12 Days of Christmas Lesson Plans and Activities
Christmas is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited! It’s my favorite holiday, and I love everything about it—from decorating and listening to Christmas carols to watching holiday movies and picking out the perfect gifts for everyone on my list.
There’s something extra special about seeing the joy and excitement on my students’ faces as they eagerly count down to the big day. As wonderful as this season is, every teacher knows it can also be one of the most exhausting times of the year. Keeping students focused and engaged during the holiday countdown can be a real challenge!
If you’re already feeling the pressure of planning lessons for December, you’re in the right place! I’ve put together 12 days of Christmas lesson plans and activities to help you get through those hectic weeks leading up to winter break. Whatever grade you teach, you’re sure to find something here that will make the season a little easier and a lot more fun.
1. Picture Book Digital Choice Board Bundle – December
Christmas-themed digital activities to pair with four different picture books! Use with Google Slides or SeeSaw. Purchase a single activity or get the full bundle for extra savings. Plus, print versions are now available!
2. Library No-Prep Printables Christmas Eidtion
A set of Christmas-themed, no-prep library printables, ideal for grades K-5! Topics include ABC order, the Dewey Decimal System, graphic organizers, writing, facts and opinions, figurative language, glossary usage, and genres.
3. Christmas Around the World Reading Comprehension and Activities
Students will explore Christmas and winter holiday traditions from eight different countries: Sweden, England, Iceland, France, Australia, Germany, Mexico, and Italy. This resource includes differentiated reading passages, text-dependent questions, a printable booklet, and 18 pages of writing prompts, graphic organizers, and printables.
4. Christmas Traditions Digital and Print Activities
Engage your primary students in learning about Christmas traditions in the United States and around the world with these print and digital activities. This resource includes both printable mini books and digital versions compatible with Google Slides and SeeSaw (preloaded links provided for easy access). Perfect for a comprehensive, interactive holiday lesson!
5. Christmas Author’s Purpose Google Slides Game
This editable, self-checking Christmas themed Google Slides game is a fantastic tool for reviewing author’s purpose with your students! Featuring multiple-choice questions, students can work through each question individually, allowing for discussion and feedback as you review answers together. It can also be used for whole-group activities in the classroom or library. This interactive game makes learning fun and engaging!
6. Christmas ELA Review Google Slides Game
This editable, self-checking Christmas-themed Google Slides game is perfect for reviewing a variety of ELA skills with your students! Covering topics like figurative language, context clues, story elements, synonyms and antonyms, and genres, the game features multiple-choice questions that students can work through individually. It’s also ideal for whole-group activities in the classroom or library, providing opportunities for discussion and feedback as you review answers together. This interactive, holiday-themed game makes learning both fun and engaging!
7. Reindeer Reading Comprhension Nonfiction Task Cards and Activities
Introduce your students to facts about reindeer (or caribou) with this engaging reading comprehension nonfiction activity pack. This resource includes reading comprehension task cards, graphic organizers, worksheets, and a variety of writing prompts. Perfect for exploring nonfiction topics, it offers a range of comprehension activities that make learning about reindeer both educational and fun.
This bundle includes four gingerbread-themed picture book reading comprehension choice boards with engaging activities to complement the story. Ues with Google Slides or SeeSaw, each choice board comes with a preloaded SeeSaw link for easy access. Every digital choice board offers six unique, interactive activities designed to enhance students’ comprehension and enjoyment of the book. This resource has been updated to include printable versions, so you’ll also receive print-ready worksheets for classroom use! Perfect for adding variety to your holiday reading lessons.
9. Winter Holidays and Christmas Around the World BUNDLE – Print and Digital
Introduce your elementary students to five fascinating winter and Christmas holidays celebrated worldwide with this engaging resource. Ideal for “Christmas Around the World” and December units, these mini books and digital slides are designed for Kindergarten and 1st-grade students, providing both print and interactive digital options to enrich your holiday curriculum.
10. Christmas Bingo Games | Jokes and Riddles and Traditional Bingo for Holiday Parties
This set includes two fun and easy-to-play Christmas bingo games, perfect for holiday parties, Christmas celebrations, or anytime you want to keep your students engaged during the last few days before break. It includes Jokes and Riddles Bingo and Traditional Bingo, each with 30 calling cards.
11. As Cool as It Gets by Jory John- Reading Companion Activites
Engage your students with these fun, educational worksheets for the picture book As Cool as It Gets by Jory John. This set includes 9 companion worksheets and printables designed to help students practice story retelling, sequencing events, vocabulary, and more. The activities cover sequencing, story vocabulary, recalling events, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Thumbnails are provided to show each included page.
12. Snowmen At Christmas Book Companion Read Aloud Activities
After reading Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner, use these engaging reading and literacy activities to reinforce key skills. This comprehensive pack includes graphic organizers, printables, writing prompts, reading comprehension activities, 24 comprehension cards, a game board, and a recording sheet. Perfect for small group work or as a center activity for fast finishers.
I hope you find these Christmas lesson plans and activities both useful and engaging for your classroom!