Fall &Winter Holiday Chaos

Holidays can be hectic times for toddlers, preschoolers and adults alike.  But it’s important to involve young children in family and community traditions and celebrations. These holiday preschool activities and toys will help keep things calm while still providing meaningful fun during the season.

Felt Sets!

My felt sets are the epitome of a quiet winter’s day! Noise = stimulation.  Felt = no noise.  Great for everyone during this busy and often loud time of year!

I’ve got some fun sets that are perfect holiday preschool activities to build fine motor, early literacy and math skills:

 

Hanukkah felt board set on mat

This Hanukkah set—so kids can pretend to cook latkes, light the menorah without the fire hazard (!), and become familiar with Jewish symbols and traditions.

And several sets that are perfect for holiday storytimes or for kids to use independently…  We’re talking Thanksgiving, Diwali, Christmas, and Kwanzaa fun!

felt snata, elf and more on desk with lyrics
Kwanzaa Felt Board with lyrics
Felt Christmas tree and ornaments on desk with lyric car
Cute Diwali Felt board set without lyrics
5 Turkeys flannel board story time pieces with

Sensory Fun!

If you have access to running water and a plastic tub, you have the makings of a water table!  Add in a little blue food coloring, some empty plastic bottles, a few snowflakes from your local craft store?  Now you’ve got a beautiful soothing activity for hours of fun.  Pull out that shower curtain from your playdough tub, and your kids are ready to go.  (Always supervise water play.)

 

Sweet Holiday Books

I’m always up for a few good reads!  Here are some great holiday books that aren’t all about get-get-getting!

Process art!

Looking for a fun art activity that’s easy and not too “crafty”?  I love open-ended exploration of art materials, and throwing in a seasonal feel makes it fun for everyone, without an emphasis on the more commercialized aspects of holidays.  Here’s a fun idea:

Sharing

I like to put the emphasis of holidays on family, friends, and being together.  This is a recipe I used with the children in my classroom over the years–what a great way to give something that encourages even more together-ness 🙂

 

Relish the idea of a calm and quiet holiday season, with a lot of cuteness thrown in for good measure?  Click below to shop my holiday sets!