10 Engaging and Festive Holiday Activities for the Classroom

Audio Article

Celebrating holidays in the classroom offers a chance to blend creativity, culture, and community into everyday learning. Through various activities, students can engage with festive traditions while enhancing their skills and building connections with peers.

1. Holiday Crafts for Creativity

Crafting offers an engaging way for students to explore their creativity while embracing the holiday spirit. Begin with simple projects that use minimal supplies.

Popsicle Stick Snowflakes/ Ornaments:

Supplies Needed:

• Popsicle sticks
• Glue (non-toxic and safe for kids)
• White or blue paint (make it fun with any color)
• Rhinestones (optional)
• Stickers (optional)
• Paintbrushes
• String (optional, for hanging)

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Steps:

1. Gather 4 popsicle sticks, lay them across each other in the shape of a snowflake.
2. Glue the snowflake together. Using non-toxic craft glue, secure the sticks together where they overlap in the center. Add a small dab of glue at each connection point. Let the glue dry completely (about 20–30 minutes).
3. Once dried, paint the snowflake your desired color.
4. When the paint has dried, it’s time for the fun! Gather rhinestones and stickers to decorate your snowflake. Press each decoration firmly into place with a bit of glue.
5. If you’d like to hang the snowflake as an ornament, ask an adult to help glue a piece of string or yarn to the back of one stick. Make sure it’s securely attached before using it to hang.

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Tips for Success:

• Supervise young children, especially when using glue or small decorations.
• Encourage kids to use their imagination for decorating. No two snowflakes look alike!
• Make it a group activity for extra fun.

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Design A Snowperson:

Supplies Needed:

• Non-toxic glue (safe for kids)
• Cotton balls
• Popsicle sticks
• Craft paper
• Pipe cleaners

Optional (extra fun!) supplies:

• Holiday-themed ribbon
• Buttons
• Small googly eyes

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Steps :

1. Plan Your Snowperson:
   Lay a few cotton balls on top of a popsicle stick to figure out how you’d like your snowperson to look. Once you’re happy with the design, you’re ready for the next step!
2. Build the Body:
   Use the glue to attach the cotton balls to the popsicle stick. Press gently so they stick, then let them dry for about 20 minutes.
3. Add Arms:
   Wrap a pipe cleaner around the back of your snowperson so the popsicle stick stays in the center. This will look like the snowperson’s arms! Use glue to attach the pipe cleaner to the back of the popsicle stick, keeping it as straight as possible.

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Optional Fun Add-Ons:

• Background Art:
  Glue your finished snowperson onto a colorful sheet of craft paper. This will cover any glue on the back and give your snowperson a fun background! You can decorate the paper by drawing snowflakes, other snowpeople, or even a holiday tree.
• Funny Face:
  Add googly eyes to the top cotton ball for a silly or cute face!
• Buttons and Scarf:
  Use glue to attach small buttons to the cotton balls in the center of your snowperson. Finish the look with a piece of ribbon tied around the neck as a scarf.

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Holiday-Inspired Story Writing

• Have children write their own holiday-themed stories. Perhaps this can be done in between waiting for the crafts to dry.
• This project blends art with literacy and encourages them to think about cultural stories and traditions.

Finally, displaying students’ work around the room fosters a sense of pride and community.***

2. Winter-Themed Music Session

Start by curating a diverse playlist of winter holiday songs, including both traditional tunes and contemporary hits. Invite students to contribute their favorite songs to foster inclusion. Host a listening session where students can enjoy the music.

Guide a discussion about what makes these tunes feel distinctly wintery and special. Encourage students to share the emotions and memories each song evokes. Consider creating a Venn diagram with the class to compare the sensory elements of the songs with the broader themes of the holidays. This exercise enhances listening skills and invites students to explore cultural traditions and stories within the lyrics.

3. Holiday Skit Performances

Encourage students to create holiday skits tailored to their school experiences. Introduce classic holiday poems and songs, then have students reinterpret these works to reflect their school environment. Divide the class into groups, each focusing on a different skit.

Encourage students to incorporate elements of humor and drama to make their performances entertaining. Dedicate time for rehearsals to ensure each student feels comfortable in their role. These skits can be performed in front of classmates or at a school assembly.

This activity boosts students’ public speaking and teamwork skills while celebrating the holidays through innovative storytelling.

4. Gratitude Activities

Introduce the concept of gratitude and its benefits. Encourage students to think about the people who have made a positive impact on their lives. Guide students to create personalized gratitude lists, noting individuals they’re thankful for and why.

Have students compose gratitude letters to one or more people on their lists. Consider organizing a gratitude circle where students can share some of their gratitude statements with classmates. This activity helps students become more mindful of the kindness that surrounds them and embrace a positive outlook.

5. Multicultural Holiday Calendar

Divide students into small groups, tasking each with researching a holiday from a different culture. Encourage them to explore the origins, traditions, and significance of their assigned holiday. Have each group create a presentation to share with the class, using visual aids, artifacts, or samples of traditional music and cuisine.

Compile the learned information into a classroom multicultural holiday calendar. Display this calendar prominently to allow students to visually appreciate the diversity of global celebrations. This activity promotes empathy and inclusivity while enriching students’ understanding of different cultures.

6. The Snowball Get-to-Know-You Game

1. Provide each student with a few pieces of paper and a writing utensil.
2. Have them write down fun facts about themselves on each sheet.
3. Instruct students to crumple their papers into ‘snowballs’.
4. Designate an area for a snowball fight, letting students throw their paper snowballs to each other.
5. After the snowballs have settled, have each student pick a random snowball and try to guess whose fact they’ve got.

This activity helps students practice public speaking skills and fosters communication while discovering unique aspects of their classmates.

7. Holiday Card Creation

Set up a crafting station with supplies like construction paper, markers, and stickers. Have students choose a recipient for their holiday card. Guide them in writing a personalized message inside, such as a simple poem or short story. Provide prompts or examples of holiday-themed writing for inspiration.

Encourage students to decorate their cards creatively. Once complete, organize a sharing session where students can present their creations to the class. This activity reinforces writing skills while expressing gratitude and affection.

8. Classroom Holiday Celebration

Organize a holiday party that showcases food, music, and customs from various global celebrations. Invite students and their families to contribute dishes significant to their holiday traditions. Transform the classroom into a cultural showcase, displaying the array of traditional foods with descriptive labels.

Create a playlist featuring music from various celebrations around the world. Incorporate interactive cultural activities such as traditional games or crafts. Consider inviting students to make brief presentations about their traditions. This celebration embraces diverse traditions and fosters cultural appreciation and empathy among students.

9. Photo Booth Fun

Set up a holiday-themed photo booth in your classroom for a fun and memorable activity. Create a festive corner with seasonal decorations like fairy lights, snowflakes, or a winter scene backdrop. Add props such as Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and oversized glasses to encourage creativity.

Students can take group photos or individual shots, expressing their personalities and creating lasting memories. Use a camera or tablet to allow students to see their photos immediately, adding to the excitement.

Consider hosting a mini photo contest with categories like “Most Creative Shot” or “Best Group Photo” to add a friendly competitive element. For a crafty extension, provide materials for students to create personalized frames for their pictures.

This activity fosters a sense of community and allows students to celebrate the holiday season together while creating keepsakes to take home.

10. Classroom Decorating Party

Transform your classroom into a festive space with a collaborative decorating party. Gather a variety of holiday decorations representing diverse celebrations within your classroom community. Include items like:

• Garlands
• Snowflakes
• Menorahs
• Kinara

Divide the class into small groups and assign each a specific area to decorate. Encourage students to bring in their own ideas and craft decorations that add a personal touch. Play festive music and provide light snacks to create a fun atmosphere.

Inspire creativity by allowing students to use various materials, including recycled items and natural elements. Once complete, take time to admire the collaborative effort and celebrate the students’ work. Consider organizing a classroom tour where groups present their decorated areas and share the inspiration behind their designs.

This activity not only creates a festive environment but also promotes teamwork, creativity, and cultural appreciation.

These holiday-themed activities can help create an inclusive classroom environment that celebrates diversity and encourages creativity. Students can learn about different traditions while enjoying the festive spirit of the season.