8 Virtual Holiday Classroom Party Ideas

Tomorrow is the last day with kids (remotely) before we depart for our winter break.  Typically, when our learning mode is in-person, it is a day filled with Christmas caroling (other school's visit us), holiday sing-a-longs, festive art projects, seasonal games, yummy treats....ohhhh and a splash of learning (Ha!).  I sure am going to miss the sights, sounds and smells this year....

Since school began, we have been hitting the ground running.  When our district switched to fully remote, we didn't take our foot off the gas of academics.  We have been teaching, teaching, teaching......so I think it is high time I gave my students a little break.  Tomorrow I plan to spend some of our zoom times doing something a little merry!  

Check out the ideas below (that require little to no prep), if you want to plan something merry too! 

1. Directed Drawings: Share your screen and play a video that walks students (step by step) on how to draw seasonal sights.  Some of my favorite directed drawings are by Whimsy Workshop Teaching  and One Fab Teacher. 

2. Zoom in/Zoom Out Game: Create a Powerpoint or Google Slides presentation of various festive images.  Share your screen zoomed really far in on the image.  Gradually zoom out and have students guess what the image is. 

3. Charades: Send students a private message in Zoom, and have them act out a holiday item, movie or song!

4. Pictionary: Send students a private message in Zoom, and have them draw a holiday item, movie or song.  Students could use the whiteboard feature on zoom, or just grab a piece of paper and pencil!.

5. Read-A-Louds: Who doesn't love a good story read aloud to them?  Pick one of your favorite holiday books and share it with your class.  If you don't have any good holiday books on hand, check out Storyline Online which has celebrities read popular book titles.  There are some great holiday books on their website!  You can also find A LOT of read alouds on YouTube!

6. Christmas Movies:  Share your screen and play a quick Chirstmas cartoon or short movie!  There are lots of great options on multiple streaming sites.  Make sure to not violate any copyright laws! :) 

7. Holiday snack time:  Have students bring their favorite snack or drink to the zoom.  Or maybe you want it to be more specific, like a popcorn party.  Maybe a hot cocoa party?  Munching while working is always fun!

8. Scavenger Hunt: This idea is a bit more engaging and interactive, but also super easy!  Create a list of household items most students would have in their homes.  During your zoom class call or show an item on the screen to see who can find it the fastest.  You can show/say the items one at a time, or give them the whole list all at once. 

While I know these ideas aren't the holiday party we all want or are used to, they are still fun and memorable for the kids.  So enjoy your time and Merry Christmas!