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It used to be that one of the best parts about sending our kids to school were all the celebrations built into the school year and academic calendar. You may be wondering how distance learning will affect how your child can celebrate class parties, events, and holidays with their virtual classmates — especially if you are terrible at marking milestones in your child’s school year. After all, these are the social interactions that are so vital to making your child feel as if they belong.
With that in mind, here are some ways you can mark the holiday season and important dates during the school year.
Celebrating the holidays with virtual classmates: Party planning for online classes
Just like class parties when schools were in-person, make sure you find out your school’s policy when it comes to requiring teacher approval, the types of celebrations allowed, and the timing of the party — especially if it is during class hours with staggered online schedules. If the party is for your child and not an official class event, the same social considerations for offline parties apply. What is your school’s policy for private parties? Do you pass out invitations to everyone?
Putting on a virtual party can seem easier because you don’t have to go anywhere, but you may also want to consider the following:
- How will you host the party?
- Who will be supervising the party?
- Are you going to have guided games or an itinerary?
- Will there be entertainment? (e.g., a balloon artist, a dance teacher)
- Will you have decorations, a theme, or a dress code?
- If there are gifts and/or party favors, how can they be safely distributed? (Tip: A holiday-themed face mask would be ideal for goodie bags that are left in a basket on your driveway for guests to pick up.)
Celebrate together, even when you're apart: Virtual holiday party ideas for friends
Thankfully, due to advances in technology, online parties can now be a low-key way for your kids to gather and bond with their classmates. Take advantage of Zoom, Google Meet, Facebook Rooms — even Roblox — to host the event. There are even third-party party planners who will host and run the event for you!
Virtual movie night
Using services and apps like Amazon Watch Party, Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party), Metastream, Kast, or Kosmi, your child’s virtual classmates could watch and sync movies and shows together online. It's a great opportunity to introduce your kids to all your favorite holiday classic movies. (Make sure you check the terms and services of each app.)
Online game night
Your child can also play online games (like on Roblox) with their classmates. Of course, verify that the games are age-appropriate, but there are many sites where you can play party games together in a wholesome fashion.
Virtual scavenger hunt
These can be themed for a particular holiday, or just random, but virtual scavenger hunts can be a fun way for classmates to be more involved during a party. The host will read an item off a list, and everyone has a set time limit to locate and bring the item to their computer.
Crafts and activities
Drop off pre-packaged craft boxes ahead of time and have the kids do a special holiday-themed project together during the party.
“We ordered pumpkins with our groceries and are going to bake goodies and have a pumpkin carving contest via Zoom with friends and family,” web designer Dawn Lamontagne told Mom.com. “Nothing like a little fun, socially distanced competition!”
Hire entertainers or teachers
Even though parties are no longer in-person, you can still have live children’s entertainment! Consider hiring a magician or a balloon twister, setting up a virtual session with an art, acting, or dance teacher, or arranging a virtual visit to a petting zoo or museum.
How to celebrate with classmates safely in-person
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you only gather with people within your household, especially in light of a recent surge in COVID-19 infections partially attributed to small household gatherings.
If you do decide to gather, pediatrician Dr. Steph Lee advised keeping activities outdoors due to better ventilation and a lower risk of getting infected with the coronavirus. Also, make sure to keep the number of guests to a minimum. “The amount of people that’s safe to gather will vary by local infection percentages," Dr. Lee, the spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), told Mom.com.
One way to celebrate safely in-person is with a socially distanced parade or drive-by. Put out some holiday decorations and then, at a designated time, invite friends to drive-by in their cars with signs, songs, and lots of cheering to celebrate while your kids participate from the porch or front yard. You can encourage others to do the same, and then go on a classmate home tour. You can even vote on which houses were the most creative, most extravagant, most festive — even most random. While not the same thing as meeting in person, it can be comforting to see our friends in person — even from six feet away.
