Water Bottle Teacher Gifts

I made personalized water bottles for our End of the Year teacher gifts this year!  I bought the water bottles at the Dollar Tree and simply added a white vinyl initial and a gift tag.  For the middle school teachers, I added white crinkle cut shredded paper and a variety of powdered drink mixes too!  I used a couple of different tags depending on who the water bottle was for.  The "Thanks for going the extra mile!" bus driver tag can be found HERE.  The "It's so refreshing to have a great teacher like you!" tag can be found HERE.  The "My cup runneth over" tag can be found HERE.  I love a cute and practical gift!

Willy Wonka End of the Year Party

I LOVED this Willy Wonka End of the Year Party!  It was SO much fun!  The teacher read the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl to the class in the month leading up to the party.  Plus, they watched the original movie in the morning before the party, so the kids knew all about it and were so excited about each station!  Here is what we did!

Decorations:
I made a banner that said "Factory" with my Silhouette and hung it between the classroom doors.  The font I used is called "WillyWonka".  Then, we hung purple streamers from the doorway to make it feel like the kids were entering the chocolate factory when they went in the classroom!  I also made "candy" from colored plastic plates wrapped in cellophane.  So cute!

Set-up:
We had 10 stations to do!  Instead of doing all 10 at once, we decided to set up 5 stations at a time so that there would be 4-5 kids at each station.  So, we set up and did the first 5 stations and then set up again to do the second 5 stations.

To divide the kids into groups, I made golden tickets!  Each golden ticket was coded with an "A", "B", "C", "D", or "E".  I randomly handed out the tickets and then the 5 kids holding a ticket with an "A" on it were in one group and so on...  This was a fair way to divide into groups and helped break up some of the kids that can be a handful when they are all together, especially at a party!  Plus the kids loved having a Golden Ticket to keep!  You can download the Golden Tickets HERE.  To make changes to the time and date paragraph, you can add a text box over mine and insert your own text.  I used "HelloBigSky" font in size 10 for this paragraph.  I added the letters for the groups and printed the tickets on gold vellum.

Games:
The games were the best part! Here is all 10!  You can download the place cards with instructions to put at each station: Page 1 HERE, Page 2 HERE, & Page 3 HERE.  Print on cardstock, trim inside black lines, & fold in half.  This is what they look like:

1. Violet's Bubble Blow: Chew a piece of gum.  Can you blow a bubble?  Who can blow the biggest bubble?  Who can make the loudest pop? 
   
2. The Chocolate Room: Put Hershey's syrup on a plastic plate that has been taped to the table.  See who can lick the chocolate river off the plate first without using their hands. 
   
3. The Inventing Room: Who can get their Gobstopper the smallest without biting it? 
   
4. Golden Ticket Challenge: How many cheese balls can you put in your mouth and still say "I've got the Golden Ticket!"? 
   
5. Charlie's Fizzy Lifting Drink: Give each child a gulp of Coca-Cola.  Can you burp?  Who can burp the loudest?  Who can burp the longest? 
   
6. Veruca's Egg Find: Fill a large bucket with plastic Easter eggs.  Inside one egg place a piece of paper that says "Good Egg".  Who can find the egg with the paper inside? 
   
7. The Augustus Gobble: Hang a mini doughnut from a string attached to a pole.  Who can finish their doughnut first without using their hands? (this was my favorite game!)  
   
8. Mike's Taffy Pull: Give each child a piece of Laffy Taffy.  Who can stretch their taffy the longest distance? (This game took patience.  The kids had to warm up the taffy in their hands and then slowly stretch or roll it.  I wondered if Air Heads would work better?)
   
9. Oompa Loompa Waddle: Waddle with a purple balloon between your legs to the finish line.  Then pop "Violet" without using your hands. 
   
10. Willy Wonka Hat Toss:  Who can get the most pieces of candy into Willy Wonka's purple hat? (I got this hat from Amazon.)  
    

Food:

We didn't have any additional food since there is so much food involved in the party already!   However, I found these cute ideas online and will pass them on just in case: a chocolate fountain with lots of dippers, ice cream sundaes with lots of candy toppings, and a fizzy lifting drink made from soda, pop rocks, and sour candy straws!  We did have waters with Twizzler straws that the kids loved!  (Also, parents sent in popcorn and juice boxes for the kids to have while they watched the movie in the morning.)

Favors:
Favors are completely unnecessary at an end of the year party but I just couldn't resist!  This counted as our end of the year classmate gift and included, of course, a bunch of Willy Wonka candy!  I put Gobstoppers, Fun Dip, Pixie Sticks, Laffy Taffy, purple sucker, Bottle Caps, SweeTarts, and Nerds in a purple bag and sealed them with gold washi tape.  I attached a tag that said "Hope your summer is SWEET!"  You can download the tags HERE.

Smart Cookies End of the Year Party

We had a fun Smart Cookies End of the Year Party for my 2nd grader's class!  It was so cute and they had a blast!

I made a "Smart Cookies" banner with brown and white stripe triangles and blue letters in "andrea karime" font.

We had chocolate and white milk in milk bottles that I found at Target.  I designed labels for the milk bottles, printed them on sticker paper, cut them out with a 2" punch, and put them on the bottles.  You can download the labels HERE.

We had chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, oreos, double doozie cookies, and more!  I made the double doozie cookies by dipping sugar cookies in blue sugar before cooking.  Then, I spread icing between 2 cooled sugar cookies.  I made tags for the tops of these cookies and attached them to halved decorative paper straws.  You can download the tags HERE.

We let them get 5 cookies to start and then packed up leftover cookies in bags for the kids to take home.  And, of course, I made labels for the bags too!  You can download the labels HERE.

We had 4 stations with games:
1) Pin the chocolate chip on the cookie - for this game, I traced a large cookie shape onto light brown poster board, cut it out, drew an "X" in the middle of the cookie, & had it laminated.  I attached it to a large piece of foam board.  Then, I used my 1/2" circle punch to cut out dark brown cardstock circles to use as the chips.  I wrote each child's name on the chips so we could see who had come the closest at the end of the game!  I also attached a photo square to the back to make the chips stick to the cookie.  I blindfolded the kids, spun them around, and then had them stick their chip to the cookie.  Whoever came closest to the "X" won!

2) Cookie match game - for this game, I cut out the different color sugar cookies and laminated them.  Then, the kids teamed up to see who could win at Memory!  You can download the game HERE.

3) Cookie frisbee - for this game, I got 4 small frisbees at Party City.  I printed 4 cookies on sticker paper, cut them out with a 2.5" punch, and attached them to the frisbee.  Then, the kids took turns trying to land their cookie frisbees on a small cookie sheet!  You can download the cookie printable HERE.

4) Cookie hot potato - for this game, I purchased a stuffed cookie from Amazon.  (It's actually a pouch.  See HERE).  The kids passed it around until a parent said "stop!".  The child holding the cookie was "out".  Repeat until there is only 1 child left standing!

The kids loved eating all of the cookies and playing all of the games!

2015 Teacher Gifts

These are all the teacher gifts I did at the end of this year.  Everyone really enjoyed them!

As the room mom, I always take up money for a gift card for the teacher, but I also like to do a little something sentimental too!  This year, I bound together a book the kids had made and also created a When I Grow Up picture collage!  

For the book, I had the kids fill out a form with questions and draw a picture.  Then, I made a cover and laminated each page.  I used the school's binding machine to put it all together (although a copy store could do this too).  It turned out so cute!  You can download the form HERE. 

For the When I Grow up picture, I took a picture of each child holding a chalkboard sign that said what they wanted to be when they grow up.  I created a Shutterfly poster and input all of the pictures.  The writing part was a bit complicated because I couldn't just insert a text box.  Instead, I had to create pictures with the words I wanted and input them into the poster.  There has to be an easier way, but I'm not sure what it is!  I framed the poster and it was adorable anyway! 

For our administrators and other teachers, I made coasters that they could use at their desks!  Coasters are really easy to make and I love this cute scrapbook paper!  The supplies you'll need are: plain white 4x4" tiles (found at Lowe's), scrapbook paper, cork roll with adhesive (found at Hobby Lobby), Mod Podge, clear polyurethane, & a paper trimmer or scissors.  

1. Cut scrapbook paper into 4x4" squares.
2. Apply Mod Podge to the back of scrapbook paper and the top of the tile.  Place scrapbook paper on top of tile.  Let dry.
3. Apply Mod Podge to the top of the scrapbook paper on the tile.  Let dry completely.
4. Paint a coat of polyurethane to the top of the scrapbook paper on the tile.  Let dry.
5. Cut cork into 4x4" squares and adhere to the back of the tile.

I wrapped each coaster in tulle & attached a tag that said "Hope you 'coast' through the summer!"  You can download the tags HERE.  The teachers loved these!

For our custodians and cafeteria workers, I made brownies, placed them on star shaped dishes (found at Dollar Tree), & attached a cute tag!  You can print the tag HERE.

My kids love handing out gifts to everyone at our school and personally telling them "Thank you!" for a great year!

End of Year Balloon Party

I am doing a "Balloon" themed End of the Year Party for my third grader's class and am so excited!

For decorations, we will have balloons (obviously!), balloon topiaries (instructions HERE), and a banner that says "Up & Away to OMIS" (our kids go to a different school for 4th grade).  For the banner, I cut aqua, green, and yellow cardstock with my Silhouette using the "6 banner set" rounded shape.  I cut orange cardstock with my Silhouette using "Blueberry" font.  I also cut balloons out of all 4 colors.  I attached 3 balloons to each of the banner shapes that were used for spaces between the words.  I attached the orange letters, laminated each banner piece, and thread with orange tulle.  I used puffy paint to make the balloon strings and let dry.  Cute!

For food, we had drinks, cheese puff balls, grapes, and cupcakes.  We also had popsicles for after the games.  For the cupcakes, I used these cute Wilton cupcake liners with orange, yellow, green, & aqua polka dots.  I made cupcake toppers by cutting these fun aqua straws in half and attaching some more cardstock balloons.  Fun!

Now, to the best part, games!

1. Balloon Pop - this is a relay race where the kids pop balloons with their bottoms!
2. Balloon Bop - the kids get into a circle with the teacher in the middle.  The teacher tosses a balloon in the air and calls out a student's name and a body part.  The right student has to keep the balloon afloat by hitting the balloon with that body part.  If the balloon falls or the student uses the wrong body part, then they are "out".
3. Water Balloon Toss - the kids get into pairs and toss a water balloon back and forth.  If the balloon doesn't break, then the kids take a step back and do it again.  If the water balloon breaks, then they are "out".  The last pair standing wins!
4. Water Balloon Hot Potato - the kids get in a circle and pass a water balloon around.  If the water balloon breaks or if a kid is holding the balloon when the music stops, then they are "out".
5. Water Balloon IT - in this game, one kid is "IT" (I used the winner of the hot potato game as "IT") and stands on a side of the field by himself.  All the other kids stand on the other side of the field.  When "IT" hits someone on the other side with a water balloon, then they join the "IT" side and help him until everyone is on the same side!
6. Water Balloon Fight - this is a free-for-all with water balloons!

For the games, I used jump ropes to make 2 lines on the field that the kids weren't supposed to cross and I also told them to aim for shoulders and below (not heads!)  Also, I HIGHLY recommend the "tie-not" tool to make all the water balloons!  It was a great party!  The kids had a blast!

Tissue Paper Art Initials for Teachers

I made these initials for our teachers with the help of the kids!

I found these large wooden letters at Hobby Lobby.  I painted the backs and sides of the letters light pink (Americana Poodleskirt Pink acrylic paint).

The kids helped by making tissue paper art.  I gave them a 4x6" piece of white cardstock on top of a paper plate & paper towels.  The kids then placed tissue paper squares on the cardstock in whatever pattern they wanted.  Then, I sprayed the tissue paper with a mixture of half water and half vinegar.

Let the paper dry completely then peel off the tissue paper.  This results in cardstock with pretty pastel colors. (I found that the red, orange, and light pink tissue paper did not bleed onto the cardstock for some reason.  So, the cardstock was simply white where these colors were used.)  Here is the tissue paper cardstock we created:

Next, I cut all of the 4x6" cardstock into 6 2" cubes.  I brushed Mod Podge onto the front of the letter and onto the back of the cardstock cubes.  I placed the cubes all over the letter, not worrying about the edges.
I let this dry then used an X Acto knife to cut around the edges of the letter to trim off the excess cardstock.

I added another layer of Mod Podge over the top and let dry.  I glued pretty pink ribbon to the back of the letter to finish it off!I added the school name and year to the back of the letters as well.  These are so pretty and I loved that the kids had a part in making them!

End of Year Gifts for Classmates

My kindergartener is so silly and loves a good mustache.  When I found these at Party City, I thought they would be perfect for End of the Year gifts!  I simply attached the tag with some double sided tape to the package.  You can download the tag HERE, print on cardstock, & cut out with 2" circle punch (PS I always try to leave room on the tag for your child to add their name).

We are doing a "balloon" themed party in my 3rd Grader's class, so I got them Punch Balloons for their End of the Year gifts.  I put the balloons in 4x6" jewelry bags and added the tag with double sided tape.  You can download the tag HERE, print on cardstock, & cut out with 2" circle punch.  Just a little something to say "Happy Summer!"

Ice Cream End of Year Party

We are having an End of the Year Ice Cream Party!!  We are going to make ice cream sundaes and play ice cream-themed games.  I know the kids will LOVE it!  Here's my plan:

• Ice Cream Sundaes with chocolate, vanilla, and birthday cake ice cream plus lots of toppings!  (sprinkles, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, cherries, crushed Oreos, crushed chocolate chip cookies, m&m's, whipped cream, & marshmallows).  Don't forget bowls, spoons, napkins, and drinks! 
• I am going to have 5 stations for the kids to rotate through:

1. Making popsicle bookmarks.  I cut the popsicles out using my Silhouette and used "AntigoniBd" font for "Reading is SWEET!"  I cut many different colors for the back of the bookmark & white for the front of the bookmark.  The kids will pick what color they want on the back of the bookmark, attach the front and back together, decorate the white front side, and then attach a craft stick.

2. Playing cone popper game.  I got these poppers at Party City.  The kids will try to pop the ball into a bucket. 

3. Playing hot potato with a stuffed ice cream cone (ordered from AMAZON).

4. Playing pin the cherry on the ice cream cone.  I made this cone and ice cream with my Silhouette.  Then I laminated the pieces and attached them to a foam board.  I made cherries with my 1" circle punch and put a photo square on the back.  The kids will write their name on their cherry, get blindfolded, spin around, & then try to place the cherry on the top!  At the end, we'll be able to see who got the closest!

5. Playing balloon cone toss.  Make the cones with thin poster board.  Blow up balloons to fit inside.  The kids will throw the balloons to one another and try to catch the balloon in the cone.

• At the end, we'll play Freeze Dance (get it, FREEZE?)
• And, if I'm feeling brave & we have time, we'll play a game where the kids have to find a cherry buried in whipped cream with their hands behind their backs!  I think the pictures from this game would be so funny!  (P.S. we did play this game and it was SOOOO fun!  I got a plastic drop cloth to protect the floor but you probably want to check with your teacher before doing this one!  We lined up 4 desks and had 4 kids play at a time.  We put the cherry on a paper plate and covered it with whipped cream.  Then, the kids had to find the cherry without using their hands.  It was awesome!)
  

• Kids' gifts:  "Hope your summer is sweet!" favor with ice cream chalk and candy (see POST HERE)
• Teacher gifts:  We are having a mini baby shower at the End of the Year party for our teacher too!  We'll have a cake, small baby toys/gifts from everyone, and a book offering baby advice from the kids!  We are also giving her a gift card to a local mall that has a baby store and a Shutterfly photo book filled with pictures from throughout the year.  I think she'll love it all!
• Each class is assigned a school extra (like a classroom aide, custodian, extra teacher...).  For her, we have a cooler filled with stuff for summer fun!  Things included are a beach towel, bookmarks, cute cup, lemonade, umbrella picks, bookmarks, mini fans, ice cream scoop, pool float, pedicure kit, sleep mask, flipflop tray, citronella candle, sunglass clip, headphones, shaped ice cubes, magazines, sunscreen, chapstick, and a koozie. 
  

I'm so excited to top the year off with a super fun party for these kiddos!!