Room parents at our school always make favors a habit at classroom parties. I don't have a problem with favors in general. The problem is I have kids that EXPECT it. So, the question is what to do about it!
Some thoughts: Have each child EARN it by playing games - they can practice their money skills! I'd insure everyone walks away with something. Another thought - find a nice Halloween book and everyone walks away with a book and a sucker. Yet another thought - put 1-2 small favors in a bag and everyone gets a bag at the end of the party.
Does anyone else out there have a good idea? Please keep in mind that while I do have $ to spend on the kids it isn't much.
My daughter is in 3rd grade and she likes the little erasers and "neat" things like little notebooks. Basically the stuff you see in the front of Target. They have that little area where stuff is super cheap and you could find some neat things there like glow sticks, which they could use for trick or treating!
Dollar Tree is great for those kind of trinkets. As is Oriental Trading Co. online.
Since you mentioned books, I've ordered directly from Scholastic before. Look for their specials. I got book #1 of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole as favors for my daughter's birthday party for $1 each.
Another idea would be to give the kids un-decorated sugar cookies. Make up a price list of things they can buy to decorate their cookies- icing $,40, candy corn $.02/ea, etc. Give them a blank "order form", a $1 spending limit and require them to total it before they collect their cookie decorations. A parent can be in charge of passing out the decorations and checking the math.
We don't make "favors" but we do spider rings and Halloween pencils and erasers, rubber spiders, etc. as the "prizes" for participating in the games.
Favors for us are usually the craft the kids make at the party and a treat to take home. They can decorate a cupcake or cookie, make popcorn balls and put licorice in them for spider legs... I strongly dislike that dollar store junk, unless it's usable like cute pencils :)
Honestly, kids learn all day in school. Why do they have to do more work at their Halloween party to 'earn' their favors? I really think it's a good idea... that can be done in an activity during regular class time, not at a class party.
Dollar tree has good favors/prizes books etc.I would have them "earn it" and you can make a prize bucket where they pick from assorted toys/pencils/etc. GL
M
If you decide to make them "pay" for items, please remember that a lot of kids don't have great money skills at this grade. The kids that really struggle in school love these parties because it gives them a chance to relax. If you do have them "pay" make it simple with dimes and nickels. Most kids can add by 5's or 10's.
I like the make a craft and get a treat idea.
Maybe find a book to read that is fun and appropriate and have them make a craft that goes with it. Maybe make paper puppets that are wearing costumes? Or make spiders in a web (pipe cleaners, big black puff ball, in strung out cotton stuff) Have them name their spiders.
Get some of the other moms to pitch in. Don't do it all on your own. I don't feel they should earn it cause some kids it just throws them off when others come into the class and there is a lot of different stuff going on. In my son's class last year a few just shut down almost completly they were so over welmed. If you are putting it together yourself I would say put maybe a pencile and a peice of candy in a bag and call it good. If you can get help get someone to send stickers or fake teeth or something. The head room mom in my sons class tried to do so much on her own and didn't take advantage enough of the others of us that could have taken some stress off of her. I know you want your childs party to be great!!!!
Good luck and God Bless!
I would just do pencils, erasers and stickers. Non-food items that can be used at school.
just skimming tonight maybe i'm misunderstanding your responses, but it seem like if you had said they were "rewarded" for playing games, people wouldn't be giving you flack about them earning it. money games/counting games can be fun just make sure it is at an apporpirate level.
I love the book idea!
How about letting them make decorations to use at their house? A spider can be made with black plates, strips of construction paper, giggly eyeballs.
