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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) If you’re anything like me, December feels magical… and exhausting at the same time.
The kids are excited. The routines are off. The days feel longer. And somehow, we’re supposed to keep little hands busy without adding more chaos to the house.
That’s exactly why Christmas playdough activities have become my secret weapon.
Playdough is calm. It’s creative. It works for toddlers, preschoolers, and even older kids who still love hands-on play. Best of all? You probably already have everything you need at home.
If you’ve been searching for:
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easy Christmas activities for kids
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low-prep sensory play ideas
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screen-free holiday activities
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quiet activities that actually hold attention
You’re in the right place.
Below are 30 simple Christmas playdough activities that are festive, stress-free, and genuinely fun—for kids and parents.
Why Christmas Playdough Activities Work So Well
Before we jump in, here’s why playdough is such a lifesaver during the holidays:
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Encourages creativity without instructions or perfection
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Builds fine motor skills (rolling, pinching, shaping)
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Calms overstimulated kids during a busy season
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Works for mixed ages (huge win for families with multiple kids)
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Requires minimal setup and almost no cleanup
When everything else feels loud, playdough feels grounding.
What You’ll Need (Keep It Simple)
You don’t need fancy supplies. Most of these activities work with:
Now let’s get into the fun 🎄
30 Simple Christmas Playdough Activities
1. Christmas Tree Sculptures
Roll dough into cones and decorate with beads or tiny balls. Great for fine motor skills.
2. Ornament Making Station
Use circle cutters and let kids press patterns with forks, buttons, or toothpicks.
3. Gingerbread Man Creations
Cut gingerbread shapes and decorate with dough “buttons” and faces.
4. Snowman Stackers
Roll three balls and stack them—simple, calming, and perfect for toddlers.
5. Candy Cane Twists
Roll red and white dough into ropes and twist together.
6. Christmas Cookie Bakery
Pretend play at its best—kids “bake,” decorate, and serve cookies.
7. North Pole Village
Build tiny houses, trees, and snow hills.
8. Santa Face Creations
Make Santa using white dough for beard and red for hat.
9. Christmas Wreaths
Form a circle and decorate with small balls as berries.
10. Reindeer Faces
Add dough antlers and tiny noses (red, of course).
11. Stocking Fillers
Shape mini toys, candy, and gifts to “fill” a playdough stocking.
12. Snowflake Pressing
Use toothpicks to design snowflake patterns.
13. Nativity Scene (Simple Version)
Create basic figures—great for gentle storytelling.
14. Christmas Letter Stamping
Form letters to spell festive words like JOY or NOEL.
15. Hot Cocoa Shop
Roll mugs, marshmallows, and pretend cocoa toppings.
16. Christmas Counting Mats
Roll small balls and count them into groups—perfect for early math.
17. Elf Hat Creations
Cones with decorative trim for silly elf fun.
18. Christmas Lights
Roll tiny bulbs and line them up like a string of lights.
19. Gift Wrapping Fun
Make cube-shaped gifts and “decorate” with dough ribbons.
20. Santa’s Workshop
Build toys, tools, and pretend assembly lines.
21. Scented Christmas Dough
Add cinnamon or vanilla for sensory magic.
22. Christmas Maze Tracing
Use toothpicks to trace paths through dough.
23. Snowball Fine Motor Game
Roll small balls and stack or transfer them.
24. Christmas Shapes Matching
Match dough shapes to drawn outlines.
25. Playdough Advent Countdown
Create one small item each day until Christmas.
26. Build-a-Christmas-Scene
Let kids create anything Christmas-themed—no rules.
27. Name Writing with Dough
Form names or holiday words letter by letter.
28. Texture Exploration
Press pinecones, forks, or LEGO bricks into dough.
29. Storytelling with Playdough
Create characters and tell a Christmas story together.
30. Calm-Down Dough Tray
Quiet music, neutral colors, and free play—perfect for overstimulation.
How to Make These Activities Even Easier
Here’s what’s worked best for me:
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Set expectations low – there’s no “right” result
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Reuse dough all week (store in airtight containers)
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Rotate tools instead of activities to keep it fresh
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Sit nearby with a coffee—no pressure to lead
Sometimes the biggest gift is letting kids just play.
Who These Activities Are Perfect For
✔ Toddlers and preschoolers
✔ Homeschool families
✔ Parents needing quiet time
✔ Teachers and classrooms
✔ Holiday break survival
If December feels overwhelming, these activities help bring things back to simple joy.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need elaborate crafts or expensive kits to make meaningful holiday memories.
Sometimes all it takes is:
If this post helped you, I’d love to know ❤️ And if you want even more simple Christmas activities, homeschool printables, or learning ideas to make the season magical, make sure to explore my other posts.
Your support helps me keep creating helpful content for your home and homeschool.
👉 Which playdough activity are you excited to try first? Leave a comment below and let me know!
And if you want more easy, screen-free Christmas activities, be sure to bookmark this page or share it with another parent who could use a little calm this season.
🎁 Explore More Christmas Favorites!
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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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