Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I love everything about it—the lights, the music, the movies, spending time with my family, and most importantly, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Planning Christmas lessons is relatively easy. There are so many fun crafts, ornaments, and games to play! Below, you’ll find a few weeks of Christmas lesson plans that I have been doing with my toddler and activities I did in my preschool classroom. She has loved the different themes and learning about the true meaning of Jesus! These are simple activities that don’t take much prep or thought. These lesson plans are designed to help you teach your child and celebrate Christmas together.
I like to keep a consistent routine with certain activities. It helps my daughter know what to expect. For example, Thursdays are always letter pancake day! This activity combines hands-on fun with learning by helping children recognize and associate letters with words, all while enjoying a delicious treat.
This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. I earn from qualifying purchases through the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. The links are in bold.
Week 1: Christmas Theme
Monday
- Introduce Letters D and/or C: Show your child the letter D for December or C for Christmas. We use a Magna Doodle to write and erase easily without dealing with loose papers. I write the letter on the Magna Doodle and we talk about what it looks like and start thinking of a few words she uses in her daily life that begin with that letter. For example: Daddy begins with D and we have a dog and we talk about how D is for dog
- Playdough Christmas Shapes: Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes with playdough. This simple activity keeps my daughter entertained for about 30 minutes.
Tuesday
- Letter D or C Songs: We enjoy two specific letter songs on YouTube. One teaches letter sounds (Have Fun Teaching Video) and writing for older kids, while the other is perfect for younger ones (Super Simple Songs). My three-year-old likes them both as they have catching tunes and are interactive.
- Christmas Tree with Toilet Paper Rolls: Use cardboard tubes and green paint to create a tree in the morning, and add ornaments and lights in the afternoon with pom poms and q-tips. This split activity is easy and enjoyable.
Wednesday
- Tracing and Writing: Practice writing the weekly letter on a Magna Doodle. I sit with my daughter to ensure she’s forming the letters correctly. I have her trace it first and then we practice with her writing it on her own.
- Candy Cane Ornament: Thread red and white beads onto pipe cleaners to make candy cane ornaments. This will introduce simple patterns and help with fine motor skills.
Thursday
- Letter Pancakes: Make pancakes in the shape of the weekly letter using letter cookie cutters. While I am cooking the pancakes, we will listen to the letter of the week songs, again.
- Shape Sort and Find: Trace blocks onto paper and have your child match them. I did this in my preschool classroom and the kids loved it. My daughter loves repeating this activity, as well.
Friday
- Color by Letter: Use this festive color-by-letter pages to engage your child. I pre-color the crayons at the top to guide my daughter on how to match the colors.
Week 2: Gingerbread Theme
This week’s activities combine the excitement of gingerbread with fun learning opportunities.
Monday
- Introduce Letter G for Gingerbread: Use a Magna Doodle or anything you have on hand to write the letter. Talk about words that begin with that letter.
- Gingerbread Playdough Mats: Decorate gingerbread playdough mats. You can even make gingerbread-scented playdough using this recipe.
Tuesday
- Letter G Songs: Use Have Fun Teaching and Super Simple Songs to learn more words that begin with the letter G.
- Gingerbread Number Puzzles: Teach number recognition with this fun gingerbread printable. Start with numbers 1–5 and work up as your child is ready. Laminate for extra durability.
Wednesday
- Tracing and Writing: Practice writing the letter G and Christmas words like Gingerbread and Gift.
- Gingerbread House: Create a gingerbread house using graham crackers, icing, and candy. This cost-effective hands-on activity is a favorite.
- Directions:
- Use the icing to bond the graham crackers together to make a house, Once, you made the house, put some icing on the candies and stick them to the house.
- Directions:
Thursday
- Letter G Pancakes: Make pancakes shaped like the letter G using cookie cutters while listening to letter songs.
- Gingerbread Stamping: Use cookie cutters to stamp gingerbread shapes on paper, then decorate them.
Friday
- Color by Letter Coloring Page: TotSchooling Color by Letter Pages
Week 3: Nativity Theme
This is the week before Christmas and a perfect time to talk about the Nativity story. There are lots of opportunities for learning and creating crafts while having fun!
Monday
- Introduce Letter N for Nativity: Write the letter N on a Magna Doodle or whatever you have on hand. Discuss N is for Nativity and for Nana. List any other words your child might know that begin with an N.
- Nativity Story with Little People Playset: Act out the nativity story using the set while discussing the birth of Jesus.
Tuesday
- Letter N Songs: Use Have Fun Teaching and Super Simple Songs to introduce other words that begin with the letter N.
- Angel Ornament: Create an angel ornament using your child’s handprint. Use your child’s hand prints for the wings and cut a white body and head using construction paper to glue on top of their hands. Use pipe cleaner to fasten a loop to be able to hand it on the tree.
Wednesday
- Tracing and Writing: Practice writing the letter N and nativity-related words like Mary, Joseph, and Manger.
- Tell the Nativity Story: Encourage your child to retell the story using the playset.
Thursday
- Letter N Pancakes: Make pancakes shaped like the letter N or Christmas-themed cookie cutters.
- Nativity Fingerprint Craft: Create a fingerprint nativity scene together. Free instructions HERE
Friday
- Nativity Handprint Craft: Make a handprint or footprint craft to hang on your Christmas tree. Check out how to do this [HERE].
- Watch GoMinno Nativity Story: Visualize the nativity story with this engaging video.
These lesson plans are a wonderful way to spend time with your child while teaching them about the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoy the season and the joy it brings to your family!
Do you have favorite Christmas activities you’d love to share? Let me know in the comments below!
