I think an ornament would be an excellent idea. However, if you decide to go with holiday cookies (or Gingerbread people), it's really not too difficult for that age.

For several years straight, starting in pre-school, I brought all the supplies to my child's class for either Christmas or valentine cookies. For Christmas, their party usually consisted of refreshments, plus 4 or 5 crafts. Each table held about 6 kids with an adult volunteer or two. The kids rotated tables. Or if cookies were the only activity, they spread out into table groups.

The secret is disposable everything! For cookies, I'd bake enough shaped sugar cookies for each child to do 5 or 6. Plus I'd bring a HUGE bowl of white icing. We used disposable plastic table cloths and then a piece of fresh copy paper as a placemat. (Easy to replace when it got too messy.) I'd bring gallon-size plastic bags and styrofoam plates that were dinner sized, but would slip inside the plastic bag. (Very important to test). Mark the child's name ON TOP of the plate (on the edge) and put aside in a finishing area. As they complete their cookies, they go onto their own plate to dry. At the end of the day, theses are slipped plate and all into the bags for easier transport. (Tell the kids to still hold the plate flat, but at least their car will be protected, and if they do tip the plate, the cookies don't end up on the ground.)

I had all kinds of sugar glitter and sprinkles. We used dixie cups on each table to hold M&M's, chocolate chips, and other decorator bits. We used disposable plastic bowls at each table to hold a reasonable portion of icing. The adult volunteer would help the kids mix colors, so there would be 3 or 4 bowls which they would share and pass around. Plastic knives to spread the frosting.

If the classroom doesn't have a sink in it, bring a big bucket to be filled with soapy dishwater for quick hand cleaning.

At the end, the tables will be a mess. But just pick out any decoratioins you want to save and then bundle up the the plastic cloths and trow it ALL away.

By the way - I bought a lot of the supplies, including sugar glitter, at the dollar store.

Good luck!

If You Are Wanting To Do A Craft W/ The Hot Chocalate You Could Make Christmas Ornaments ... Their Parents Would Be Happy To Hang An Ornament On The Tree Ecpesially If It Was An Award For Being Good!!! Or You Could Make Snowmen Smores It Would Be Something Very Easy/fast And They Could Eat Them W/ Their Hot Chocalate. I Hope This Helps ...i Wish You Luck:)

~harmony~;139299 wrote: How Many Children Do You Usually Have? Do They All Come And Do The Activity At Once?

We usually have around 100 children. The kids usually come done by grade, but the teachers will send them how we request. We are a one deep school except for 1st grade that is two deep...

How Many Children Do You Usually Have? Do They All Come And Do The Activity At Once?

Our PTO sponsors a monthly behavior incentive program called a beehive (our mascot is a bumblebee). Some of the things we have done in the past include a store, ice cream sundaes, game time, extra recess, snowcones, etc... The kids are getting tired of the same old stuff so I'm looking for some new fresh ideas, for example at the end of last school year we did "Sandy Candy" and last month Rita's Italian Ice. We are a small school with a small budget so we can't get too extravagent, but for Dec. I would love to do something "Christmas" themed. I thought about letting the kids decorate their own gingerbread man, but sounds too messy for K and 1st. I thought about pairing something with hot chocolate, but what?? We don't have a movie license so we can't show a Christmas movie. Does anyone have any ideas for me (Chrismas or non Christmas)??? I'd appreciate any comments!!!