(A realistic guide from a homeschool mom who’s been there!)
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🎄 What We’re Using This Christmas (Amazon Favorites)
Here are a few things we’re loving and actually using this Christmas season:
🎄Kids’ Christmas Activity Book (Amazon)🎄Christmas Playdough Kit (Amazon)🎄Christmas Book Set (Amazon)🎄Easy Gingerbread House Kit (Amazon)🎄Washable Christmas Stampers (Amazon)🎄Christmas Fun Game (Amazon)🎄Kids’ Christmas Craft Set (Amazon)
December in our homeschool looks a little different—and honestly, that’s become one of my favorite parts of the whole year.
Between the excitement, the sugar, the activities, the weather, the holiday events… trying to run “business as usual” in homeschool feels impossible.
And after years of trying to force a normal routine (and feeling stressed, guilty, or behind), I finally learned what works:
Lean into the season.
Make it magical.
And let December be different.
In this post, I’m sharing the exact Christmas homeschool activities that work for my family—with one child who’s 12 years old and another who’s 6 years old—and how we turn December into learning, connection, creativity, and cozy fun without losing structure.
This list is packed with educational ideas, simple crafts, low-prep activities, and ways to make the month special without burning yourself out.
Let’s make December peaceful, magical, and genuinely meaningful. ❤️🎄
Why We Shift Our Homeschool Routine in December
I used to think taking a more relaxed approach in December meant I wasn’t doing enough. Now?
I see December as a gift.
Here’s why we adjust our routine:
✔ Kids are overstimulated
Lights, events, treats, excitement—kids need gentler learning.
✔ We’re busier
Between shopping, planning, family events, and holiday tasks, we don’t need complicated homeschool plans.
✔ Seasonal learning is meaningful
Kids remember December activities more than anything we did in September.
✔ It builds family memories
And honestly, that’s one of the biggest reasons many of us homeschool.
The goal isn’t to keep up… it’s to connect.
Our Favorite Christmas Homeschool Activities (Educational, Magical & Low-Prep)
Below is a huge list organized by category so it’s easy to plan your December. These ideas work for both younger and older kids, and most require little or no prep at all.
🎄 1. Cozy Educational Activities for December
These are no-stress ideas that still count as learning—perfect for slow mornings or busy days.
• Christmas-Themed Morning Basket
A December morning basket can include:
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holiday books
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simple crafts
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poems
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coloring pages
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copywork
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flashcards
-
puzzles
-
handwriting sheets
Kids feel like they’re “easing in,” but they’re still learning.
• Read-Aloud Christmas Chapter Books
A few great picks:
We read aloud with hot chocolate and soft blankets—it’s simple but magical learning.
• Geography: Christmas Around the World
One of our favorite yearly traditions!
Learn about how different countries celebrate:
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Mexico
-
Germany
-
Sweden
-
The Philippines
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Japan
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Australia
Kids LOVE this because it’s fun, visual, and hands-on.
(You can even add my Christmas Around the World printable if you want an easy ready-to-go option.)
• Writing Prompts with a Christmas Twist
For example:
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“If I were an elf, my job would be…”
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“The best gift I ever gave someone was…”
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“Describe your perfect winter day.”
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“If snow could talk, what would it say?”
My 12-year-old writes full paragraphs, and my 6-year-old draws and dictates.
• Holiday-Themed Math Practice
Trust me—math is way easier when it’s fun.
Try:
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measuring ingredients for baking
-
graphing holiday candy
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skip counting with candy canes
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word problems with Christmas themes
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budgeting for gifts
Sneaky learning always works.
🎄 2. Hands-On Christmas Crafts for Kids (Easy + Actually Cute)
Crafts that don’t take a million supplies and won’t leave you in tears.
• Salt Dough Ornaments
All you need: flour, salt, water.
Kids can:
These become treasured keepsakes.
• Paper Snowflakes
Perfect for:
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scissor practice
-
symmetry lessons
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decorating windows
And zero mess—my favorite part.
• Christmas Cards Handmade by Kids
This doubles as handwriting + creativity.
Kids love mailing real cards to family members.
• Pinecone Bird Feeders
Just:
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peanut butter
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birdseed
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ribbon
Hang outside and watch birds all week.
• Handprint or Footprint Crafts
Especially fun for littles.
Also perfect to save as yearly memories.
• Watercolor Winter Scenes
Easy, calming, and perfect for both kids’ ages.
Just give them:
Beautiful results every time.
🎄 3. Christmas Learning Through Play (Fun + Educational)
• “Christmas Store” Pretend Play
Set up a little store with:
Kids practice math, money, and budgeting without realizing it.
• Christmas STEM Challenges
Some favorites:
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build the tallest marshmallow-and-toothpick tree
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make a bridge for Santa’s sleigh
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design a snowball launcher
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create a parachute for an “elf” toy
STEM doesn’t have to be complicated.
• Christmas Science Experiments
Try:
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melting ice with salt + watercolor
-
growing crystal candy canes
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dissolving candy canes in different liquids
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baking soda and vinegar “snow”
Kids LOVE these.
• Puzzle + Board Game Afternoons
Some December-friendly picks:
This counts as learning—logic, reading, math, problem-solving.
🎄 4. Family-Centered Christmas Traditions That Double as Homeschool
Homeschool isn’t just lessons… it’s life.
These traditions bring learning + connection together beautifully.
• Baking Day
Kids practice:
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reading
-
measuring
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fractions
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kitchen safety
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following directions
And you get cookies. Win win.
• Nighttime Christmas Lights Walk
We talk about:
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electricity
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colors
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photography
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art
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comparing displays
Super simple and magical.
• Service Projects
Here’s what we’ve done:
Kids learn compassion and gratitude in the most natural way.
• Family Movie Night with Learning Tie-Ins
For example:
It’s fun but still educational.
🎄 5. Christmas Activities for Ages 5–7
Here are simple ideas that younger kids love:
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alphabet ornaments
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Christmas letter tracing
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cut-and-paste wreath craft
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playdough gingerbread cookies
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counting candy canes
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sensory bins with fake snow
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sticker scenes
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lacing cards
These keep them busy while you teach an older child.
🎄 6. Christmas Activities for Ages 10–12
Perfect for older kids who want more independence:
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writing a short holiday story
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designing their own Christmas card
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building a Lego winter village
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researching how other countries celebrate Christmas
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DIY gifts (candles, bath salts, wood crafts)
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stop-motion Christmas videos
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baking a recipe all by themselves
Older kids love ownership.
🎄 7. How We Plan Our December Homeschool (Simple + Stress-Free)
Here’s our rhythm:
Week 1 — Cozy Kickoff
Decorate → read-aloud → light crafts
Minimal lessons, lots of together time.
Week 2 — Christmas Learning
Christmas Around the World
STEM activities
Writing prompts
We still do math but keep it lighter.
Week 3 — Fun + Connection
Baking
Neighborhood lights
Board game afternoons
Week 4 — Family + Rest
We’re officially on break, so we do bedrooms deep clean, small crafts, and movies.
Keeping December slow makes us excited to return in January.
🎄 Final Thoughts
December doesn’t need to feel chaotic, overwhelming, or like you’re falling behind in your homeschool.
Some of the best learning happens when you let the season lead you.
Your kids will remember:
the cozy mornings
the crafts
the baking
the books
the service
the laughter
the traditions
These moments matter more than any workbook page.
Lean in. Enjoy the magic. Make December soft, simple, and full of connection.
💬 Leave a Comment
What Christmas homeschool traditions does your family love?
Or which new activity from this list are you going to try?
I’d love to hear your ideas and help you plan your December!
🎁 Explore More Christmas Favorites!
👉 See all Kids’ Christmas Craft Supplies (Amazon)
👉 Browse Christmas Children’s Books (Amazon)
👉 See Christmas Learning Toys & Games (Amazon)
👉 Find Budget-Friendly Stocking Stuffers for Kids (Amazon)
👉 Top Christmas Gifts for 5–8-Year-Olds (Amazon)
👉 Best Christmas Gifts for 9-12-Year-Olds (Amazon)
👉 Christmas Family Activity Kits (Amazon)
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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