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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not to be able to think of something nice to do?

55 replies

Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 20:05

Sorry I am posting here for traffic. I am an Early Years teacher in an independent school.

The rest of school are going to the Pantomime. Ours are deemed too young for the travel and all that a trip out entails.

What can we do with ours that would be lovely to cheer them us up?
There will be 15 children aged 2-4. We can't have a party as that is already planned for the week afterwards.
Please help wise Mumsnetters.

OP posts:
Justanotherquestioner · 07/10/2021 20:08

When I worked in early years we did a winter wonderland project.
We made passports. Walked to the travel agents to get "tickets". Laid out the classroom as an airport and aeroplane.
Set up a winter wonderland in an adjacent room. White and blue fabric everywhere. It was just incredible. Lots of small world stuff. Giant cushions.
A proper holiday

Youcancallmeval · 07/10/2021 20:13

What pantomime is it? Can you plan a day/week on the same story, so if there are discussions about it, yours will be able to contribute?

YouveBeenLittUp · 07/10/2021 20:14

If it's a panto type thing I think you can get travelling ones that go to schools?

fruitypancake · 07/10/2021 20:14

What about getting a theatre company to come to you? Our school has one called treehouse theatre and it's really fun and interactive, they always do one at Christmas

44PumpLane · 07/10/2021 20:14

@Justanotherquestioner what an amazing idea..... I bet the little really engaged with it!

Changemaname1 · 07/10/2021 20:17

@Justanotherquestioner oh I love that so much !

Another one saying you can get performers in to do a pantomime :)

YouveBeenLittUp · 07/10/2021 20:18

@Justanotherquestioner that's a lovely idea Smile my dd would love that!

Sparkletastic · 07/10/2021 20:36

Bring your teddy bear 'We're Going on Bear Hunt' interactive afternoon with floor picnic

Original poster
Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 20:41

Lots of lovely ideas.
I love the winter wonderland one. What did you use for the Wonderland please? I'm so sad we can't go to the Pantomime my brain is fried.

We can't have a visiting theatre I don't think, as they are about £300 which is £20 per head, which is more than we would be allowed to charge the parents. I forgot to say we only have a tiny budget!

It is Aladdin.

OP posts:
Notimeforaname · 07/10/2021 20:43

Love Justanotherquestioner suggestion.

They could have a show and tell time ..with something interesting/they love from home.

You could collect leaves and things from nature and make Autumn/winter art.

Or let them have a mini 'show' where they can get up to sing their favourite songs or do a dance

Notimeforaname · 07/10/2021 20:43

Can they watch a film ?

Notimeforaname · 07/10/2021 20:44

In the classroom?

Original poster
Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 20:44

@Sparkletastic
That is a good idea but we did that at the beginning of term as our icebreaker. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 20:45

Yes it needs to be in the classroom. We could go to the hall too, but that needs to be available for lunch etc. The school is going in the morning.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 20:47

@Notimeforaname
Thank you for your ideas. We have done nature art this week after our Autiumn walk.

OP posts:
Original poster
Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 20:50

We could do a mini show with my preschoolers but not so much with the toddlers. They are just 2 as opposed to nearly 3's.

Has anyone any recommendations fir a film? We could have popcorn etc.

OP posts:
gah2teenagers · 07/10/2021 21:00

Not sure popcorn is recommended for under 5’s

Original poster
Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 21:11

@gah2teenagers
Oh I didn't know that! It's nit normally something we would have at school.

OP posts:
twocatsandtwokids · 07/10/2021 21:19

Is it close to Christmas? My children both loved it when Santa aka the head teacher visited in Preschool/Reception!

Youcancallmeval · 07/10/2021 21:30

Linking Aladdin with pps lovely winter wonderland idea, the day before you could discuss wishes while they sit on your amazing 'magic carpet' and then the next day, the classroom brought a wish to life and it was snow/a desert/the moon wherever. It would take a bit of planning and effort but you could set all the areas up to be linked to the theme, provide a relevant snack, get them to come in clothing linked to the idea. If going wintery, could add to the above: fake snow in the tuff tray/freeze small world toys in ice/ice pops to eat/make slushies/wear your gloves and a hat/freeze water in gloves/oobleck...

Original poster
Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 21:38

@twocatsandtwokids
The head is a woman and will be at the panto. There will literally be myself and my colleague left in school. We are not bitter.

The children will have a visit from FC the week after. Thank you though for the idea.

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 07/10/2021 21:38

Do you have a sand or water table you could fill with fake snow?

What about something like christmas card making? Snowing scenes on black card with cotton wool and sticky stars. Or potato print christmas trees with finger printed baubles.

Maybe play a game like picture bingo - could easily be christmas themed.

2319inprogress · 07/10/2021 21:39

Are you allowed to walk around the school? Could they be in charge of looking after everything while the rest of the school is out?
Water the plants for P2, feed the fish for Y6 etc plus a wee scavenger hunt as they walk about- Aladdin themed pictures perhaps? Or just coloured paper if some are so wee

Or start making the decorations for the party the following week.

Original poster
Moonflower12 · 07/10/2021 21:41

@Stompythedinosaur
Oooh do you know where we could get fake snow?
That would be good. A bit different.
We want to do something fun that will be memorable fir them.

OP posts:
Stompythedinosaur · 07/10/2021 21:45

[quote Moonflower12]@Stompythedinosaur
Oooh do you know where we could get fake snow?
That would be good. A bit different.
We want to do something fun that will be memorable fir them.
[/quote]
I get mine on Amazon - a tub of Prextex fake snow costs £19.99 and makes absolutely loads of fake snow (10 gallons according to the tub).