You remember that old saying, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail?” Well, don’t let that be your playgroup motto. Now is the time to plan for an exciting 2010 playgroup year. By spending a couple of hours of planning, you can enjoy 12 months of learning and playing fun.

Ideas to Help Your Playgroup Get off to a Great 2010 Start:

Create a survey: Use your email list to create a survey and get some very needed feedback. Ask your playgroup members a few key questions–what activity this year was the most fun for you and your child? What was kind of a dud? What was too much work? If you could repeat one playgroup day, what would it be? Do you want more structured play–or less? What area needs the most work? How can you best help out? What are you good at–that you’re willing to share or teach the group? What didn’t we do that you’d like to try?

Time to get out a physical calendar and nail down those dates. There’s nothing like paper to ground us. Once there’s a master list, then everyone can get out their iPhones and blackberries and input the dates, phone numbers, emails, and work lists.

If you were group leader/co-leader last year, give someone else a chance. Be their right-hand gal or guy. Don’t let them blunder their way through. Give them a hand, make suggestions, and let them try some new things.

Start on those big activities now. If you do a big fundraiser in May, start making plans now. Get your volunteers committed, ask for their input now. If Christmas was a big event for your playgroup, brainstorm on what worked best (and what didn’t) now, while it’s fresh on your mind. It’ll make next December go so much better.

Don’t be afraid to speak up. If you thought something got really complicated, you’re probably not alone. Share your vision of what you and your child want and need from a playgroup. It just might be that others feel the same way–or you might want to visit some other playgroups to find the right fit for you.

It might be wise to have one parent meeting. Even if you have to do it by conference call or coffee shop meeting early one morning, one simple planning meeting can jumpstart a great year.

When we think of a New Year’s party we think of adults toasting with champagne at the stroke of midnight, but what about a playgroup New Year’s party? Celebrating a new beginning is something all of us can do–and who enjoys parties better than kids!

Ways to Celebrate the New Year with Your Playgroup:

Pick a time. It doesn’t have to be on New Year’s Day–do it at a time that’s convenient for all.

Ask different playgroup members how their family and culture celebrates the New Year. Ask them to bring part of their traditions to your party.

Some popular New Year’s traditions are: a seafood fest for Italian families or greens and peas for those who live in the South–collards for “green” cash and beans, such as black-eyed peas or pinto beans for coins. Buy “fake” champagne for the kids–sparkling wine and purchase plastic flute glasses for the full effect.

Make your own party hats. Cut triangles out of construction paper, glue or staple and decorate with stickers, foam cut outs, and even make pom-pom toppers out of tissue paper. You can also make your own noise makers with leftover jingle bells from Christmas and drums made out of oatmeal cylinder cans.

Talk about firsts. Have the kids list things that come first–the first time they rode their bike without training wheels, the first time they performed on a stage, the first time they saw their new puppy. Have them create a small book of firsts so they can continue to celebrate when they lose a tooth, visit grandma alone, or hit a home run.

If you want a grownup New Year’s party, why not all chip in and hire two or three competent teens? (don’t forget to think about asking guy teens–they make great sitters and can really get into playing games with your boys) You can have a spend the night party with sleeping bags, movies, and take-out pizza for the kids. Plan some activities to keep them busy throughout the night (twister, movie and popcorn time, indoor bowling or bean bag toss) and that way all of the grown-ups get to celebrate together and know their kids are having a good time, too.

Do a countdown. It can be a countdown to noon instead of midnight. Get a 3 foot ruler, cover it with paper and mark ten notches. Make or buy a piñata and create a lever where everyone can count down the notches until the piñata its zero–then celebrate the “new year” with confetti, treats, and hugs and kisses for all!