Stephany Springer

Christmas Activities for the Toddler and Preschool Classroom



Posted: Sunday, December 03, 2006

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Christmas is that one great holiday designed to peak every sense. The sights, smells, sounds, etc. still fascinate me as an adult. Imagine Christmas from a child’s perspective. Everything is so new, suspenseful, thrilling—the way it should be. As a teacher, or parent for that matter, success is being able to foster those feelings and bring them into the classroom.

However, if you are anything like me, I always get stressed at this time of year because of that high expectation of the season. Parents want these flawless, marvelous crafts and gifts, leaving us (me) feeling pressured to find that ultimate activity. Not this year. I have resolved to plan ahead and then plan some more and then plan some more. I wanted to share some of the crafts I am doing. After all, that’s why you’re reading my article.

Peppermint Painting

This activity is sure to delight the senses of smell and touch. I am taking peppermint flavoring and mixing it with red paint. Not a lot of flavoring is necessary. I will then have the kids paint a candy cane. Poof—a simple art project that incorporates the smell of Christmas.

Pine Tree Painting

This is my favorite just because it takes the routine out of painting. While doing a Christmas tree theme, I collect pine branches. I allow the kids to not only explore the pine branches in the Nature Center, but love the use of them in art as well. Kids take the branch and dip it in the paint (I prefer green) and paint on paper whatever design they like. Kids love it because they can say they are painting with a tree.

Christmas Cards

Who doesn’t like getting a Christmas card in the mail? Have the children make their own cards to mail to the parents. For toddlers you can have handprints and a photo. For older kids, they can do stickers, glitter, coloring, etc. Get creative!

Music Fun

Christmas is such a wonderful holiday to celebrate through music. You can make jingle bell bracelets or necklaces then allow the students to shake them while singing jingle bells. Always have a Christmas CD playing while the children are working.

Snack Fun

Bake sugar cookies and allow children to decorate with icing and sprinkles. Make Jell-o jigglers in Christmas shapes for the kids to enjoy. Bake gingerbread cookies for the kids to decorate. Buy some gingerbread graham crackers for kids to make houses with. Give kids marshmallows, raisins and fruit roll-up and allow children to make a snowman to eat. Let the kids drink hot chocolate or wassail.

Make Ornaments

There are endless ornaments on the web for children to color or make. The simplest is to take a child’s picture and place it on a foam star, ball, tree, angel, etc. Laminate and punch a hole in the top and boom there is an easy ornament.

The great thing about Christmas is that there are endless activities and crafts. My advice is do a theme each day—Christmas trees, stars, Nativity, snowmen, Reindeer, etc. Then incorporate crafts into the theme. There are so many resources available, you could spend days looking for that perfect activity. My advice is just jump in, do the best you can, plan and plan again, then learn lessons for next year.

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Kylie
 3 years 114 days ago.
Some great ideas!
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