Mini School Cones from Kindercone.com

The very awesome Vivian from Kindercone.com contacted me after seeing my previous posts on the Schultuete (German school cones) that I give my kids each year.  She sent me a great package that included a set of Mini School Cones, Kinder Journals, a Karli the Cat plush, KinderCone bookmarks and KinderCone tattoos.  I was so excited to receive this package and share it with some of my friends and their children.  Many people have seen my kids with their cones on the school playground and have asked about them.  I love being able to pass on this fabulous German tradition.

The tradition of the Schultuete or “school cone”, which dates back over 200 hundred years,  is one of the most celebrated and long-standing traditions in Germany. At the beginning of every school year, children all over Germany set off with their large and shiny Schultueten, also called school cones or sugar cones by many. These large, colorful school cones, purchased or home-made, sweeten the child’s first day of school as they come filled with little gifts, school supplies and sweets.

We decided to invite some of our friends over for a Back to School Party and give out our cones.  I filled them with pencils, erasers, bubbles, pads, the bookmarks and tattoos from KinderCone and few other small things.

What I used to fill the School Cones

 We didn’t do anything too fancy.  We served some snacks and the kids played.  We had originally planned to be outside in the backyard, but unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with us.  I used a bunch of free Back to School printables that I found on Pinterest to decorate.

Food Table for Back to School Party

Karli the Cat Enjoying Brownies

Back to School Party Banner

 After a few snacks, it was time to hand out the Schultuete/School Cones.  The kids were so excited to open them and find out what treats were inside.

Opening the Cones

 Siblings compare their treats.

Opening the Cones

The big kids had fun checking out the School Cones!

Big Kids Love School Cones!

Some Adults were a little jealous of their kids’ School Cones.

Adults are Jealous of their kids' School Cones

 All in all, the kids and parents had a great time at the party and receiving their first ever School Cones from the very awesome KinderCone.com!  Next year, I suspect we won’t be the only ones with our cones on the playground!  Thanks again, KinderCone.  YOU ROCK!

Kids Have a Blast at Back to School Party

 Bilingual Babes has also posted about school cones.  Check out her homemade ones!  They are great.

End of School Gift from Class Mom to Kids

Graphic Used for Tag

For my younger son’s 3 nursery school teachers, we used these adorable chalkboard plant markers and planters that I found in the dollar spot at Target, along with some pink geraniums.  I purchased the geraniums in a 6 pack at the grocery store for $10 right before Mother’s Day, which conveniently coincides with Teacher Appreciation Week (You could also use these for Mother’s Day by simply altering the chalkboard message!).  On the marker I wrote “Thanks for helping me grow this year” using a paint pen (found at AC Moore) so it wouldn’t come off.

Teacher Gift - Plant with Marker

For my older son’s kindergarten teacher and aide, I purchased flattened silver spoons that had the phrase “Teachers plant seeds of knowledge that will grow forever” pressed into them (from JLynnCreations on Etsy).

"Teachers plant seeds of knowledge that will grow forever"

 We packaged each plant in a gift bag from the dollar store.  Such simple gifts and we received nothing but thank yous and compliments from all of the teachers.