Christmas
Activities & Crafts
You’re
all set for Christmas
The stockings are up, the Christmas tree is decorated, and everyone
has a present under the tree. But are you missing something? What
does Christmas really mean? Is it all about getting presents and
eating candy canes and waiting up for Santa Claus?
The
word “Christmas” gives us some hints about what Christmas
was originally about. It started off with the birth of Jesus Christ,
over two thousand years ago in the country of Israel.
Jesus’
birth is very important to Christians around the world who believes
that Jesus is the Son of God. They celebrate Christmas like a
big birthday party, that’s why they give gifts to each other,
because Jesus was born on that day.
Families
all over North America celebrate Christmas in all sorts of ways.
Some families put up lots of lights all over their houses, and
decorations to celebrate the holiday. Maybe your family buys you
lots of presents and puts them under the Christmas tree, or maybe
you go to a church service. Maybe you don’t celebrate Christmas
at all.
The
most important thing to remember when you’re thinking about
Christmas is that it’s not just about presents or Santa
Claus or singing carols. Christmas marks a very important historic
event. You can read the actual Christmas story in Matthew or Luke
in the Bible, and maybe this Christmas you can think about the
holiday in a slightly new way.
Popcorn
Garland
Age:
3 and Up
Mess: Medium
Material: Popcorn, child safe needle and yarn
Instructions: Make popcorn and let it cool. Give
the children a long piece of yarn and a child safe needle (plastic
and big). Have the children thread the popcorn onto the yarn to
make garland.
Fingerprint
Tree
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: High
Material: Paper, scissors, non-toxic stamp pad
and a pencil
Instructions: Draw a Christmas Tree on the piece
of paper then cut out the tree. Then using the non-toxic stamp
pad put fingerprints (Christmas Ornaments and lights) on the tree.
Paper
Ring Garland
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: High
Material: Paper, scissors, non-toxic stamp pad
and a pencil
Instructions: Draw a Christmas Tree on the piece
of paper then cut out the tree. Then using the non-toxic stamp
pad put fingerprints (Christmas Ornaments and lights) on the tree.
Christmas
Cookbook
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: Paper and crayons or markers,
Instructions: This activity is good for groups
such as a classroom. Take the children aside one by one and ask
them, "What is your favorite Christmas food?" Then ask
them "How do you make that?" Write down word for word
their responses. You may find it helpful to tape record the responses
so you can get it all down. Then compile all of the responses
in a recipe book. You then make copies for the parents to take
home or make one copy so that the parents may enjoy it.
Gift
Hide and Seek
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: None
Instructions: If you allow your children to open
one present on Christmas Eve this is a great way to ad some excitement
to it. Hide the child’s gift somewhere then tell the child
whether they are "hot" or "cold" to the relation
of the gift. It is a good idea to discuss the meaning of hot and
cold before you play this game.
Christmas
Gift Scavenger Hunt
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: Paper and pencil
Instructions: This activity is similar to “Gift
Hide and Seek” except the children need to find clues that
lead them to the location of the gift. Create 5 to 7 clues that
each direct to the location of the next clue. As the child finds
each clue location they are eventually led to the location of
their gift.
Paper
Snowman Art
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: High
Material: Black and white paper, scissors, glue,
markers or crayons
Instructions: Give the children one sheet of
black paper and one sheet of white paper. On the white paper,
have 1 small, 1 medium and 1 large circle drawn. Have the children
cut out the circles and glue onto the black paper to make a snowman.
Have them decorate their snowman with markers or crayons.
Santa
List Collage
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: High
Material: Toy Catalogs, glue, scissors and paper
Instructions: Supply the children with toy magazines
and have them cut out what they would like for Christmas. Glue
the pictures onto a piece of paper for a collage that they will
mail to Santa.
Stockings
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: Medium
Material: Old socks, paper, glue, paint, ribbon
and whatever else you can think to decorate with.
Instructions: Help your child make a homemade
stocking for the fireplace. Take a clean (hole free) sock and
let your child decorate it with ribbons, bows, lace and whatever
else you can think of.
Pine
Cone Ornaments
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: High
Material: Pine Cones, Yarn, Glue, Ribbons, Sparkles,
Paper and Scissors
Instructions: Collect pine cones from outside
and have the children decorate them with the supplies you provide
to create homemade ornaments for the Christmas Tree.
Hand
Wreath
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: High
Material: Green and Red Paper, Glue and Paper
Plates
Instructions: Trace the child's hands several
times onto a piece of green paper. Have the children cut out these
hand shapes. Supply each child with a paper plate and show them
how to cut out the center of the plate (Younger ones will need
this done for them). Have the children glue their green hands
shapes onto the plate to make a wreath. For added color have them
cut small circles in the red paper to make holly.
Santa's
Reindeer Mask
Age: 4 and Up
Mess: High
Material: Paper Plate, Brown Paper, Scissors,
Yarn, Pencil, Tape and Crayons
Instructions: Trace each child's hands onto a
piece of brown paper then have the child cut out these hands.
On the paper plate have your child draw a reindeer face on the
plate and color it all in brown. With your help have the child
cut out the the eyes. Take the pencil and carefully punch two
holes on the plate. One on each side. With two pieces of yarn
tie the yarn into the holes and secure it with a piece of tape.
Tape the hands on the plate for antlers. Tie in the back and you
have a homemade Reindeer mask.
Home
Made Christmas Cards
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: High
Material: Paper (Construction Paper is best),
crayons, ribbon, bows and whatever else you can think of.
Instructions: Fold the piece of construction
paper in half and provide the child with a variety of materials,
wrapping paper, paper, glitter, ribbons, bows, and let them make
a holiday card for someone special.
Cotton
Snow Ball Toss
Age: 3 and Up
Mess: Low
Material: Cotton Balls and an Empty Trash Can
or Bucket.
Instructions: Younger ones love this, especially
if you let them win. Have the little ones stand a certain distance
from the bin and have them try and toss the cotton snow balls
into the bin. Try different distances, then with eyes close, spin
around and do it and whatever else you can think of.
