Children of all ages and faiths can incorporate Christmas themes of giving and tradition with these fun free lesson plans. Click on the images to download and print the lesson plans using a helpful Adobe guide for troubleshooting.
Elementary Gift Wrapping Science Lesson
Kids in grades two through five become experts on gift wrapping in this simple science experiment. What is the best and fastest way to wrap a standard box? When students explore this topic, they discover the answer while showing off their teamwork and investigative skills. You'll need to gather up videos showing different methods for wrapping boxes. You might be surprised to know there are at least four distinct methods. Help each student pair standout by providing a different pattern wrapping paper for each. Use this activity as a fun way to wrap real gifts that are part of an angel tree or community donation project.
Secondary Students Create a Holiday Tradition
Middle and high school students have fun creating holiday picture books for younger kids in this creative writing activity. Christmas books that include activities families can do at home, like Elf on the Shelf, are popular because they offer modern families ideas for new holiday traditions. Challenge students to examine how these story/activity pairings are structured and why they have mass appeal. Then kids get to write their own holiday story and create an activity from that story. If you've got a reading mentor program these original books can be read to actual elementary students as a fun extension activity. Students could also display their creations in the school or local public library for other kids to check out.
More Christmas Fun
If you're looking for more lessons and activities outside the old stand-bys, check out these great resources.
- Christmas science is fun for all kids and Edventures with Kids has 30 easy ideas that incorporate holiday elements with science, technology, engineering, and math. The lessons are appropriate for preschool through middle school.
- The fun doesn't have to end after elementary school, so the National Education Association offers dozens of activities and lesson plans for kids grades 5 to 12.
- Homeschool Academy suggests several projects related to holiday themes like book reviews and historical projects for kids in elementary and secondary school. They are divided into appropriate classroom ranges.
Tis the Season to Learn
Whether you're talking about holidays from around the world or looking for new December activities, these printable lesson plans offer unique activities. Go beyond Santa, elves, and reindeer in your Christmas lesson plans with these exciting projects.
