The holiday season is a wonderful time for families to come together, create memories, and share in the joy of the season. But did you know that Christmas activities can also be a fun and effective way to support your child’s learning? Whether at home or in the classroom, festive activities can help young children develop important skills like math, literacy, creativity, and social-emotional growth. At Pelican Point Preschool, we believe learning doesn’t stop when the holidays begin—in fact, it’s a perfect time to engage your little one in educational Christmas activities that are both fun and enriching! Here are five educational Christmas activities that will help your child grow while enjoying the magic of the season.

1. Holiday-Themed Reading and Storytelling

Learning Focus: Literacy, Imagination, and Comprehension One of the best ways to spark a child’s imagination and language development is through storytelling. Christmas-themed books like The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Snowman not only introduce children to new vocabulary, but they also encourage comprehension and empathy as they follow characters through their holiday adventures.

Activity Idea: After reading a holiday story together, encourage your child to retell the story in their own words, or create an imaginative twist on it. For example, “What if the Grinch had a change of heart in the middle of the story? What would happen next?” This helps develop storytelling skills, boosts comprehension, and fosters creativity.

2. Counting with Christmas Decorations

Learning Focus: Math Skills, Counting, and Patterns Christmas decorations aren’t just festive—they’re a great tool for teaching early math concepts like counting, sorting, and identifying patterns. Whether it’s counting the ornaments on the tree, sorting different colored gift bows, or organizing holiday treats by size or shape, math can be part of the holiday fun!

Activity Idea: Ask your child to help you decorate the tree or set the table, and as they do, practice counting and simple addition. For example, “We have five red ornaments, and now we add two more blue ones—how many ornaments do we have in total?” You can also work on creating and identifying patterns with Christmas lights or gift wrap.

Bonus Tip: Introduce concepts like “more than” or “less than” as you sort holiday items. You can ask, “Which group has more? The red ornaments or the green ones?”

3. DIY Christmas Science Experiments

Learning Focus: Scientific Thinking, Experimentation, and Critical Thinking The holiday season is a great time to explore some simple, fun science experiments with your little ones. You can teach them about chemical reactions, changes in temperature, and even physics—all while having a blast together!

Activity Idea: Try making “snow” by mixing baking soda and shaving cream to create a cool, fluffy texture. Or, create a Christmas-themed lava lamp with water, oil, and food coloring to explore how liquids interact. Another fun science experiment is creating your own Christmas tree “decorations” by making icicles from salt and water, or experimenting with how salt melts ice.

Bonus Tip: Discuss what happens during each experiment. Ask your child to predict the results first: “What do you think will happen if we mix these ingredients?” This encourages critical thinking and the scientific method in a playful way.

4. Christmas Crafting with a Purpose

Learning Focus: Creativity, Fine Motor Skills, and Problem Solving Crafting is an excellent way for preschoolers to express themselves creatively while building fine motor skills and following instructions. Whether it’s making homemade Christmas cards, decorating gingerbread cookies, or creating paper snowflakes, crafts allow children to practice concentration and precision.

Activity Idea: Set up a crafting station where kids can decorate their own ornaments or create paper chains. You can also work on creating a Christmas-themed collage using magazine cut-outs, glitter, and stickers. Encourage your child to follow specific steps (like folding or cutting) to practice fine motor skills and improve hand-eye coordination.

Bonus Tip: As your child works on their craft, talk about the shapes and colors they are using. “What shape is this ornament? What color will we use next? How many stars do you want to put on your tree?”

5. Giving Back with Acts of Kindness

Learning Focus: Social-Emotional Development, Empathy, and Kindness One of the best lessons children can learn during the holiday season is the importance of giving. Not only does it teach empathy, but it also reinforces the idea that the true spirit of Christmas is about helping others. This year, take the time to involve your child in simple acts of kindness that teach generosity and social responsibility.

Activity Idea: Create “kindness cards” together and send them to family, friends, or neighbors. These could include drawings, positive messages, or holiday cheer. Another idea is to participate in a toy or clothing drive, where children can select a toy to donate or help sort donations.

Bonus Tip: Talk to your child about the joy that comes from giving. “How do you think it will make someone feel to receive this card or gift?” Helping children understand the emotional impact of their actions reinforces positive social behaviors and compassion.

As the vibrant colors of fall surround us, these activities provide a perfect way for your young learner to explore, create, and connect with nature. We encourage families to take advantage of this beautiful season and make lasting memories together. Happy fall, everyone!