How to Celebrate an Inclusive Holiday Season at Your Daycare Center – Crafts, Activities and More
Ah, the holiday season! That magical time of the year when daycares transform into wonderlands of tinsel, twinkling lights, holiday crafts and endless cheer. While often busy, this time of year can also be an opportunity to add daily joy, create memories, and maybe even develop a few traditions that last a lifetime. During this season, it’s also important to think in terms of inclusivity so that you can ensure all children at your center feel involved. The holiday season is also a wonderful opportunity for kids (and staff) to learn about other cultures and celebrations. Here are some creative ways to celebrate an inclusive holiday season at your daycare center.
1. Festive Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are the bread and butter of daycare holiday celebrations.These fun little projects engage children’s creativity, while also providing tangible mementos of the season. Pinterest is a goldmine when it comes to craft ideas because there is something for everyone there, from Christmas to Hanukkah to Ramadan to Chinese New year. Check out our holiday celebrations board for some good ideas! Here are a few easy and festive projects:
- Handprint Wreaths: Paint little hands green and have kiddos press their prints in a circle on large sheets of paper. Add red pom-poms and bows to complete the wreath. This is also the perfect gift for little kids to give to family members!
- Chinese Cherry Blossom Fans: Grab some construction paper and pink or red paint. Have kids use their thumbs or fingers to create the cherry blossoms, and markers or crayons to finish the flowers. Next, teach kids how to fold it accordion-style into a fan, and voila! Beautiful paper fans to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
- Snow Globe Jars: Fill small jars with glitter, water, and a plastic figurine or mini evergreen tree. Close tightly and shake to watch the magic. Who doesn’t love a snow globe?
- Ramadan Lantern Craft: All you need for this beautiful craft is black card stock or construction paper, contact/sticky paper, and some coloured tissue paper. Cut out the lantern shapes ahead of time. Place contact paper on the back and then cover with small pieces of tissue paper. Turn it over and you have a gorgeous colourful lantern! Nurture Store has step-by-step instructions.
- Upcycled Menorah: Use empty toilet paper rolls to create a child-friendly menorah to display in the classroom. Have children decorate the rolls with coloured paper, markers, paint, washi tape, you name it. Next, tuck yellow tissue paper “flames” into the cardboard rolls to create the look of candles.
- Holiday Cards for Family: Provide colored paper, stickers, and plenty of glitter. Children can create personalized holiday cards for their families.
- Ornaments for the Tree: There is no shortage of adorable kid-made ornaments you can make for the Christmas tree. Think about incorporating little one’s fingerprints for an added sweet element that parents will appreciate for years to come. Check out No Toy Gifts for plenty of ideas! This reindeer handprint craft by Buggy and Buddy is adorable!
2. Themed Story Time
The magic of storytelling shines even brighter during the holiday season, and thankfully, there are so many wonderful books to choose from. Select books that highlight various cultural celebrations, like “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats, or “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” by Eric Kimmel. Make it extra special with:
- Costumed Reading: Dress up as characters from the stories or wear seasonal attire to set the mood.
- Interactive Props: Use puppets, felt boards, or stuffed animals to bring the story to life.
- Holiday Show: Think about incorporating elements from everyone’s celebrations into a unique play put on by the kids themselves. They can help make props and older kids can work on practicing lines or songs to sing all together. You can showcase this fun little play or show to parents before the holiday break, perhaps as part of your winter holiday family celebration or get-together.
3. Holiday Music and Movement
Children love music, and it’s a great way to burn off some of that boundless energy! Play a variety of holiday tunes and involve the kids in:
- Dance Parties: Nothing lifts spirits like a good dance party! Turn on holiday classics and let the little ones boogie to the beat. Ask kids to share their favourite songs so you can be sure to include everyone in the dance parties.
- Musical Instruments Parade: Hand out jingle bells, tambourines, and hand drums. Encourage children to march around the room in a joyful noise parade.
- Sing-Alongs: Simple holiday classics like “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman” can be great fun, even more so when you add some interactive actions.
4. Inclusive Holiday Displays
Celebrate the diversity of your daycare community by showcasing different holiday traditions. Create display boards or tables featuring various cultural festivities, such as Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah. You may also think about encouraging parents to share stories, foods, or decorations from their traditions. Ask older children to share their favourite traditions with their classmates.
5. Holiday-Themed Sensory Bins
Sensory play is a fantastic tactile experience for children. IThis type of plat also has a wonderful calming effect, which can be necessary for emotional regulation during the busy holiday season. Create holiday-themed or winter-themed sensory bins. Here are a few great examples.
- Winter Wonderland: Use rice or cotton balls (snow), mini trees, and plastic snowflakes.
- Gingerbread Sensory Bin: Fill with gingerbread playdough and cookie cutters. Or add some coloured brown rice, gingerbread cookie cutters and pom poms.
- Hanukkah Bin: Use blue and white rice, dreidels, and gelt (chocolate coins).
- Penguin Sensory Bin: Kids can learn all about the Arctic and penguins with this fun penguin sensory bin from Mess for less. Dyed rice, cotton balls, a few simple penguins and other items and you have a fun activity for kids of all ages!
6. Baking and Cooking Activities
There’s something incredibly heartwarming about holiday baking with little ones. Easy and delicious activities include:
- Decorating Cookies: Pre-bake simple shapes and let the children go wild with icing and sprinkles.
- Mini Gingerbread Houses: Build with graham crackers, frosting, and various candies.
- Hot Chocolate Station: Have a variety of add-ins like marshmallows, whipped cream, and peppermint sticks. Ensure it cools enough for young ones to enjoy safely.
7. Giving Back
Teach the spirit of giving by involving the children in charitable activities:
- Toy Drive: Collect new toys to donate to local shelters or children’s hospitals.
- Card Making for Seniors: Partner with a local senior living facility to send holiday cards to residents. This is such a win-win for the kids and seniors.
Conclusion
The holiday season is about more than just festive decorations and sugary treats. It’s also a wonderful time for togetherness, creativity, and joy. By implementing these creative and inclusive holiday celebration ideas for kids, you’ll not only brighten your daycare but also create lasting memories and instill valuable lessons in the little hearts under your care. Happy Holidays!
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