It’s that time of year again! Exciting indeed. However, if you have toddlers or preschoolers, that special time of year can seem all the more chaotic! It’s a great idea to plan out some toddler Christmas activities for them.
In this article, I’ll share some of the most useful Christmas activities at home that you can arrange for your toddler. If you’re a kindergarten teacher, you’ll be happy to know that these are also great Christmas activities for your kindergarten students!
Before we start though, we know the different things that Christmas might represent for us adults and the true meaning of the season. What does it mean for toddlers?
What is Christmas for toddlers?
For toddlers, Christmas is a magical time filled with sensory delights, new experiences and joyful discoveries. It’s all about exploring traditions, engaging in age-appropriate activities and experiencing the wonder of the holiday season through their curious eyes. While they may not fully grasp the deeper meaning or all the traditions of Christmas, toddlers revel in the sights, sounds and sensations that make this time of year so special.
READ: Easy family traditions you can establish today
What can I do with my toddler at Christmas?
From sensory fun to creative crafts, here’s a guide to making the most of this season with toddler Christmas activities.
1. Festive crafts and art projects
Crafting is a fantastic way to keep your toddler engaged while creating keepsakes for the family. Simple and age-appropriate activities are best.
- Handprint ornaments. Use salt dough or air-dry clay to create ornaments with your toddler’s handprint. Paint and decorate them together.
- Paper snowflakes. While toddlers may not master intricate designs, they’ll love helping to fold paper and “snip” with safety scissors.
- DIY wrapping paper. Provide large sheets of plain paper and let your toddler decorate them with stamps, stickers or finger paints.
2. Baking and kitchen fun
The kitchen is a wonderful space for bonding and learning during Christmas. Get your toddler involved in simple tasks.
- Christmas cookies. Let them sprinkle sugar or press cookie cutters into dough.
- Decorate Gingerbread houses. Pre-made kits are perfect for little hands. Help them squeeze icing and place candies. HERE are some of the prettiest Gingerbread House ideas for you to work on this year.
- Hot chocolate making. Teach them to add marshmallows or stir their cup. It’s a small but magical task for a toddler.
These Christmas activities at home turn ordinary days into holiday memories.
3. Sensory play with a holiday twist
Sensory activities captivate toddlers and bring Christmas to life in a hands-on way.
- Holiday sensory bins. Create a bin with faux snow, jingle bells, mini ornaments and scoops for exploration.
- Christmas Playdough. Add glitter and festive scents like peppermint or cinnamon to homemade playdough.
- Frozen treats. Freeze small toys or holiday-themed trinkets in ice cubes and let your toddler “rescue” them with warm water.
Not only do these activities entertain but they also help with sensory development.
4. Storytime and music
Introduce your toddler to the magic of Christmas stories and songs. These are perfect Christmas activities at home for winding down after a busy day.
- Books. Choose classics like The Polar Express or interactive stories with flaps and textures.
- Sing-alongs. Start with favorites like Jingle Bells or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Add fun instruments like tambourines or maracas.
- Christmas audiobooks. These can play softly in the background during crafts or quiet time.
This blend of toddler Christmas activities encourages early literacy and a love for music.
5. Outdoor adventures and lights
Even chilly days can be fun with the right outdoor activities.
- Visit Christmas light displays. Stroll through local neighborhoods or parks with dazzling displays. Toddlers are mesmerized by twinkling lights.
- Snow fun. If you have snow, build snowmen, make snow angels, or take a sled ride.
- Nature walks. Gather pine cones and holly to use in decorations at home.
These outings balance the coziness of Christmas activities at home with the excitement of exploration.
6. Include Kindergarten-level activities
If you have older siblings or want to extend your toddler’s learning, integrate Christmas activities for Kindergarten into your plans.
- Sorting games. Use colored ornaments or candy canes for sorting by size or color.
- Simple counting activities. Count how many stockings are hung or how many ornaments go on the tree.
- Group crafts. Let your toddler “help” older kids with more complex crafts, such as creating garlands or decorating cards.
GET: Kids Coloring Fun Pack: 10 Printable Coloring Sheets for Creative Play
7. Create family traditions
Christmas is the perfect time to establish traditions that grow with your toddler.
- Christmas Eve box. Fill a box with pajamas, a book and a small toy. Get ideas for your Christmas Eve box HERE.
- Family movie night. Choose age-appropriate holiday classics like Frosty the Snowman.
- Photo tradition. Take a festive photo in the same spot each year to track how your little one grows.
These simple toddler Christmas activities build anticipation for the holidays.
Whether you’re planning a quiet day of Christmas activities at home or incorporating Christmas activities for kindergarten into the mix, the key is to make it fun, engaging, and focused on your toddler’s enjoyment. With a bit of creativity, this holiday season can be one your little one (and your family) remembers forever.
How to make Xmas Magical for Kids
While toddlers and young kids might not fully understand the season, they can still be swept up in its sparkle and charm. To truly make this Christmas magical, try these unique and enchanting ideas that go beyond the ordinary, giving your little ones a holiday season they’ll never forget.
1. Transform your home into a Winter Wonderland
Kids love surprises and transformations so turning your home into a festive wonderland can feel like stepping into a Christmas story.
- Snowy windowsills. Spray fake snow or use cotton batting on windowsills and tabletops to create a frosty effect. Add mini lights for extra sparkle.
- Magical Christmas path. Line the hallway or driveway with glowing lanterns, fairy lights or candy-cane decorations leading to the tree or a surprise Christmas display.
- Indoor starry night. Hang glow-in-the-dark stars or string lights on the ceiling to make bedtime magical and festive.
2. Host a Christmas Treasure hunt
Nothing says magical like a little adventure! Set up a treasure hunt in your house or garden with clues and surprises.
- Santa’s Clues. Write simple rhymes leading kids to the next hiding spot. For toddlers, use pictures or colors instead of words.
- Holiday trinkets. Hide Christmas-themed items like small ornaments, jingle bells or wrapped chocolates.
- The final surprise. End the hunt with a special treat, like a Christmas book, a toy or a festive snack.
3. Create a “Reindeer landing Station” outside
Bring Santa’s story to life by preparing for his reindeer. Before bed on Christmas Eve, involve your kids in this magical tradition.
- Reindeer food. Mix oats with edible glitter (or sprinkles) for your kids to sprinkle outside to “guide the reindeer.”
- Hoof prints. Use a stencil or your own creativity to make “reindeer prints” in the snow or mud. If there’s no snow, use flour or chalk powder.
- Magic lights. Place a solar-powered lantern or glow stick outside as a beacon for Santa.
4. Enchant their senses with a Christmas smellscape
Children experience magic through their senses, so create a cozy and festive environment with holiday scents.
- Cinnamon sticks and oranges. Simmer cinnamon sticks, orange peels and cloves in water on the stove to fill your home with the smell of Christmas.
- DIY Scented Playdough. Add festive scents like peppermint or vanilla to playdough for a sensory activity that toddlers will love.
- Christmas candles. Use flameless candles with scents like pine or gingerbread for a safe and sensory-rich experience.
5. Build a Personalized Christmas countdown
Counting down the days to Christmas can build excitement and anticipation for kids.
- Activity Advent calendar. Create a DIY calendar with a festive activity for each day. Examples include decorating cookies, watching a Christmas movie or making holiday crafts.
- Countdown crafts. Let toddlers create their own paper chain to tear off one link each day.
- Christmas story countdown. Wrap 24 Christmas-themed books and read one each night leading up to the big day.
6. Create a Christmas shadow show
Turn a quiet evening into a magical storytelling experience with a Christmas shadow show.
- DIY shadow puppets. Cut out holiday shapes (reindeer, sleigh, Santa) and attach them to sticks or spoons.
- Light it up. Use a flashlight or lamp behind a white sheet to cast the puppets’ shadows.
- Interactive stories. Let your kids join in by creating their own characters or making sound effects.
7. Introduce Magical Christmas characters
Make the season come alive with whimsical holiday visitors.
- Elf surprises. If you’re doing Elf on the Shelf, get creative with their antics! Toddlers will love finding the elf “fishing” in the sink or “making snow angels” in flour.
- Santa letters. Write a personalized letter from Santa, complete with gold stickers or glitter, to leave under their pillow.
- Fairy doors. Install a tiny “Christmas fairy” door and leave small notes or gifts from the fairies throughout December.
These magical touches turn toddler Christmas activities into a whimsical experience.
8. Plan a Christmas camp-in
Transform an ordinary evening into a magical Christmas camp-in.
- Christmas tent. Set up a tent or fort in the living room, decorated with fairy lights and tinsel.
- Festive snacks. Serve hot cocoa, marshmallows and Christmas cookies for a cozy evening.
- Holiday stories. Read Christmas tales or watch a family-friendly holiday movie from inside the tent.
9. Magic in Giving back
Teach kids about the joy of giving and helping others during the holidays.
- Toy donation. Let your toddler or kindergartener pick out toys they’d like to donate to children in need.
- Homemade cards. Create festive cards for neighbors, nursing homes or shelters.
- Kindness Advent calendar. Each day, perform a small act of kindness as a family like baking cookies for a neighbor or leaving a kind note.
Not only does this create magical moments but it also instills lifelong values of compassion and generosity.
The ultimate goal is to create an atmosphere of love, joy and wonder that will leave your little ones glowing with holiday magic.
So which of these ideas do you plan to implement for your toddler this magical Christmas?
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