Host a Holiday Craft Party for First Graders

In the weeks leading up to holiday break, spirits are high and attention tends to wander in first grade classrooms. Since it's usually easier to just go with the flow, many first grade teachers like to have a "party day," with special activities like movies and crafts, during the week before Christmas vacation. Crafting with first graders can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can organize a crafting party for your first graders that will give them a chance to work on four different craft projects with a Christmas theme.

Hosting a Holiday Craft Party
Having your students work on several different projects at once might sound like a recipe for chaos, but hosting a holiday craft party for your first graders doesn't have to be hard. If you can, recruit three or four parent helpers and ask them to show up a bit before school. Before your students come in, arrange four different craft tables (covered with red or green paper for easy cleanup) and set up all of your project materials in advance.

When your students arrive, explain the instructions for each project, and then divide your class in groups, giving them a certain amount of time at each craft station. To keep the number of students at each station manageable, you can also add more options, like a holiday-themed games of bingo or coloring pages. Having a parent volunteer at each station will also help things go more smoothly.

Holiday Craft Station Ideas
To get you started, here are four first grader-tested ideas for your craft stations:

Crafting Station #1: Snowflake Ornament
For this craft station, your students will make a cute, personalized snowflake ornament that they can give someone special as a holiday gift.

You'll need:
Foam cutouts shaped like snowflakes
Elmers glue
Assorted colors of glitter
Hole punch
Ribbon
Students' school picture

First, have your students punch a hole at the top of the snowflake cutout (or if you like, have the cutouts pre-punched before your craft party begins). Next, instruct your students to loop the ribbon through the hole and tie it in a knot, so they'll have something to hang their ornament from. Let them glue their school picture in the center, and then outline the snowflake in glue and dust on the glitter of their choice.

Station #2: Reindeer Food
The big man in red is welcomed every year with cookies and milk. Why not let your students show their appreciation for his reindeer this year with a batch of "reindeer food?"

You'll need:
2 Shoebox-sized plastic tubs
2 Spoons
Birdseed
Oatmeal
Sugar cubes
Glitter
A plastic bag for each student

Fill each tub with birdseed and oatmeal ahead of time. Demonstrate to your students how to make their reindeer food by adding two scoops of oatmeal, two scoops of birdseed, two sugar cubes and a dash of "magic" (glitter) to each bag, with instructions to sprinkle on the lawn on Christmas Eve as a special treat for Santa's reindeer.

Craft Station #3: Decorate Sugar Cookies
Making and decorating Christmas cookies is a fun holiday tradition. Share it with your first graders by letting them decorate their own sugar cookie any way they want.

You'll need:
Paper plates
Plastic Ziploc bags
Sugar cookies
White frosting
Plastic knives
Assorted decorations

Before your party, label a small paper plate with each of your first graders' names. At the party, provide each child with a sugar cookie and a plastic knife and white icing to frost their cookie. Using colorful sprinkles, cinnamon candies, and other festive decorations, let your students decorate their cookie to bag and take home with them.

Craft Station #4: Hot Chocolate Gift Set
Nothing takes the chill off of a cold winter's day like hot chocolate, and your students will have a blast making these cute gift sets.

You'll need:
Construction paper
Ribbon
Hole punch
Candy canes
Hot chocolate packets
Assorted markers

In advance, cut half-sheets of construction paper for each student. Fold up the bottom third of the paper, lengthwise, and then fold the paper in half. You'll have a small card with two pockets inside. Punch a hole on the side of each card (or let your students do it). During the craft party, let your students decorate the front cover of their hot chocolate gift set, and then fill one pocket with a packet of chocolate and the other with a candy cane to use as a stir stick. Thread the ribbon through the side, and then tie in a bow to hold the card closed and the hot chocolate inside.

Holiday craft parties are a great distraction for first graders who are already keyed up at the thought of potential presents and two whole weeks off of school. With some preparation and the help of a few volunteers, you can help your students celebrate the season in a fun and creative way.

Source:
Personal experience: my son's awesomely creative first-grade teacher hosted a holiday craft party this year, and I was lucky enough to be one of the parent participants.