It’s that time of year again! People are pulling out their Christmas trees, carols are on rotation and shopping centres are decked out with festive trimmings. This can only mean one thing… it’s time to get into the festive spirit of Christmas at your childcare.
But just because you’re putting a seasonal spin on your regular programming doesn’t mean toddlers have to miss out on educational and developmental benefits. In fact, the silly season is the perfect opportunity to get creative andengage toddlers in age-appropriate activities that still promote learning, imagination and social interaction.
So, if you’re looking for a bit of festive inspiration to guide your Christmas activities, we’ve pulled together some fun and easy Christmas activities tailored for toddlers in childcare.
Creative craft ideas for group engagement
Activities that encourage group engagement provide the perfect opportunity for toddlers to develop and practice important foundational skills. From socialisation and communication to problem-solving and cooperation, here are some Christmas activities you can use to support group engagement.
Handprint Christmas trees
Handprinted Christmas trees are a fun and easy way to keep your childcare group entertained while helping toddlers build fine motor skills and coordination. It also provides a keepsake for parents to cherish, or you can showcase the children’s artwork in the centre, enhancing the child’s sense of accomplishment and confidence.
All you need are non-toxic paints and paper or card for the children to work on and aprons for the kids to minimise the mess as much as possible.
Holiday greeting cards
Parents and family members love to receive handmade cards from the little ones in their lives, so why not set up a Christmas card station? You’ll just need to provide materials like paper, non-toxic markers, crayons and stickers for children to make and decorate their Christmas cards.
Once they’ve finished crafting their cards, you can also get the kids involved in writing messages for their parents to help them develop early language and literacy skills.
Collective ornament making
Most children love to get involved with decorating the Christmas tree at home and their childcare facility. Ornament making or decorating activities help children build fine motor skills and coordination as they grasp, decorate and hang ornaments. It also encourages decision-making and creativity.
Set up a small, child-friendly Christmas tree with soft, unbreakable ornaments that toddlers can decorate, place and rearrange. You can use simple materials, like paper plates, foam balls or felt, as a base for decorating.
Sensory play for group exploration
Sensory play activities support several key areas of growth and learning, making them an important part of early childhood experiences. Here’s how you can incorporate sensory play into your Christmas activities.
Christmas sensory bin
Create sensory bins filled with items like fake snow, small ornaments, jingle bells and soft pinecones. You can even add festive scents like cinnamon or peppermint for a full sensory experience.
Sensory bins promote discovery, exploration and cognitive development as the children experience different textures and smells. It also helps with language development as they learn new words to describe their experience.
Scented play dough station
A scented play dough station is another fun and easy way to incorporate sensory experience into your Christmas activities. Once again, you can add colouring and scents to enhance the sensory experience and really embrace the Christmas theme.
Set up a play dough corner where toddlers can explore together. Provide festive-themed cutters and other decorations to help children build dexterity.
Storytime for building connections
While it can be fun to put on activities that allow children to get their hands dirty and encourage creativity, it’s important to balance their time in care with other activities, like storytime. This can help to develop connections and early language skills.
Engaging Christmas-themed books
There are so many incredible Christmas-themed books that you can use for storytime with your group of toddlers. And while storytime can help to boost language and literacy skills, it can often help to make storytime interactive by using props or asking questions as you read the story.
Puppet storytelling with the group
For a truly interactive story experience, why not craft some puppets based on the characters in the book you’re reading? Children can use these puppets to act out the story as a group. This helps to support social-emotional development as children learn to participate in group activities.
Christmas-book themed dress up day
After reading a selection of different books during storytime, consider organising a dress-up day where children can wear Santa hats, reindeer antlers or elf outfits. This encourages imaginative play, which is essential for social and emotional development. Not to mention, dressing up fosters self-expression and confidence.
Group music and movement activities
Incorporating music and movement activities in childcare not only enriches children’s educational experiences but also builds foundational skills and emotional well-being, creating a joyful, engaging learning environment.
Here’s how you can put a Christmas spin on your usual group music and movement activities.
Christmas sing-along sessions
Sing holiday songs like “Jingle Bells” or “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to support language and literacy skills through repetition and rhythm. Take your sing-along sessions to the next level by incorporating simple movements or instruments. Dancing, clapping and playing instruments can help children develop coordination, balance and body awareness.
Holiday dance party
If you have the means, putting on a Christmas-themed dance party can be a great way to embrace the festive spirit. Create a festive atmosphere with decorations and music and encourage the children to express themselves through movement in a group setting.
Alternatively, you could put on a Christmas morning tea and invite parents and family members. This can be a great opportunity to showcase the children’s work and display the crafts they’ve been working on in the lead-up to Christmas.
Collaborative group activities
Incorporating collaborative group activities in childcare is essential for supporting young children’s social, emotional and cognitive growth. There are plenty of group-based activities you can include as part of your festive programming. Here’s a couple that you might like to throw into the mix.
Decorating a community Christmas tree
If the children have been decorating Christmas ornaments, why not set up a community Christmas tree for your class to display their creations? As the children work to decorate the tree together, they’ll have the opportunity to develop essential social skills like sharing, cooperating, taking turns and respecting others’ perspectives.
Group cookie decorating activity
Another fun and easy activity to encourage teamwork and collaboration is cookie decorating. Plus, what toddler doesn't love an activity that ends in a tasty treat? Set up a decorating station complete with plain cookies, frosting and safe decorations for children to decorate their cookies.
Here, children can work together and share supplies. By working with others, children are exposed to new ideas and creative approaches. It’s also a great way to encourage cooperation and patience.
The silly season is the perfect time to switch up your usual childcare programs in favour of fun, festive-themed activities. Not only do these activities play a key role in fostering community, creativity and learning in childcare settings, but they also provide an opportunity to embrace the festive spirit.
For more Christmas-themed ideas with eco-friendly crafts, check out our blog inspired by the Empowered Educator.
