All the room parent hacks you'll ever need—and then some!

Whether you’re a newly appointed room parent (welcome to the party!) or returning for another year of classroom fun (really, you rock), you’ll definitely want to bookmark our collection of room parent hacks. Tried and tested by the savviest party planning, glue stick wielding, smile making volunteer ninjas out there, these 40 tips and tricks will make your own room mom experience that much easier—and a lot more fun.

1. Candy eyeballs are great for making last minute, super adorable, super healthy party snacks.

via thecraftingchicks.com

2. Make a cupcake carrier out of an old cereal box, and never worry about getting it back. 

via makethebestofeverything.com

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3. Scooping ice cream for one? Not a problem (you could do that in the dark, with your eyes closed). But scooping ice cream for 25? Slice it up instead! 

via mrssuziehomemaker.blogspot.com

4. Or, if you’ve got it together (of course you do, you’re a room mom!), scoop your ice cream into cupcake-lined muffin pans and pop in the freezer. Bam! Ready to go. 

via krystaslifeinfood.com

5. Use a utensil tray for ice cream sundae bar toppings.

via catchmyparty.com

6. Add a little Jell-O in your frosting and it will change color and flavor (side note, did you know Jell-O came out with a celery flavor in the 1960s? The kids will be glad that’s done and over with.)

via canadianhometrends.com

7. Use golf tees to stake balloons to the ground – perfect for an outdoor event at school. 

via b-lee.com

8. No helium? No problem. Tape balloons to the wall with streamers.

via gabieandkids.wordpress.com

9. The struggle to decorate cookies (more than one, anyway) is real. Make your life easier with mini M&Ms.

via itsalwaysautumn.com

10. Fancify a cheap plastic tablecloth with just a few nips and tucks.

via thatsmyletter.blogspot.com

11. Keep fruit salad bug-free at outdoor school events by serving it out of a cookie jar. 

via cookiemondays.com

12. You know that little place called the dollar store? Stock up on clear plastic cups and use googly eyes, temporary tattoos or stickers to jazz them up.

via ahealthysliceoflife.com

13. Or, if you’re fancy (here's lookin' at you, fancy pants!), you could use washi tape.

via crabandfish.blogspot.com

14. Patterned duct tape is an easy way to prettify plain water bottles.

via tarynwilliford.com

15. Cut a whole watermelon into sticks – perfect for lots of little grabby fingers!

via athriftymom.com

16. Kids will pretty much eat anything that’s on a stick – yes…even fruit. And get yourself a food marker (marshmallows are the perfect canvas!).

via Room Parent

17. Transform boring, store-bought treats into something spectacular with a few bells and whistles. 

via athriftymom.com

18. Give fruit cups a facelift with googly eyes and some Sharpie marker magic. 

via athriftymom.com

19. Jazz up juice boxes with stickers, heck, even toilet paper if it’s Halloween (mummy juice – muhahaha!). 

via athreehatday.wordpress.com

20. Get the best deals on party supplies by studying the price tags at Target. This takes some planning, but again, you’re room mom, so that’s totally second nature by now.

via prettyprovidence.com

21. Put pancake mix in a ketchup bottle for a no-mess school breakfast event. 

via twohealthykitchens.com

22. Cut up apples ahead of time and wrap a rubber band around the slices to keep from browning. 

via ahelicoptermom.com

23. Turn a cheese stick into pretty much anything with permanent markers.

via Room Parent

24. Pair a gift card with themed items, a fun printable – or both. 

via paperyandcakery.com

25. Make hot dogs for a crowd in a crock pot… 

via ayearofslowcooking.com

26. …and cook corn on the cob in a cooler.

via allshecooks.com

27. Use muffin tins to transport and serve individual snacks… 

via crabandfish.blogspot.com

28. …and to organize craft materials at party stations. 

via usefulbeautifulhome.com

29. Egg cartons and ice cube trays are great for organizing small materials like buttons, sequins, and beads. 

via thecrazycraftlady.com

30. Use cupcake liners as popsicle drip catchers at outdoor school events. 

via pennypinchinmom.com

31. Clean sticky scissors with alcohol or hand sanitizer. 

via stampingmadly.com

32. Divide the classroom into class party stations. Use a timer to keep kids rotating throughout. 

via Room Parent

33. Ask parents to pack and wrap a “party in a box”. Each child gets a surprise treat, drink, and small toy. That's one less thing you have to remember to do. Score!

via Room Parent

34. Make personal piñatas for next to nothing using balloons, candy and treats. 

via  thegunnysack.com

35. Plastic tablecloths are an inexpensive way to make backdrops for a fun photo booth.  

via makoodle.com

36. Don't forget to download our free photo booth prop templates, while you’re at it. 

via Room Parent

37. Ring spools of ribbon or string around a paper towel dispenser to keep them from unwinding. 

via forrent.com

38. Sharpen hole punchers and dull scissors with tin foil. 

via creativehands.com 

39. Use a lint roller to quickly clean up glitter. Your custodian will thank you...and be your new best friend. 

via creativehands.com

40. Or better yet, don’t use glitter at all. You’ve been warned.

via Room Parent on Pinterest

Got a secret tip or a hack up your sleeve you want to share? We'd love to hear it -- share it with us over on Facebook!