http://markaki-students.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-activities-for-children.html

Now, party planning for older kids. One reason I like board games without language built in is that I can change the rules, which changes the language. For example, this same board could be used with “I want/don’t want a ___ for Christmas,” “Would you like a ___ for Christmas?”, etc.

For older kids, I might include pictures of different types of gifts (video game, puzzle, bicycle, book, accessories, candy, etc.). Then give each child a list of family members (mother, father, sister, brother, grandfather, etc.). The “task” would be to buy a gift for each person on the list. The language could be “I could buy a book for my sister,” “I won’t get a book for my brother,” or even the question “Would should I buy for my sister?” When students have collected gifts for everyone on the list they head for the finish. (There are lots of pictures for these objects, too, in the Let’s Go worksheets online–save you having to draw)

There are a few basic types of game boards–the kind I made, which feels less competitive for little kids (they can go in any direction so no one is ever ahead of anyone else); the board that snakes from start to finish; and the snakes and ladders type board. It’s fun to include some blank “ask your own question” or “make your own sentence” or “perform some task or action” spots.

One of the key elements for success with a board game in class is to make sure that it doesn’t drag. Things like having to get the exact number to exit the game are killers–you want the game to end while everyone is still having a good time!

I know you asked about board games, but you can adapt just about any game for holiday parties.

For example, karuta. You place the gift cards on the table. T: Santa is thinking of a toy. It’s red and white. It’s little. It has four wheels. Students touch the card they think you’re describing and ask “Is it a train?” If they guess right they get to keep the card, and if the class level is high enough they become the next caller. I like rotating callers so that no one student dominates the game (the winning student is automatically out of the next round because he/she is the caller).

Another teacher, Jane Takizawa, taught me a fun variation for team karuta. The cards are placed on the floor, in the center, and students line up in four teams about 1 meter from the cards (each team forming one side of a square). The play is the same (students touching the cards with their hands or fly swatters) but after each round the team member who just played goes back to the end of the line. Students move fast. What I like about this version is that weaker players can still win as team members.

Anyway, hope this helps! Good luck with your parties–I look forward to hearing about them.

Thanks for the holiday party ideas- all very timely, indeed! I recognize the teaching points you make- they are pretty much the same that I focus on in kinder classes (ages 3-6). Do you have any good game ideas for kids a little more advanced, say elementary grades 1-3 and 4-6? I have only a week to set up board games for our parties, which start on the 21st and run through the 26th! Ho Ho Ho! Happy Holidays to you and yours, and I hope to see you in 2010! (P.S. I haven’t forgotten about my blog entry- just been really busy!)

This post was mentioned on Twitter by tatisobral: RT @barbsaka: Just for fun: Party Animals (a new blog post about class parties) http://bit.ly/4FIUzc #efl #esl…