiday parties where the children and parents alike had a wonderful time and left with smiles on their faces. Here are some ideas for you to try to host a successful Christmas Party of your own.

Space: Be sure to have enough space to accommodate the number of people you expect to attend your party. There are many venues out there depending on where you live. You can consider your home. There are also venues that tend to rent community rooms out for such events. Think of churches, country clubs, and libraries. Some apartment and condominium complexes also have community rooms that can be reserved. Many in my area tend to be free if the person reserving the space lives there.

Crafts: This year I have reserved space at our local library. The past two years, I have paid to hold our party at a local church in their large community room. Both spaces have an ample number of tables and chairs that can be used by those attending our event. I set up a large table with craft supplies and coloring pages for the children to enjoy. You can find coloring pages by visiting your favorite online search engine and typing in "Christmas coloring pages." There are plenty! Print them out and supply crayons and markers for the children.

As far as other crafts, I have supplied all the necessary items to make a winter snowman.The children love it!

Face paint has also been a big hit. I set out the face paints that look and feel much like crayons as opposed to the face paints that resemble finger paints in their consistency. I also have individual mirrors that stand up on the table. Children can sit themselves in front of these mirrors and paint their faces with any design that they'd like, or their parents can draw on their cheeks such things as snowmen, snowflakes, Santa hats or Christmas trees. Fun!

Cookies: At another table, I set out sugar cookies that I bake at my home the night prior to my event in the shape of Christmas trees, bells, and gingerbread men. I have the table filled with frosting, child-friendly knives, sprinkles, chocolate chips, and other assorted candies. The children are able to frost and decorate their cookies and then enjoy eating them, too! This is always a hit because of the sheer amount of candies I have on the table. The children are really able to pick and choose some of their favorites. The older children can be found truly making great designs on their cookies, too!

Santa: A must-have if you're able! Prior to the families entering the party room, they place a wrapped and labeled gift for their child in a large sack that we use as Santa's gift bag. I ask that each parent spend no more than $5.00 on each gift they provide to ensure simplicity. We have a Santa suit and my husband puts the suit on in the bathroom where the children cannot see him. When he's ready, I get all the families together in one area and we start singing "Jingle Bells". Santa then enters the room and greets the children. He sits in a designated chair and will take a gift out of the bag. Each child is able to approach Santa, sit on his lap, and receive their present. A wonderful photo opportunity for parents and the children are so excited to open their gifts!

Music: Have some child-friendly Christmas music playing in the background. You can even turn it up and have a little dance party!

Food: Food provided may be determined by the time you choose to have your party. I typically have it around lunchtime. I've provided pizzas for those in attendance and I have also gone the route of having each family bring a packed lunch to eat. You can certainly choose to have your event in the morning or afternoon and not at lunchtime in which case, you can simply just provide the goodies for the cookie decorating, or you can have some child-friendly snacks on hand in place of or in addition to the cookies. Kids love to eat!

Try some of (or all) of the above ideas to ensure a wonderful Christmas party for the children in your life.