As with many events on the cultural calendar, Christmas has a range of traditions you can explore. One that can be a great way to get crafty in early childhood setting is Advent. This is a celebration that not only marks the countdown to Christmas but also offers lots of opportunities for engaging activities and meaningful connections.

Unwrapping tradition: The origins of Advent

Advent dates back to the 5^th century and the word itself comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ which means ‘arrival’ or ‘coming’. As with much of Christmas traditionally, the roots of Advent are in the Christian faith and centre around the anticipation of the birth of Jesus.

While traditionally observed in Christian communities, Advent has become a widespread approach to counting down to Christmas — and having some activities or treats along the way!

Advent calendars are everywhere this time of year, but they have their origins in 19^th century Germany. These calendars typically consist of 24 doors or windows, each concealing a small surprise or treat. For educators and families these build plenty of excitement for children to open each day as we get closer to Christmas Day.

Christmas DIY: Crafting Your Advent Calendar

For early childhood educators, this time of year brings with it countless craft activities, so why not tie them all together with a DIY Advent calendar.

The best thing — when it comes to Advent calendars, the options are endless! Each room at your service might like to do their own to align with their developmental stages and unique explorations throughout the year.

Here are a couple of ideas to inspire you:

Cardboard advent calendar

Start with a large piece of cardboard and decorate it as is. Alternatively, you could cut it into a large, visually appealing shape (such as a tree or star). Children can collaborate to get the base looking great.

Next, get 24 small cards or envelopes and number the envelopes or pouches from 1 to 24.

Attach the envelopes to the calendar using strong tape, pins, or staples and find a place to hang the calendar in your room.

Odd sock calendar

This one is different and lots of fun.

Encourage families to bring in a clean odd sock if they can — you’ll need 24 per calendar. You can use them as they are or you might like to get fabric markers or paint to decorate them to look like little Christmas stockings. You can write the numbers 1 – 24 on each one, or you can add a square of paper next to each one with its number for the countdown.

Next you’ll need 24 pegs and a piece of string. Attach the socks with the pegs and tie the string up somewhere in your room!

Adding the activities to your Advent calendar

Now comes the heart of the Advent calendar — filling it with engaging activities that captivate the imagination of children! Each day can bring a new activity or adventure, which can give children a sense of shared excitement throughout the countdown.

Here are some ideas to get you started — ideally a combination of them all keeps it engaging:

Storytime surprises: Select a holiday-themed book or story for each day so the calendar indicates which story will be read. Make it inclusive by including stories that cover the many different ways people celebrate this time of year.

Creative crafts: This time of year is all about craft. From building Santa out of toilet rolls, to Christmas cards for family, each day of the Advent countdown can be a new activity. Here are some eco-friendly ideas to add.

Joyful jingles: Christmas carols and musical activities feel very festive, and are perfect to include in your calendar.

Acts of kindness: Why not include actions that foster kindness in your early learning environment too? It could be doing something kind for themselves, the environment, or for a peer.

Sharing in a time of togetherness

Come together to create and enjoy something special together! Embracing Advent in early childhood education can be perfect for cultivating a sense of wonder and joy this time of year.

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Holiday celebrations can be a great opportunity for children to share with one another and explore how different cultures and religions celebrate at this time of year, if at all. Fostering a sense of belonging is vital for children’s development and wellbeing in early childhood, and creating an inclusive learning experience around festive period is a great way to do just that.

Early childhood education is a diverse sector that involves collaborating with educators and families from a variety of cultures and religions each and every day. Cultural competence is essential for early childhood educators, and we can also help children to develop their own appreciation of diversity through implementing positive practices.

We take a look at different activities to support educators and families in feeling festive, promoting togetherness and understanding the different ways this time of year may be celebrated within our communities.

Crafty decorations and gifts

There is no shortage of Christmas craft ideas. This craft is easily adapted to any cultural preferences and we’ve ensured that it is sustainable too — children and the planet will love it.

Tin can succulent planters

By adding together some recycled tin cans, a bit of potting mix and some succulent cuttings, you can create a beautiful houseplant decoration or gift. Before planting, paint the tin in festive colours or add string, ribbon and other decorative touches that can be attached with glue.

You can find more eco-friendly craft ideas here.

Get cooking

For many cultures and holidays, cooking and eating is central to the celebration. Help children learn some kitchen familiarity and food preparation skills by taking your holiday celebrations to the kitchen!

Cooking is a great way to share a taste (quite literally) of others’ cultures. It’s also a great science experiment, watching solids turn to liquids, liquids turn to solids and all sorts of exciting occurrences during the cooking process.

Most importantly, remember to ensure you are aware of any allergies and food preferences, and enjoy sharing some delicious food together!

End of year performance

Children have no doubt spent plenty of time together singing during the year. They have likely enjoyed many stories too. Why not put together a performance based on Christmas or a much-loved favourite story to celebrate the end of a year together?

Work on children’s memory and confidence while celebrating all the while. All you need is an idea, concept or story to base your performance on. It may be related to Santa and his reindeer, or maybe a book that children enjoyed during the year. Each child can perform as a certain character and the children can work together to create a fun expression of celebration and shared interest.

Invite families to come and watch (pandemic-restrictions dependant), and create your own end of year concert!

Themed scavenger hunt

Take your holiday fun outside with a scavenger hunt that children of any age will enjoy. Get a bunch of items and hide them around your service. These items could be festive-themed around any type of celebration, meaning you can adapt it for Christmas-related items or other celebrations such as Hanukkah, Diwali, Chinese New Year and more. You can even do a combination.

Make it a group activity where everyone can work together to find the hidden items. For younger children a list of the items is ideal, but for older children you could create fun clues about what the items might be.

Find scavenger hunt printables and inspiration here.

Get singing and dancing

Song and dance are used to celebrate across many cultures all over the world and in various religions. They are also lots of fun! Work on fine and gross motor skills, while enjoying the sheer joy of dancing and singing.

Incorporating singing and dancing into your holiday activities and celebrations can be a great way for children to share something special about their family’s approach to the festive period.

Encourage families to share a song or dance that is important to them. You can also look at festive songs or songs children have loved during the year, add some movements and create a beautiful performance of your own to celebrate a great year together.

Inclusive holiday activities: quick tips

Ask families how they celebrate the holidays

To ensure everyone’s unique culture, religion or festive preferences are included in your centre’s explorations, ask families how they celebrate during the festive period.

Focus on broader festive themes

When planning your holiday activities, try to focus on the themes of the festive period that may be shared across many cultures. For example: being with family, sharing traditional meals, enjoying the Australian summer, decorative lights or gift giving and receiving.

Be accurate

Make sure you do your research around each family’s approach to their holiday celebrations. Children may feel embarrassed or unsure of their family’s traditions, so having an understanding to prompt children can help them feel more comfortable sharing.

Offer alternatives

No holiday celebration is forbidden and educators and children should feel comfortable undertaking craft from any celebration. It is, however, important to offer an alternative in case a child prefers not to participate.

Keep it simple

While there are plenty of elaborate crafts or fundraising ideas that you might like to include in your holiday activities, try to keep it simple and budget-friendly. Not all families have the available time to source what may be required, or the same financial resources to participate. A simple approach with natural resources and some imagination are the way to go.

Enjoy the festive season together!

The most important thing when jumping into holiday activities in early childhood education services is to have FUN! There is so much to learn from one another and the festive period is a wonderful time to share and celebrate together.

We have more activities for children to enjoy at any time of year, at home or in early childhood services. Download these activities here.

Have a happy and safe festive season, from all of us at Practical Outcomes!

Creating a healthy and happy future for the children in our care also means caring for the planet. There are many ways to go green in child care, and being conscious of the environmental impact of our Xmas activities is a great place to put in a little bit of extra effort.

These Xmas activities will help you get creative while being sustainable, and make sure children get an engaging learning experience too.

Xmas activities for kids

1. Tin can succulent planters

These are not exclusively a Christmas craft idea but are very adaptable and always a well-received gift. Using recycled tin cans, a bit of potting mix and some succulent cuttings, you can create a beautiful houseplant gift. Before planting, paint the tin in Christmas colours or add string, ribbon and other decorative touches. These instructions will help you get started.

2. Tasty Christmas treats

Rarely are edible gifts wasteful! Help children to whip up some delicious Christmas shortbread biscuits to give as gifts. Once their made and decorated, they can go into a recycled or reusable glass jar to stay fresh. This Christmas shortbread only has three ingredients and is perfect for making with children.

3. Pinecone reindeer

Pinecones — they are a favourite of children and can make a very versatile craft item. This craft involves turning the pinecones into cute reindeer Christmas decorations. Excellent for a gift or hanging on the tree at home.

4. Egg carton Christmas characters

Transform egg cartons into little elves, Santas and Christmas trees for an adorable Christmas decoration! A simple and fun recycling craft.

5. Custom Christmas wrapping paper

This is a sustainable Christmas craft you might have already done unknowingly. All those paintings and drawings children have done over the years make fantastic wrapping paper for family and friends. Get out the biggest sheets of paper you have, get children to create some beautiful Christmas themed artwork and gift a roll of custom wrapping to families!

6. Twig decorations

You’ll be amazed at how many gorgeous decorations can be made with the humble twig. These ideas will inspire you and have children creating beautiful Christmas craft that will last a lifetime.

Focusing on the environmentally-friendly factor in each activity gives children an insight into caring for the planet and being resourceful and creative. Not to mention doing our part in reducing, reusing and recycling in early childhood education.

Contact us today or check out our Early Childhood Education and Care courses!

These five festive craft ideas are simple and fun, and will make great keepsakes. Children can decorate the centre, gift their masterpieces on to family or decorate the Christmas tree at home.

Five Christmas craft activities for children 

1. Handmade Christmas cards

These are made with children’s hands in every way — trace around of those little hands on some green paper and cut them out to stick on a piece of folded cardboard as a Christmas tree! Simple but so effective. Get some extra support on tackling this one here if you need.

2. Christmas wreath craft

A Christmas wreath for the front door, or maybe just a child’s bedroom door — either way, this is a super easy Christmas craft activity that children can really let loose with. Bust out the glitter, paper, any Christmas stickers you might have, some cotton wool — you name it!

Image credit: https://mommyevolution.com/christmas-wreath-craft-for-kids/

3. Rudolph tree decoration

Recreate Rudolph for the Christmas tree with three icy-pole sticks, some googley eyes and a pom pom nose. Don’t forget some ribbon or a pipe cleaner to attach for hanging. Get more detailed guidance on this Christmas craft here.

4. Make a dancing Santa:

The things you can do with paper plates a child care professional! This dancing Santa is simple and fun, and you can really approach it however you like, but these instructions and printable templates could save you some time.

5. Tree topper Christmas angels

There are those paper plates again! This is a Christmas craft activity that children of any age can get involved in. Simply fold a paper plate in on each side to the midway point, using some tape, glue or a staple to hold in place. Then attach a circle of cardboard as a face, and finally trace around a child’s hand on some cardboard and cut out for customised handprint wings! A lovely keepsake to pop on top of the Christmas tree.