What should kids throw in a school or church parade?

Many schools and churches in Louisiana hold their own small parades. Kids ride on wagons or walk the route, and they throw to families along the way. It is a big day for them.

Kids are not grown-up float riders, though. Their throws need to fit small hands and short arms. And the crowd is often full of other small children. This guide helps you choose.

Who decides what kids can throw?

The school or church does. Before you buy anything, ask the person in charge for their rules. Some common things to ask:

• Are there any throws we may not use?
• Do throws need to be handed out instead of tossed?
• Are there rules about food, candy or allergies?
• Who pays for throws: the school, the church or each family?
• Where will kids carry their throws during the parade?

Get the answers in writing if you can, like an email or a note home. Then share them with every parent who helps.

What throws work for small hands?

Young kids cannot throw far or hard. The best throws for them are:

• Light. Easy to toss without a big wind-up.
• Soft. If a throw hits someone, it should not hurt.
• Easy to grab. One piece at a time, not a tangle.

Short strands of beads work well. They are light and easy to hold. Small plush toys are a great choice too. They are soft, and kids love throwing them. Many soft novelty toys also work.

The store has plush toys and novelty throws you can browse for ideas.

What should we avoid?

Skip anything heavy or hard. A hard toy can hurt someone, even from a small hand.

Be very careful with throws that have small parts. The crowd at a school parade often includes babies and toddlers. In the United States, toys made for children under 3 may not contain small parts, because small parts are a choking hazard. Toys with small parts that are meant for older kids carry a warning label for that reason. Read the labels on what you buy. Choose throws that are safe if a little brother or sister picks them up.

If you are not sure about an item, leave it out.

Should kids throw or hand out?

That depends on the school or church rules and the age of the kids.

Very young children may do better handing throws to people at the edge of the route. Older kids can usually toss gently. Teach them to throw underhand, toward people who are looking, and never at someone’s face.

A quick practice the week before helps. Let the kids toss a few soft throws in the yard. They will feel more ready on the day.

How do we plan a budget for each child?

We will not suggest a dollar amount. Every school is different. But here is a simple way to work it out:

1. Find out how many children are in the parade.
2. Decide how many throws each child should carry. Think about the length of the route and how long the parade lasts.
3. Multiply the two numbers to get your total throws.
4. Check the cost of that total online.
5. Divide the total cost by the number of children. That is your cost per child.

If the cost per child is too high, change the mix of throws, or reduce the throws per child. Short beads with a few plush toys mixed in can still feel generous to a crowd.

For the bulk side of it, the store explains how buying by the case works on its bulk beads page.

How do we pack throws for each child?

Give each child their own small bag with their name on it. A small bag is easier for a child to carry than a big one. Put in only what they can carry for the whole route.

Ask a parent or helper to carry a spare bag of extra throws. If a child runs out early, the helper can top them up.

What else should parents and teachers plan for?

• Water and snacks. Kids get tired and thirsty on a parade route.
• Weather. Have a plan for rain and for sun.
• Helpers along the route. Enough adults to keep kids together and on the path.
• Clean-up. Some throws will land on the ground. A few helpers with bags at the end can pick them up.

How do we get the throws?

Order online and pick up at the store in Bridge City or Houma, Louisiana. Pick a day well before the parade, so there is time to bag throws for each child.

A school or church parade is a small event with big smiles. Light, soft throws and clear rules keep it fun for everyone.

Sources

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Small Parts” FAQ: https://www.cpsc.gov/FAQ/Small-Parts
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Small Parts for Toys and Children’s Products”: https://cpsc.gov/Business—Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Small-Parts-for-Toys-and-Childrens-Products