I have an open house for incoming kindergarteners a few days before school
 opens up.  I usually put out flannel boards with flannel pieces, crayons
 and plain paper, linker-cubes, pattern blocks, etc.  on tables.  As the
 children come in I tell them that they can take a look around the room and
 then find an activity at one of the tables that appeals to them.  Our open
 house is mostly for the students.  The parents fill out emergency cards,
 volunteer sheets, milk and lunch forms and a kindergarten questionare. 
 Most of my time is spent talking to the children on a one on one basis. 
 Once I've met everyone, I call them to our meeting place and we do calendar
 activities , a fingerplay and read a book.  By then, it's time for them to
 go and I give myself at least 30 minutes before the next group of children
 is due to arrive.

 How about giving them all bags of homemade playdough and a couple of
popsicle sticks.

Try open ended art activities that the kids and parents can do while
waiting to talk to you.  Collages, watercolors, playdough - make sure you
have smocks for those that come in their "Sunday" best.  Make sure to have
some peppy music playing, and open all the curtains to let the light in.
 Finger food that they can hep themselves with is also a great choice.  And -
if you are pblessed with a great day - how about activities outside?

 Maybe setting up some simple centers - playdough, easel, books - will 
 help keep the kids busy and contained. If you have other staff members 
 there with you, you could ask one of them to monitor that area and make 
 sure the kids aren't getting in to trouble.


She could put butcher paper over the table/s and let the children color
away.

      When our center has open houses we a re encouraged to have out
playdough, puzzles, and blocks. These are activities that are more child
directed and leaves the teacher more free to talk to parents.....h, just
thought of another one...water colors.