Welcome to our Pad, a party on a Budget!

A new school year is always exciting time for children specially if  it is their first time going to school. My youngest child started preschool last week and to help him with the transition, we had a fun Welcome to our Pad party! 
The best part of all, is that I only spend $36!
 I love to walk around the candy aisle and brainstorm on easy and affordable ways to bring some fun to the dessert table. Dollar Tree is always on my list for great finds and inspiration. It was at the Dollar Tree that I got the idea to do a Welcome to Our Pad party on a budget. A very cute theme that can be also used for a Frog Birthday Party theme. Most of the items that I used at the party came from the Dollar Tree. As you scroll dow, you will be able to see every detail from our party and the 

For the backdrop, I used black wrapping paper, embellished with a polk a dot trimmer with the big frog in the center and the small frogs around with the names of the children that attended to the party.

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For this party, I tried to keep the snacks simple but creative. For the sweet table, we enjoyed some erasers (Stacker Mallows),rulers(AirHead), chalk  (marshmallow confetti), chocolate frogs, apples and frog cupcakes and marshmallow paint brushes. 

Before they enjoyed their sweets, the children munched on apple shaped whole wheat ham and cheese sandwiches, bookworm grapes and fruit punch. 

One of my favorite DIY projects for this party is the crayon cupcake stand using crayons and paper towel roll! So easy to make and definitely made the cupcakes stand out! You can get the tutorial HERE.

I used the frog labels from the Dollar Tree to embellish the snack containers and personalize their drinks. I got alphabet stamps from Walmart scrapbook section for $1. 

I already had the chalk place mats from Jill Celebration's, the kids played tic-tac-toe while munching on their snacks. You can also use 12x12 black scrapbook paper as place mats. Michael Stores often has a sale for 6 scrapbook papers for $1.

Just like class parties, I set up 3 Stations that included a Lace and Learn, Tangrams and color the puzzle. 

I made the goodie bags using paper bags from the dollar tree and scrapbook paper. They came up so cute and inexpensive.

Welcome to my Pad snack/sweet Table break down

From Dollar Tree:

26pc Frog Welcome to Our Pad bulletin board $1

black wrapping paper $1

AirHead candy $1

Rice Kripes treats $1

6  juice $1

2 big clip board $2($1 each)

animal crackers $1

green paper bag $1

4 frog plate $2 ($1 for 2)

8 small favor box $1

red candy $1

writing practice board $1

learn and learn $1

color your own puzzle $1

tangrams $1

cake mix $1

red plastic towel $1

From Walmart

mini alphabet stamp $1

ink pad $1

goldfish, bread, cold cuts, grapes, marshmallow, icing and apples $15

total cost: $36

Items used that I own:

silver pail from Target dollar section

chalkboard place mats and fabric bunting from Celebration by Jill

                                                               DIY crayon cupcake holder

large pail(centerpiece for the kids table)

polka dot napkin

scrapbook paper

cupcake liner and sprinkles

3 small clipboard 

frog chocolate mold and chocolate(from a previous party)

craft spoons

apple mini clip from Michaels

children's tees from *golden*

Great party to welcome the 2012/2013 school year! 

Happy Back to School!

Cris

 I’m sharing my idea on The Celebration Shoppe’s What I Made Wednesday link party!