Back to School Potluck and Swap

I don't know about you but I loath back to school shopping.  Before you get a school supply list from the teachers you decide to make your own.  Hey we all went to school supplies haven't changed that much in the past 20 years. So you check the ads, find the deals, go to your local store, and find everything you want is gone or costs way more than advertised.  So you buy a bunch of stuff and hope you have everything that your child wants or needs.  Then the first day of school the teacher sends home a supply list that is completely different from what you purchased and you have to go back to the store and buy more stuff.  To add insult to injury, your child hates the backpack and folders you bought because cute little kitties are no longer cool, so you grab another backpack and folders. Worst of all at  the end of the school year you discover 1/2 of the school supplies you purchased are still in the bag and you have unused backpacks and folders lying around and you end up giving or throwing it all away.  The crazy thing is we go out the next year and do it all over again. I say try something different, a Back to School Potluck and Swap Meet.

 So let's get started.

1) Set the Date-One or 2 weeks after the first day of school would be great. As an educator I can guarantee your child can survive on the basics of paper, pencils, pens, and what they had left over from the previous year for a week or two. 

2) Invite the guest- call, Evite, or Facebook invite, if you mail invitations, be creative make them look like old fashioned hall passes. Be sure to send the Swap rules with the invitations. (see below)

3) Ask the guest to bring extra school supplies, backpacks, clean uniforms, clothes, shoes, and even instruments for the swap.  Ask guest to turn in an inventory of what they will be bringing at least 1 week ahead of time.  All items should be dropped off at least 2 days ahead of time.  Have each participant sign a copy of the rules when they drop off their items.

4) Plan the menu-Assign each guest a school lunch item to bring (pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, beans, spaghetti, chicken, etc.) Be sure everyone is bring something different.

5) Assign items a point value (shirts- 5 points, 10 pencils-1 point, french horn 1000 points, etc.)  

6) Set up the Swap store.  Sort all items as you would see them in a retail store.  Sort clothes by size and style. 

7) On the day of the Swap each family should be given Swap Money (make it on your computer) equal to the points for what they have contributed to the Swap store.  

8) Set up a check out area and let the shopping begin.

9) While the shopping is going on have random games and contests for extra points.  (musical chairs, hula hoop, minute to win it games, etc.)

10) When the time for shopping is over everyone can enjoy all of the food served on lunch trays of course.

SWAP RULES

1) All items contributed to the Swap are no longer yours.  

2) No actual money can be exchanged at the Swap.

3) All items left at the end of the Swap will be given to charity or a local school.  This includes musical instruments and electronics. 

Bonus-The party can also run as a traditional Swap meet with everyone running their own table.  You would skip the inventory and drop off in step #3 and steps #5-9. There still should not be an exchange of money at any of the tables.  All participants will have to have their tables set up prior to the Swap.  Late arrivals should not be allowed to participate. You can still have games but not for shopping points. 

This party works for Christmas shopping also. 

Olympic Party

Even though the Olympic Games are coming to a close they will be on our minds for months to come.  Let's tap into the dreams, hopes, and imaginations of our children and have an Olympic Party.  This party can be for a birthday, cookout, fall festival, block party, or just because. Get the whole family and neighborhood involved even the pets. 

1) Guest- Your games will need to include everyone invited. Assign team colors and ask the guests to dress in their team colors.

2) Games- Use summer games for inspiration but be creative too. See suggested games below or check out Minute to Win It for games.

3) Menu- High energy refreshing snacks. Lots of water- plain and flavored with fresh fruit and herbs. Cut costs by asking each team to bring something to share.

3) Set a schedule. Send it out with the invitations.  Get every excited about being on time so they do not miss anything.  You also want your guest to be prepared to play. Trying to ride a bike in a skirt is no fun.

4) Flags- Cut a white sheet or piece of material into flag size rectangles (use pinking shears to prevent fray) provide blank flags and fabric markers to teams so they can create a flag before the games begin. If your teams are going to be divided by families cut costs by having them make and bring a flag with them.  The flags will be used for the Parade of Nations to start and finish the games. 

Suggested Games

Triathlon-run backward around the yard, jump rope 10 times, and 1 leg long jump.

3 legged dash- tie one adult to one child and have them race to the finish

Pop Star- provide dress up costumes and have teams compete to see who can do the best pop performance. ( Not really a contest but a great way to start or end your games.)

Water Ballon or Egg Toss- Two people from each team line up across from each other and toss the ballon/egg back and forth moving further apart after each toss.  If the ballon/egg is dropped the team is out.  The play continues until one team remains.

Stroller  Dash or Dog Run- take the baby or dog on a run around the block

Suggested Snacks

Granola
Raisins
Fruit - Bananas, Watermelon, Frozen Grapes and Berries are very refreshing.
Nuts
Trail Mix