December can feel like a sprint to the finish line: full of student excitement and very little focus. These Christmas classroom ideas give you options for bringing the season into your teaching without losing momentum on the standards that still need to be covered. You will find crafts, writing activities, science experiments, and gift-making ideas below, all designed for elementary classrooms.
Christmas Craft Ideas for the Holiday Season
Beyond the academic standards, December is also a good time to work on social skills, cooperation, and showing gratitude. The
Christmas Tree Craftivity Flap Book | Holiday Writing Activity
Celebrate the holiday season with this Christmas Tree Craftivity Flap Book! Students reflect on Christmas wishes, favorite memories, holiday traditions, gifts they want to give, and acts of kindness while creating a meaningful tree-shaped keepsake. Includes lined, thin-lined, blank, and editable template options for easy differentiation.
Students can write or draw about aspects that make December extra special. Specifically, this includes a favorite Christmas memory, Christmas tradition, and an act of kindness they want to do. Additionally, there are sections for a gift they want to give and a gift they wish to receive.
Since every student writes and draws differently, there are formats with thin lines, wide lines, and blank pages. Students can color their flap book to match it to the joyous season. This will be the perfect way to celebrate Christmas in the classroom while creating a keepsake for parents!
December Teaching Ideas
There are too many standards to teach to spend all of December on crafts, but that doesn’t mean the season has to disappear from the classroom. Reindeer & Caribou Information Writing is one way to keep the content focus while tying into December. It works well for infusing informational writing into your reading and writing curriculum.
Reindeer & Caribou Information Writing is the perfect way to focus on academics and Christmas!
Students will begin by learning about caribou (reindeer). They will do this by reading articles and books. They can also watch short videos. Students will sort facts based on attributes, actions, and environment to process the information.
They can then reflect on everything they have learned by writing a well-composed piece about caribou or reindeer. Students are motivated to share their writing when the subject connects to something they already care about.
30 Holiday Science Experiments for the Classroom
Students have a lot of energy in the weeks leading up to holiday break, and that energy can work in your favor. For instance, there is an experiment on keeping an egg safe to avoid breaking presents. Likewise, students will learn what water temperature melts snow the fastest. The investigations connect to familiar seasonal topics, which helps students stay focused even when attention is running thin.
These 30 Holiday Elementary Science Activities give students hands-on investigation tasks that channel the excitement into learning.
Additional Christmas Craft Ideas for Elementary Classrooms
Every classroom is different. This means some need more structured activities to keep students focused while others can be more independent. Additionally, every teacher has a different amount of time for activities outside the scripted curriculum. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to use in December.
Painting Craft Ideas for Christmas in the Classroom
On the lower-energy days in December, open painting is a simple activity that doesn’t require much prep. Provide a sheet of paper or canvas and let students create their own design. For students who need more direction, simple tree or wreath templates work well as a starting point.
Paper Craft Ideas
December is cold, but it’s magical. An extra-special Christmas activity involves snow globe writing. Students will construct a snow globe on a paper plate. If possible, print a picture of each student. Then, they can paste their picture inside the snow globe! To add writing, students can write a few sentences or a short paragraph on what they look forward to doing over break. This combines a hands-on craft with a writing component students are actually motivated to complete, and the finished pieces work well as a display before break.
Christmas Gifts to Parents from Students
Handmade gifts from students tend to mean more to parents than anything store-bought.
Students can paint a clear ornament. Or, they can have their name on it. Then, you can measure them with a ribbon. The measured ribbon will go inside the ornament. Parents will love knowing exactly how tall their child is at this age!
Handmade gifts are always the best! They will love all of the keepsakes you send home!
The activities above are designed to keep December purposeful without making the month feel like a grind for you or your students. Crafts, writing, science, and gift-making can all live alongside the standards you still need to cover.
For more ideas, see my posts on Christmas gifts students can make and Christmas classroom party games.
Jessica BOschen
Jessica is a teacher, homeschool parent, and entrepreneur. She shares her passion for teaching and education on What I Have Learned. Jessica has 16 years of experience teaching elementary school and currently homeschools her two middle and high school boys. She enjoys scaffolding learning for students, focusing on helping our most challenging learners achieve success in all academic areas.