100 days.
Somewhere, in the midst of all these snow days, we passed the 100th day of school (how come it’s felt much longer than that?). I had no idea that when you reached 100 days of school, it was a holiday and you had a party. What you learn in elementary school!
This year, I’m a room parent for the each of my children’s classes (not my wisest decision–thank goodness I have co-room parents who are great). Thanks to these roles, I now understand that the 100th day of school is serious business. For my son’s first grade class, I signed up in September (around day 10) to plan a 100 days event, which is now (or sometime around now). Due to all of the snow we’ve been having in the Northeast, our 100 days party is being combined with a Valentine’s Day party (of course, this begs the really important question: why are there so many parties in first grade?).
To get ready for 100 days, I made, as you do in 2015 when you know a thing or two about a social media, a Pinterest board. Putting together this board made me realize (a) I could never be an elementary school teacher (I am not creative enough), and (b) Pinterest is a time suck (but a very fun time suck).
If you’re planning a 100 day party for your child’s class, check out these ideas below. (These ideas also come in handy if you’re fearing another snow day and are looking for something to keep the kids occupied.)
Color by Code Counting Exercise
100 Day Activity Roundups:
From pinwheels and paper chains to gumballs and crowns
I wish the ideas I found were more about service: have everyone bring in 100 pennies and buy an animal for a family in need through Heifer International, or spend 100 minutes doing a service project for the school community. Something where our kids learn that the time that is being spent on art projects that they likely won’t remember in a few months can also be spent in service to others–a lesson that can last much longer than 100 days or minutes.
If you have 100 day of school activities–service, art, fun, or whatever–that you love (or maybe just like), let me know in the comments. We parents have to stick together.
Happy 100 days!
Max made a poster where he wrote each Roman numeral up to 100 in a giant spiral. Hannah, once upon a time, made a 100 bead necklace. Thankfully, 100 days stops being exciting after 1st grade at our school!
Go Max – I LOVE that idea! Happy 100 days!
This is your chance! Put together a list of activities for turning the 100th day celebration into a service project. I’d much rather see people collect 100 pennies for a good cause than turn perfectly good food/objects into an art project (and a parental headache at home) that you immediately throw away. We also seem to have past the 100 day “joy” after 1st grade.
Thanks for the encouragement, Christy! And for the tip that this “holiday” ends after 1st grade (thank goodness!)
My boys had their 100th day yesterday. My oldest is in 5th grade, so they don’t do anything anymore, but my little one in 2nd grade came home with a crown and all kinds of activities from class.
Hope they enjoyed their celebrations, Robin! Thanks for reading.
I love the 100 seconds idea! I think my kids made necklaces with 100 Cheerios when they were in kindergarten (or was it Froot Loops?). Thankfully, the 100 Days thing didn’t continue into the later grades.
Those are great ideas, Annemarie – thanks for sharing them!
How fun! I passed on your ideas to our teacher. We celebrated 100 days yesterday with fun number games.
Thanks, Divina! And, thanks for stopping by!
There is a 100 Days of School book that I used to read to my kids and loved it! I would be great for a 100 Days of School party too.
Thanks for the book suggestion, Scarlet. I love any and all times we read with and to our kids!
Some days I’m really sad I teach high schoolers and not little kids because I want a party to celebrate 100 days! That’s more than half done!
Owen’s 100th day keeps getting pushed back, but the project is due next week. I have a 100 Day Board on Pinterest! So many cute ideas over the years though from teaching – some are so creative!
Oh, I like the 100 pennies idea…what a way to give back!
I Love your community idea for 100 days of school project. I think my daughter missed hers while in Florida. I think she was happier swimming and being outside last week.
I remember the 100th day well! Such a nice combination of learning and fun. I remember my kids bringing in 100 of something special. Toothpicks and Lego pieces were brought in. So many creative ideas here!