Around this time, your class is probably buzzing with excitement and some chaos as your children are anticipating the holidays, while parents are juggling work and seasonal events, and teachers are trying to wrap up their units. Whether you are at home or in the classroom, this is the best time to blend creativity, reflection and fun into your daily activities. It will keep the next few weeks feeling purposeful and calm.
If you’re looking for no-prep, fun, and skill-building activities for December, check out my full collection of winter resources here — they’re designed to save you time and make the next few weeks of school joyful and meaningful.
The following are some special activities to make the weeks before the winter break memorable while keeping children productive and engaged.
Actionable Steps:
#1. Winter-Themed Writing Fun
Let your child’s mind get swept up in the excitement of the upcoming winter break with creative writing that’s designed for this season. Students can:
- Write letters to either real or imaginary winter characters
- Create a story about a snowman’s winter adventure
- Describe their coziest winter day
If you’d like ready-made prompts and cute seasonal templates, check out my Winter Picture Writing Prompts and Templates. They make great hallway displays and help keep kids’ writing skills sharp while having fun.
#2. Seasonal Art and Reflection
Encourage children to reflect on this time of the year by creating:
- “Snowflake Wishes” — each snowflake holds a goal or wish for the new year
- Scenic Winter — children can create art pieces that showcase their favorite winter scene
- Light A Wish – have children write a wish for the winter season on a paper light bulb, string them together and put them up as decor in your classroom. If possible, help each other come up with ways to accomplish their goals
For an easy-to-use set of winter-themed art and reflection projects, my Winter Bundle for Kindergarten to Grade 3 and my Winter Bundle for Intermediate Students are full of hands-on and no-prep activities that blend creativity with social-emotional learning.
#3. Cozy Reading
Choose a day as a class where all of you can come in wearing pajamas, bring in a blanket and enjoy reading and learning together. You’ll need to run this date by your principal to ensure that it’s okay.
Bring in some winter-themed snacks and soft lights to add to the ambiance.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The reason for focusing on specific types of activities before the winter break.
- Special activities for the weeks before winter break: winter themed writing fun, seasonal art and reflection, and cozy reading.
Free Resources:
For a meaningful Christmas activity to do with your students or on your own, download your FREE COPY BY CLICKING HERE.
Next Steps:
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
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I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
Disclaimer: I’m a teacher and a parent. I’m not a medical professional, so please don’t take this as medical advice. The advice that I provide in my videos and online are strategies that I have used in my own class or at home that have worked beautifully.
