How to Host a Back to School Party

School bus

The time has arrived when the school bus is coming around the corner and the kids are collecting all of their last minute supplies to get ready for another year of education. Not only is going back to school a time for hitting the books and looking your best in new school clothes it is also time to throw one last bash to celebrate summer just before school starts.

Things You'll Need

• Guests
• Invitations
• Streamers
• Balloons
• Tape
• "Welcome Back" banner
• Mini chalk boards and colored chalk
• Tablecloths in school colors
• Paper plates in school colors
• Plastic eating utensils in school colors
• Pizza
• Peanut butter bars or desert of your choice
• Juice boxes
• Carrot sticks and dip
• Pencil boxes filled with crayons, pencils, erasers, calculators, sticky notes
• Radio and pop CD or music of your choice
• School bus piñata filled with small school supplies
• Plastic bat
• Notebooks, planners and backpacks
• Construction paper, scissors, life-size poster of your choice of celebrity or teacher

Instructions

1. Generate a guest list and send out invitations to the party. Ask guests to RSVP on the invitations.

2. Begin to set up for the party the morning the event. Hang the "Welcome back" banner at the entryway where guests will be arriving. Add streamers and balloons to the walls and ceilings that are close to your school colors and adhere with tape.

3. 

   Prepare the tables by securing the tablecloths with tape and adding the tablewear to each guest's designated seat. Mark the seats with the small chalk boards and write the names of the guests on the chalk boards with the chalk. Prepare the pencil boxes by filling with school supplies such as crayons, pencils, erasers, calculators and sticky notes. Set these on the chairs where the guests will be sitting.

4. Set up the game area. Find a safe place to hang the piñata where the guests can enjoy the game. Have players use a plastic bat to break the piñata. Create a "pin the apple on the teacher" game by purchasing a large poster of your choice of any person or celebrity. Create cut-out apples with construction paper and the stick tape to the back. Make sure to also provide a blindfold for guests to play this game. Have them spin around and then try to place the apple closest to the mouth of the teacher on the poster. Award large prizes such as the notebooks, backpacks or day planners to the winners of the game.

5. Set up a buffet style area for the food. Decorate with your school colors for the tablecloth and streamers. Create old school peanut butter bars to serve to your guests (see Resources).

6. Welcome guests as they arrive. Have them begin to play games first. Introduce them to the snack area afterward so they can help themselves to pizza, juice boxes and other party snacks. Have guests make their plate and go to their seats and eat. After guests eat they can play more games, dance and mingle. Make sure to distribute all prizes before guests go home.

7. Play music on the stereo so that the guests can dance and listen to music while enjoying the party.

Tips & Warnings

• This party can be expensive so ask parents and teachers to donate supplies if you need to. You can substitute some school supplies for healthy candy or treats.

• Be creative in using other party games to make the party more lively.

• For the piñata, do not use a wooden or steel bat.

Resources

• Kidz Bop Music
• Peanut Butter Bar Recipe
• Oriental Trading