Fall evokes cozy feelings of warmth and light as we gather around traditions and comfort. The days grow cooler and shorter. We welcome the change with cozy blankets, flickering scented candles, flavors of spiced apple and pumpkin, and an appreciation for the surrounding nature transformed. Capture those cozy feelings with your children by planning a Homeschool Welcome Fall Party.
Homeschool “Welcome Fall” Party Planning Session
Planning a party is half the fun! Give your children the opportunity to participate in the process by sharing their ideas and problem solving the execution of those ideas. This isn’t a production that you, the parent, must put on for your children’s entertainment. This is a moment for you to teach your children how to find enjoyment in the fall season and create traditions to share with friends and family.
Practical Life Skills Opportunity
Party planning creates opportunities for children to learn practical life skills. How to:
- organize a party
- research recipes and make a grocery list
- make lists of games, activities, and crafts- then narrow down those choices
- prepare items the day before the party for uninterrupted fun
- organize details and materials
The Elementary “Plane of Development”
Elementary children, ages 6-12, are in the stage of development where they want to explore the world and their place in it. Children at this age have a keen interest in social activities and enjoy organizing themselves and making independent decisions.
Maria Montessori said of elementary children in her book To Educate the Human Potential:
“Education between the ages of six to twelve is not a direct continuation of that which has gone before, though it is built upon that basis. Psychologically there is a decided change in personality, and we recognize that nature has made this a period for the acquisition of culture, just as the former was for the absorption of the environment.”
“We are confronted with a considerable development of consciousness that has already taken place, but now that consciousness is thrown outwards with a special direction, intelligence being extroverted, and there is an unusual demand on the part of the child to know the reasons for things.”
“Yet a third interesting fact to be observed in the child of six is his need to associate himself with others, not merely for the sake of company, but in some sort of organized activity. He likes to mix with others in a group wherein each has a different status. A leader is chosen, and is obeyed, and a strong group is formed. This is a natural tendency, through which mankind becomes organized.”
The social organization required to plan a party entices children. They have a vested interest in the outcome and pride themselves on their accomplishment. True, they need guidance and help with problem solving, but they gain invaluable skills needed to function and thrive socially, culturally, and with strong executive functioning skills.
Start with Lists
Initially, schedule a 15-minute homeschool planning session where you begin several lists for each party category:
- Food Recipes
- Games and Activities
- Arts and Crafts
- Decorations
Follow-up over the next few days with short planning sessions (15-30 minutes) to fine tune each category.
Check out our Homeschool Welcome Fall Party Pinterest Board for the Nature Art and Leaf Lantern project as well as many more awesome ideas!
Food
List food ideas for breakfast, snack, and lunch. Start a Pinterest Board or look through cookbooks for ideas. Write them on a paper list with a note for where to find the recipe.
Next, narrow down ideas by looking more closely at ingredients and the amount of work required to make the food.
Lastly, make a grocery list of ingredients and go shopping.
Food Ideas
- Pumpkin waffles
- Pumpkin chai soup
- Pumpkin spice Chex mix
- Homemade apple sauce
Games and Activities
Create a fall party games Pinterest board and start searching for inspiration. Write your favorites down on paper.
Next, narrow down your choices to 2 or 3 favorites.
Finally, list any equipment or preparation that you will need for the games and activities.
Game and Activity Ideas
- Nature walk (collect nature for art project)
- Bobbing for apples (use apples for apple sauce)
- Cornhole
Arts and Crafts
Create a fall arts and crafts Pinterest board and start searching for inspiration. Write your favorites down on paper.
Next, narrow down your choices to 2 or 3 favorites.
Finally, list any materials needed. Shop for art and craft items you don’t already have in your supply.
Arts and Crafts Ideas
- Nature art (made with leaves and flowers from a nature walk)
- Homemade fall decorations (glass jar lanterns)
- FREE Leaf Templates from First Palette
Decorations and Music
This is the perfect time to do the fall decorating you normally do with your family. Yet, another benefit of homeschooling! Decorate with fall leaves, hay bales, pumpkins and gourds. Alternatively, make your own decorations as one of your crafts.
Find a fall ambiance YouTube video for atmosphere or play some music everyone enjoys.
The Day Before Your Homeschool Welcome Fall Party
The day (or two) before your homeschool welcome fall party should be devoted to preparation so you can simply enjoy all the fun together. Involve your children in the preparation and pre setup. It will build the anticipation for the party day!
Food
- Prepare ingredients. Precook and prebake what you can.
- Create food “stations”. Set out cookware like a waffle iron, crockpot, bowls for mixing, etc. in “stations” around your kitchen for quick food prep on the day of the party. Place any non-refrigerated food items near each station. For example, a dry waffle mix next to the waffle iron, mixing bowl, and oil spray. Add the wet ingredients the next morning and get cooking!
- Thaw any frozen food items in the fridge.
Games and Activities
Gather equipment for games and activities and place them in the area they belong for quick set up the next day.
Arts and Crafts
Gather all materials in a plastic tub, arranged on a shelf, or organized by project.
To Schedule, or Not To Schedule
Decide together if you want a written homeschool welcome fall party schedule or not. Do you want to plan the order of events, or do you want to meander through the day at a relaxed pace and just enjoy yourselves? Whichever you decide, it will be an epic homeschool welcome fall party!