The holiday season is a perfect opportunity to bring joy, creativity, and learning together in your classroom. Whether you're teaching preschoolers or high school students, there are endless ways to create memorable experiences that celebrate the spirit of Christmas.
Here’s a collection of ideas to inspire you this season.

Elf on the Shelf

Elf on the shelf is a whimsical way to bring Christmas cheer and creativity into the classroom. It’s not just about hiding the elf—it’s about integrating fun, surprises, and learning into your daily activities. Here are some engaging Elf on the Shelf ideas for your classroom:
"Caught You Being Good": The elf can leave a note praising specific students or the whole class for good behaviour.
Rule Reminder: Pose the elf with a mini chalkboard or whiteboard that highlights a class rule, such as "Remember to raise your hand!" or "Clean up after yourself."
Math with the Elf: Pose the elf with a math riddle or problem for the students to solve. For example, “The elf needs to pack 12 presents in 3 boxes. How many presents go in each box?”
Spelling Elf: Scatter letter tiles around the elf and challenge the class to find the letters and spell holiday-themed words.
Compliment Cards: The elf can leave blank compliment cards for students to write something nice about a classmate.

Festive STEM Challenges

Build a Gingerbread House: Incorporate engineering by having students build sturdy gingerbread structures. Use graham crackers and icing if gingerbread isn’t available.
Santa’s Sleigh Challenge: Have students design a “sleigh” out of recycled materials and test how much weight it can carry.
Ice Science Experiment: Explore why salt melts ice by creating "ice ornaments" with strings and coloured water.

Movie and hot chocolate day

Dedicate a cozy afternoon to watching a family-friendly Christmas movie like Elf, A Charlie Brown Christmas, or Frosty the Snowman. Pair it with hot chocolate (or a healthier snack alternative) for added cheer.

Fun and games

Christmas Bingo: Use Christmas-themed images or vocabulary for a fun classroom bingo game.
Holiday Pictionary: Incorporate festive words and phrases into a lively game of Pictionary.
“Guess the Ornament” Game: Put an ornament or small holiday item in a box, and let students ask yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.

Decorate your classroom together

Collaborative Paper Chains: Create a colourful chain where each student decorates a link with their Christmas wish or a positive message. String them up around the room for a personal touch.
DIY Ornaments: Provide craft supplies for students to make unique ornaments. Hang them on a classroom tree or a designated “holiday wall.”
Window Art: Use window markers or washable paint to let students draw snowflakes, stars, or Christmas scenes on your classroom windows.

With these ideas, you can turn your classroom into a festive, joyful space that embraces the spirit of Christmas while keeping students engaged and learning. Remember to keep the activities inclusive, fun, and stress-free, focusing on building memories and celebrating kindness and community.

By weaving holiday magic into your lessons, you’ll create an unforgettable classroom experience that leaves students excited for learning and filled with the holiday spirit.