How to Host a Donuts with Dad in Your Preschool Classroom

One of my favorite events of the year to host in my 2 and 3 year old classroom is Donuts with Dad!

Since Father’s Day falls in the summer when school is not in session, I usually host this event in the springtime – March seems to work the best as it is in between Valentine’s Day and Easter.

First thing I do is send home an invitation in each child’s folder.

I used THESE FREE ONES from Emmy and Gabbie.

Several weeks before the event I start interviewing the kids and taking photos of them each holding a D, an A, and another D that I have cut from poster board.

We put it all together to make an adorable gift to present to the dads at the breakfast.

You can find the FREE Printable interview and Father’s Day project details HERE.

I also teach the kids a little song in advance.  This year we learned the song Skidamarink using THIS VIDEO for our inspiration.  It was really cute.

As we are preparing, I tell my class about the event.  What they can expect and what I expect of them.  We make lighthearted jokes that no one is going to cry after their dads leave the room because they are just coming for breakfast, not the whole day. 🙂

The night before the event I throw together my mom’s famous Breakfast Casserole.  I also put in a call to the local Dunkin’ Donuts and order 2 dozen donuts and a box of Joe to be picked up on my drive to school in the morning.

Once I arrive at the school, I set up our table with the food and another table with the coffee, water, and OJ.  I make sure there is a stack of plates, napkins, plastic forks, and cups.

One thing I seem to forget every year is to fill up the room with dad-sized chairs.  Let me tell you, no one 6 feet tall wants to sit with their knees up to their chin for 40 min. in one of our tiny preschool chairs.  My assistant and her daughter saved the day by hauling in a bunch of folding chairs for me!

I hang up THIS FREE PRINTABLE BANNER that I found at Sweet Metel Moments.

The kids arrive around 8 and we expect the dads at 8:30.  Once all the students are present, I gather the kids on the carpet and we verbally rehearse the morning.  I pray for them and remind them that this is our chance to thank our dads and serve them because they are so awesome.

I keep the kids sitting on their carpet spot while the dads file in.  They wave at one another.  I announce that we will be doing our Morning Meeting so that the dads can get a little peak into their child’s school experience as well as jump in and participate!  I make the dads march around the room at the marching part in our Hello Song. 😉  I know they love it – haha!

After our Morning Meeting, I lead everyone in a simple prayer of thanks for the dads and I ask the Lord to bless and strengthen each one in his calling.  I am consistently amazed and blessed by the good men the Lord has given my students.  It is an honor to celebrate what God is doing in their lives as they lead their families!

Then I let the kids go sit at the tables while the dads grab a bite to eat.  You can see from the photos that during the food time, the dads pulled books from our classroom library and started to read with their kids!  That is exactly why I love hosting this event!

After about 20 minutes of food, I announce that the children want to present their dads with the song they have prepared.  Then we share their special projects.  I invite each child up and we hold the project and read it out loud to their dad.  Then they go give it to their dad along with a great big hug.  The sharing of interviews always stirs up some laughter.When all the projects have been shared, I thank the dads for coming and that is it!

Donuts with Dad is such a fun morning in our preschool room.  I hope you found some ideas or inspiration here to help you host your own!

Joyfully,

Julie 🙂