Beyond peeled grapes and cold spaghetti
October 23, 2009 10:24 AM Subscribe
Next Thursday, I'm going to be forced to throw a Halloween party for about 15-20 second graders. Most, but not all, will be boys. We have a small house, and I have no freaking idea of what to do besides pump them full of sugar and hope that they don't break anything. I'd like to have some alternate plans.
I'm going to confine the revelers to a living/dining room for food and a family room for . . . whatever it is that they're going to do during this thing. So what are they going to do? We're going to set up a monster-cupcake making station, and we'll serve pizza, but beyond that, my brain stops. It doesn't help that both my husband and I are under a lot of stress at work right now, and neither of us really has time to get creative. I have friends offering to help - one is even a very skilled artist - but I have no idea what to tell them to do. Please give me some advice so I don't go down in history as the worst mom ever.
I'm going to confine the revelers to a living/dining room for food and a family room for . . . whatever it is that they're going to do during this thing. So what are they going to do? We're going to set up a monster-cupcake making station, and we'll serve pizza, but beyond that, my brain stops. It doesn't help that both my husband and I are under a lot of stress at work right now, and neither of us really has time to get creative. I have friends offering to help - one is even a very skilled artist - but I have no idea what to tell them to do. Please give me some advice so I don't go down in history as the worst mom ever.
keep the little boogers busy! Rotate them through activities...you mentioned the cupcakes...make one table a craft table, maybe put out a pin the eyeballs on the monster (I'm sure your party store has something like this) and have a group of kids start at each area and wind their way around as they finish one activity and move to the next, everyone stays busy but crowd control is easier for you and hubs.
Remember that second graders, esp boys, love to be grossed out. A "guess the body part" table could be fun...peeled grapes for eyeballs, cooked spaghetti for intestines, a canteloupe rind for brains, etc--except they have to feel the stuff blindfolded...uproarious laughter from the 7-8 year old set.
And don't make the party too long. Two hours is plenty.
Have fun!!
posted by agentwills at 10:35 AM on October 23, 2009
Remember that second graders, esp boys, love to be grossed out. A "guess the body part" table could be fun...peeled grapes for eyeballs, cooked spaghetti for intestines, a canteloupe rind for brains, etc--except they have to feel the stuff blindfolded...uproarious laughter from the 7-8 year old set.
And don't make the party too long. Two hours is plenty.
Have fun!!
posted by agentwills at 10:35 AM on October 23, 2009
Bobbing for apples! What 2nd grade boy wouldn't enjoy watching his friends ducking their heads in water trying to pick up fruit with their teeth? And in an adult sanctioned manner, no less?
posted by katemonster at 10:36 AM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by katemonster at 10:36 AM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you have a camcorder, have them make monster movies. They will already be in costumes. A certain amount of time to set up the plot, assign characters, etc. among themselves. Then a rehearsal, then you film it. I'd break them into groups of five to keep it manageable.
This shifts a lot of creativity onto them, and you can burn DVDs at some point and get them to the kids.
posted by mikepop at 10:39 AM on October 23, 2009
This shifts a lot of creativity onto them, and you can burn DVDs at some point and get them to the kids.
posted by mikepop at 10:39 AM on October 23, 2009
How long is this torture supposed to last? If it's 2 hours or so - I would think a few games and the cupcake decorating would be great. If you can - go all out decorating your house inside and out making it the spookiest EVER - complete with spooky music, a culdroun of witch's brew, etc. Kids would LOVE that.
(and I just noticed your title - I had a lovely response all typed out about grapes and spaghetti)
That said - kids really like that! Halloween Feel Box.
posted by Sassyfras at 10:45 AM on October 23, 2009
(and I just noticed your title - I had a lovely response all typed out about grapes and spaghetti)
That said - kids really like that! Halloween Feel Box.
posted by Sassyfras at 10:45 AM on October 23, 2009
Are they coming in costume? You could have the artist friend be a face painter* to add that "touch" to their costumes. Then maybe take their pix against a fun/creepy background?
To tie into this, you could have a craft where they make picture frames. You can buy foam frames and foam shapes at Michaels. Then have someone print the pix out and send the kids home with framed pix!
*From personal experience, it's worth it to use high-quality face paints that you buy at a theatre supply shop.
posted by radioamy at 10:55 AM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
To tie into this, you could have a craft where they make picture frames. You can buy foam frames and foam shapes at Michaels. Then have someone print the pix out and send the kids home with framed pix!
*From personal experience, it's worth it to use high-quality face paints that you buy at a theatre supply shop.
posted by radioamy at 10:55 AM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Are second graders too young for some kind of football game? Wear them out that way.
posted by notned at 11:14 AM on October 23, 2009
posted by notned at 11:14 AM on October 23, 2009
Will they have costumes on? A parade? They might love to show off by marching around the block or up and down the street, if that's possible. Fresh air might do them good, and if you make it the last thing to happen, they're already dressed and out of your house by pick-up time. Otherwise -Freeze-dancing to songs like Monster Mash? I may just be thinking of kindergarteners...
posted by peagood at 11:18 AM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by peagood at 11:18 AM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you have a yard and a clothes line, string donuts from the clothes line, line up the kids who must keep their hands behind their backs and eat the donuts. Added fun if you bounce the clothes line (and the attached donuts on strings) while they attempt this feat and use white powdered sugar donuts! Hilarity ensues! I've done versions of this inside in a basement but it does make a mess. Kids always loved it
And ditto on the 'guess whats in the container that you can't see' game. Cold spaghetti, pieces of banana, egg whites, play dough, anything squishy or slimy that will gross them out. The way I've run this is to go sequentially around the group with each kid guessing until somebody gets it right.
Other more elaborate fun things are an around the yard scavenger hunt with clues at each successive location sending them off to find the next spot.
I've used these with both girls and boys in your age range and they were big hits. Neither take lots of special preparation. I never found that boys were much interested in crafty things but maybe that was the cohort I had or the crafty things I tried. One sort of crafty thing that worked well during kids arrival was to put a sheet on a large table and let the kids go to town decorating the sheet with markers. Perhaps your artist friend could draw some halloween themed things to be colored on the sheet.
posted by bluesky43 at 11:19 AM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
And ditto on the 'guess whats in the container that you can't see' game. Cold spaghetti, pieces of banana, egg whites, play dough, anything squishy or slimy that will gross them out. The way I've run this is to go sequentially around the group with each kid guessing until somebody gets it right.
Other more elaborate fun things are an around the yard scavenger hunt with clues at each successive location sending them off to find the next spot.
I've used these with both girls and boys in your age range and they were big hits. Neither take lots of special preparation. I never found that boys were much interested in crafty things but maybe that was the cohort I had or the crafty things I tried. One sort of crafty thing that worked well during kids arrival was to put a sheet on a large table and let the kids go to town decorating the sheet with markers. Perhaps your artist friend could draw some halloween themed things to be colored on the sheet.
posted by bluesky43 at 11:19 AM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm gonna throw a vote out there against the bobbing for apples idea. I don't imagine the parents will be thrilled what with the H1N1 fears, let alone all the other nasties that kind of activity spreads around. Too bad, 'cuz it's a fun game.
I love the idea of decorating construction paper jack o'lanterns. Or remember those paper lunch bag jack o'lanterns we made in school? Have them stuff the bags with newspaper and paint them to be cool scary pumpkins.
Buy some rolls of cheap TP and have the kids make each other mummies. Take lots of pictures.
Just make sure you have any craft tables well lined with newspaper/disposable tablecloths.
How long is this party? Surely a couple craft/game stations, plus food and cupcakes will fill a couple hours for 2nd graders.
If you have a camcorder, have them make monster movies
This is an awesome idea.
posted by purpletangerine at 11:27 AM on October 23, 2009
I love the idea of decorating construction paper jack o'lanterns. Or remember those paper lunch bag jack o'lanterns we made in school? Have them stuff the bags with newspaper and paint them to be cool scary pumpkins.
Buy some rolls of cheap TP and have the kids make each other mummies. Take lots of pictures.
Just make sure you have any craft tables well lined with newspaper/disposable tablecloths.
How long is this party? Surely a couple craft/game stations, plus food and cupcakes will fill a couple hours for 2nd graders.
If you have a camcorder, have them make monster movies
This is an awesome idea.
posted by purpletangerine at 11:27 AM on October 23, 2009
You can get a bunch of cheap disposable cameras and maybe you can make up a "photobooth" with a big piece of tarp draped over a fence or door.
posted by spec80 at 11:30 AM on October 23, 2009
posted by spec80 at 11:30 AM on October 23, 2009
This worked for my halloween party for second graders a few years ago: I know you said you're keeping them in the 2 rooms. But if you have any kind of yard, go out before and scatter a bunch of candy and cheap dollar store gold coins, yo yos, little balls, etc. all over the place. THen when you're ready to send them out there, tell them this story: A witch swooped down and robbed a pirate ship's booty. She was greedy and took so much loot that it weighed her broom down and she dropped it...all over your yard! (embellish, argh, me harties, cackle cackle.) then send them out with paper bags to find and grab up the loot. While they are doing it, just sit there doing nothing for what used to be a cigarette break.
posted by keener_sounds at 11:33 AM on October 23, 2009
posted by keener_sounds at 11:33 AM on October 23, 2009
Kids do love that donut game bluesky mentioned if you can find a way to work it. It does make an ungodly mess though. As a fellow mom of a little guy in that age range, I’ve found that boys full of sugar like to move. Do you have a backyard area for a relay race or a game of tag? My son and his friends are currently obsessed with tag. You could just say, “lets go out back and play Halloween Tag!” and they’d be all over it. Musical chairs is good for the moving around too, you could pick up one of those Halloween music CDs at the party store and maybe your creative friend could come up with cool ways to decorate the chairs.
The other thing my son and his friends cannot get enough of is legos. You could just dump a pile of them on a table and invite them to make haunted houses and the like.
With regard to bobbing for apples, a lot kids that age are missing teeth so while it is kind of adorable to watch a 7 year old with no front teeth trying to bob for apples, it might frustrate some of the kids. Plus, the health concerns are also valid since while teeth may be scarce, running noses will be a plenty.
Good luck with it all. Regardless of what you do they are little boys and you’re going to have cupcakes and pizza, which will make you pretty much the best mom ever.
posted by Palmcorder Yajna at 11:55 AM on October 23, 2009
The other thing my son and his friends cannot get enough of is legos. You could just dump a pile of them on a table and invite them to make haunted houses and the like.
With regard to bobbing for apples, a lot kids that age are missing teeth so while it is kind of adorable to watch a 7 year old with no front teeth trying to bob for apples, it might frustrate some of the kids. Plus, the health concerns are also valid since while teeth may be scarce, running noses will be a plenty.
Good luck with it all. Regardless of what you do they are little boys and you’re going to have cupcakes and pizza, which will make you pretty much the best mom ever.
posted by Palmcorder Yajna at 11:55 AM on October 23, 2009
Thanks to those who've said something about the health concerns of bobbing for apples. That was the first thing I thought about.
I'm assuming that one of the little dudes that you're having the party for is yours--have you asked him what he and his buddies might like to do?
posted by dlugoczaj at 12:28 PM on October 23, 2009
I'm assuming that one of the little dudes that you're having the party for is yours--have you asked him what he and his buddies might like to do?
posted by dlugoczaj at 12:28 PM on October 23, 2009
You can make slime! It’s pretty easy to make and is always a big hit. I’ve always used a borax and Elmer’s glue recipe but there are more options online depending on your slime needs. Depending on your setup, it might be a good idea to break the kids up into groups and do several batches so that everyone gets a turn to help stir; also, if you use food coloring you may want to keep it under the control of an adult. Each kid can keep a chunk of slime to take home in a plastic bag, and I’d be sure to make some extra since someone will inevitably drop (throw) their slime on the ground and once dirt/glitter/crumbs/etc get embedded in that stuff it is NEVER coming out.
At the craft table, they can build their own monster. Your artist friend could probably be a big help here and kids would have a monster-party-favor to take home (or even star in the monster movie.) Include lots of fun ‘monster parts’ – paper bags turned upside down make nice puppets, different colors of construction paper, pipe cleaners (legs, antennae, or they can be shaped into monsters on their own), feathers, a package or two of craft-eyes, yarn, popsicle sticks, play-doh, scraps of cloth, foil and really anything else that catches your eye. Bonus – you can make scary masks too! Most of the stuff can be found pretty cheaply at a crafts store and be sure to have kid-safe scissors and washable glue on hand. I agree that you should definitely line your table with newspaper or something else to protect it (this makes cleaning up easier too –just roll it up, throw it away, and your table is clean.)
I nth the scavenger hunt and Halloween tag (the person who’s ‘it’ can be a monster – encourage them to growl and howl as they chase the other kids.) 'Spooky Simon-Says' might be fun too – “Simon says howl at the moon!” “Simon says walk like a zombie,” “Simon says flap your arms like a bat.”
posted by finallymarki at 1:34 PM on October 23, 2009
At the craft table, they can build their own monster. Your artist friend could probably be a big help here and kids would have a monster-party-favor to take home (or even star in the monster movie.) Include lots of fun ‘monster parts’ – paper bags turned upside down make nice puppets, different colors of construction paper, pipe cleaners (legs, antennae, or they can be shaped into monsters on their own), feathers, a package or two of craft-eyes, yarn, popsicle sticks, play-doh, scraps of cloth, foil and really anything else that catches your eye. Bonus – you can make scary masks too! Most of the stuff can be found pretty cheaply at a crafts store and be sure to have kid-safe scissors and washable glue on hand. I agree that you should definitely line your table with newspaper or something else to protect it (this makes cleaning up easier too –just roll it up, throw it away, and your table is clean.)
I nth the scavenger hunt and Halloween tag (the person who’s ‘it’ can be a monster – encourage them to growl and howl as they chase the other kids.) 'Spooky Simon-Says' might be fun too – “Simon says howl at the moon!” “Simon says walk like a zombie,” “Simon says flap your arms like a bat.”
posted by finallymarki at 1:34 PM on October 23, 2009
Buy a pinata.
Decorate paper lunch bags to take home goodies in.
Make paper bag puppets.
Murder handshake- everyone covers eyes. You secretly tap one kid to be the murderer. Kids walk around saying hi and doing handshakes. Murderer puts a tickle in their handshake to murder people. If your hand is tickled, you must shake 2 more people's hands, then you can have an elaborate showstopping death scene. Each kid gets one guess as to who the murderer is, and if they're wrong? Death scene! You can also do this sitting in a circle as Murder Wink.
Play tag outside before the sun goes down.
If you have enough flashlights, after-dark outdoor flashlight games would be amazing. Station the adults around the perimeter of the outdoor space to keep the kids off the street. Maybe buy glowing necklaces from the dollar store for even more fun. And a nighttime, outdoor, candy and party favour treasure hunt by flashlight would be super-fun! Glow in the dark face paint beforehand would also make this fun.
A good wind-down activity for outdoors might be sparklers. Most dollar stores carry them in the birthday aisle. Be aware of costume parts that may be dangly!
posted by twistofrhyme at 2:14 PM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Decorate paper lunch bags to take home goodies in.
Make paper bag puppets.
Murder handshake- everyone covers eyes. You secretly tap one kid to be the murderer. Kids walk around saying hi and doing handshakes. Murderer puts a tickle in their handshake to murder people. If your hand is tickled, you must shake 2 more people's hands, then you can have an elaborate showstopping death scene. Each kid gets one guess as to who the murderer is, and if they're wrong? Death scene! You can also do this sitting in a circle as Murder Wink.
Play tag outside before the sun goes down.
If you have enough flashlights, after-dark outdoor flashlight games would be amazing. Station the adults around the perimeter of the outdoor space to keep the kids off the street. Maybe buy glowing necklaces from the dollar store for even more fun. And a nighttime, outdoor, candy and party favour treasure hunt by flashlight would be super-fun! Glow in the dark face paint beforehand would also make this fun.
A good wind-down activity for outdoors might be sparklers. Most dollar stores carry them in the birthday aisle. Be aware of costume parts that may be dangly!
posted by twistofrhyme at 2:14 PM on October 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
Mostly boys? When I was a kid, "activities" was code for "boring, overly-structured stuff where I have to follow directions:. Avoid crafts.
Bobbing for apples could be fun, especially since there's a slight competitive aspect. Have them play tag outside until it's dark. Maybe a not-too-scary monster movie. Consider renting a video game system for the night.
posted by spaltavian at 2:47 PM on October 23, 2009
Bobbing for apples could be fun, especially since there's a slight competitive aspect. Have them play tag outside until it's dark. Maybe a not-too-scary monster movie. Consider renting a video game system for the night.
posted by spaltavian at 2:47 PM on October 23, 2009
Fun! I would do less sugar, more pizza & more activities so they are less crazy.
With 15 - 20 kids you might want to have three or four activity centers left open and then they can run around and choose what they want to play.
They can play "monster surprise" which is a variation on exquisite corpse Everyone draw a monster head, and then folds their paper to hide their drawing. Pass the drawing and the next kid draws the torso. Etc. At the end you get to color a silly surprise monster.
Have a scariest mask contest with construction paper.
Wheelbarrow races. Any kind of races actually.
Twister.
posted by debbie_ann at 7:18 PM on October 23, 2009
With 15 - 20 kids you might want to have three or four activity centers left open and then they can run around and choose what they want to play.
They can play "monster surprise" which is a variation on exquisite corpse Everyone draw a monster head, and then folds their paper to hide their drawing. Pass the drawing and the next kid draws the torso. Etc. At the end you get to color a silly surprise monster.
Have a scariest mask contest with construction paper.
Wheelbarrow races. Any kind of races actually.
Twister.
posted by debbie_ann at 7:18 PM on October 23, 2009
Don't have a cupcake station available the whole time. Decorate the cupcakes, then put it all in the kitchen, otherwise it's just a mess opportunity.
* Get frozen cheese pizzas, and decorate those - less sugar, same fun.
* Make masks. Cut out ovals from card stock (manilla folders work well), glue a paint stirring stick on as the handle. Cut out eyes and mouth holes. Kids decorate with washable markers, glitter, magazine pics, felt, etc.
* flashlight games sound fun; learning to make shadow puppets, and they can have their own flash light to take home as the party favor.
15 - 20 is a lot of kids; I'd have 3 - 4 adults present.
posted by theora55 at 8:32 AM on October 24, 2009
* Get frozen cheese pizzas, and decorate those - less sugar, same fun.
* Make masks. Cut out ovals from card stock (manilla folders work well), glue a paint stirring stick on as the handle. Cut out eyes and mouth holes. Kids decorate with washable markers, glitter, magazine pics, felt, etc.
* flashlight games sound fun; learning to make shadow puppets, and they can have their own flash light to take home as the party favor.
15 - 20 is a lot of kids; I'd have 3 - 4 adults present.
posted by theora55 at 8:32 AM on October 24, 2009
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-Age-appropriate spooky stories
-Some variation of jack o'lantern making (no need to get pumpkins; you can have them make construction paper ones)
-It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown if you think they can handle the slower-paced Peanuts; maybe some Scooby Doo special if not (I'm partial to the Phyllis Diller/Sonny and Cher ones from the '70s, but there are a million out there)
posted by oinopaponton at 10:30 AM on October 23, 2009