JillyDod writes: "I am a room mother for my daughter's fifth grade class. I need some help with any game or activity ideas for this age group. Things just aren't as fun for them as they used to be. The theme we have to use is Pumpkins."
Suzie Kekauoha writes: "I have an annual Harvest party at my home for my friends and family. It’s a celebration of autumn more than a substitute Halloween party, but I have an old-fashioned party with bobbing for apples; a donut-eating contest (donuts are tied and hung on a ribbon and the children have to eat their donuts as quickly as possible with their hands behind their backs - powdered donuts are best); we have a very large, ornate jar filled with gumballs, and the children have to guess how many are in the jar (the winner gets the jar and gumballs. We also roast weenies and make s’mores in the fire pit. We usually get a pinata as well, and this year we’ll be adding the “limbo” to the festivities.
My parties are filled with homemade caramel apples, homemade caramel corn, a pumpkin shaped spice cake, nachos, warm apple cider and coffee for the adults. No alcohol is served. I state on the invitations that this party is for the kids. I do have it at night however, and I put mason jars half filled with candy corn and topped with a votive candle all around my swimming pool for a beautiful autumn display. The kids and parents always enjoy themselves, and I get the same questions every September, “Are you having your harvest party this year? Don’t forget to invite us!”
Susan973 writes: "Last year, my daughter's class had a great time with this game. Divide the class evenly into 2 teams; each team gets a piece of long yarn or rope with a clothespin attached to the end of it and the kids have to "sew" themselves together by threading the yarn through the sleeves of their shirts and then unthreading themselves the same way. The team that finishs first, wins. Usually, no one cares because they are all laughing so hard. At our school, there is no Halloween, only fall harvest so it can get difficult."
ReasontoParty writes: "Hi! I have a few ideas that may be of help to you:
Pumpkin Rolling Contest- Divide the children into two teams. Have a start line and turnaround line, 20 feet apart. Have the first child in each line roll a pumpkin from the start line, to the turnaround line and back to the next person on their team. The first team to have everyone play wins!
Pumpkin Painting - Give each child their own pumpking to paint. This works well with paint pens or sharpie markers. Both dry quickly too.
Ring The Pumpkin - Line up three large pumpkins with stems, to form a ring toss. Use embroidery hoops or make hoops with rope and duct tape. Mark a throwing line on the floor and take turns trying to ring a pumpkin stem. Use stickers or small prizes for rewards whether they make it or not. Or you can have them try to ring an entire large pumpkin with a hula hoop.
Pumpkin Seed Toss - Number and line up 5 small baskets or crates; then have the children stand 3 feet in front of the first crate and toss seeds into the crates in sequence. Small prizes can be given for each of the crates they get their seeds in.
How many seeds? Fill a clear jar with pumpkin seeds ahead of the party (be sure to count them as you put them inside). Have each student write down their name and their guess on a slip of paper. Whomever comes closest wins a small prize.
Food Ideas
Pumpkin Punch - Clean out a pumpkin and scrape sides very well. Fill with vanilla ice cream and ginger ale.
Use cookie cutters to make pumpkin shapes in sugar cookies. These can be done ahead of time and served as treats, or allow the kids to ice and decorate them (with black licorice for eyes, nose, etc).
Mini Pumpkin pies - place a wafer cookie in the bottom of a cupcake paper, fill with pumpkin filling, top with miniature marshmallows and bake for 10-15 minutes."
