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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’ve ever experienced that weird in-between week right before Christmas — where the homeschooling routine feels wobbly, everyone is distracted, and you’re just trying to keep the days meaningful without adding more stress — this post is for you.
In my home, this week used to feel like chaos wrapped in tinsel. The kids were excited, I was overwhelmed, and learning felt impossible. But a few years ago, I discovered something that changed everything: Christmas Learning Week.
It’s simple, low-prep, genuinely fun, and still educational. It keeps kids emotionally grounded, mentally engaged, and connected to the magic of the season… while giving you a breather.
Below is my full 7-Day Christmas Learning Week Plan — packed with easy activities, built-in learning opportunities, and gentle structure. You can follow it exactly or mix and match depending on your family’s rhythm.
Let’s make this Christmas week peaceful, memorable, and meaningful for your kids.
Why You Need a Christmas Learning Week (and the Problem It Solves)
Here’s the honest truth:
Christmas week is overwhelming for kids and parents.
There’s excitement.
There’s overstimulation.
There are late nights.
There are routines thrown out the window.
And what does that lead to?
✓ Boredom
✓ Emotional meltdowns
✓ Screens taking over
✓ Fighting between siblings
✓ Kids asking “What are we doing today?” every hour
A gentle plan solves all of it.
A Christmas Learning Week:
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gives kids predictable daily activities
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keeps learning going without formal lessons
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fills the long days with meaningful connection
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reduces stress and overstimulation
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helps you avoid the “Christmas chaos spiral”
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gives kids something to look forward to each day
It’s also perfect for both homeschoolers and families on winter break.
Your 7-Day Christmas Learning Week Plan
Low-prep, fun, family-centered activities that secretly pack in meaningful learning.
DAY 1 — Christmas Science + Nature Day
Theme: Curiosity + Exploration
Goal: Bring calm, hands-on learning into the week.
Activities:
1. Melting Ice Ornaments (Science Experiment)
This is always a hit. Freeze water with little items inside (buttons, beads, pine needles, pom poms), hang them outside, and watch them melt throughout the day.
Learning skills:
2. Nature Walk Ornament Hunt
Take a slow winter walk and collect:
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Pinecones
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Small sticks
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Evergreen sprigs
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Smooth rocks
Bring home what you find and make nature ornaments or a simple centerpiece.
Learning skills:
3. “Why Does It Snow?” Mini Lesson
Search together for kid-friendly snow videos, or read a winter science book.
DAY 2 — Christmas Reading + Writing Day
Theme: Cozy + Calm
Goal: Reset the energy and bring peace to the home.
Activities:
1. Morning Reading Picnic Under the Christmas Tree
Lay out blankets. Turn off overhead lights. Give each child a basket of picture books or chapter books.
Reading ideas:
2. Write a Christmas Story Together
You can make this extremely simple—fill in blanks:
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Main character: _____
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Setting: _____
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Problem: _____
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Funny twist: _____
Let kids illustrate or dictate.
3. Christmas Scavenger Hunt Word Search
Hide words around the house: “star,” “joy,” “snow,” “bell,” etc.
Kids walk around with clipboards checking them off.
DAY 3 — Christmas Cooking + Math Day
Theme: Real-life learning
Goal: Teach important life skills while creating holiday memories.
Activities:
1. Make a Simple Christmas Recipe
Choose ONE easy recipe to avoid overwhelm. Ideas:
Kids can:
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Measure
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Pour
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Stir
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Count ingredients
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Read steps with you
2. Recipe Math Challenge
Ask questions like:
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“We need 2 cups… what if we doubled the recipe?”
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“If we need 3 strawberries per person and we have 5 people, how many do we need?”
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“Which measuring cup should we use?”
3. Christmas Cookie Fractions
Use cookies or crackers to show:
Hands-on math is always sticky and fun this week.
DAY 4 — Craft + Fine Motor Day
Theme: Creativity & Calm
Goal: Give kids a screen-free, relaxing day.
Activities:
1. Christmas Card-Making Station
Set up:
Let kids make cards for:
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grandparents
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neighbors
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delivery drivers
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nursing homes
2. Salt Dough Ornaments
This is classic for a reason.
Just 3 ingredients: flour, salt, water.
Let kids:
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roll dough
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use cookie cutters
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paint after baking
So much sensory and fine motor learning.
3. Christmas Coloring Hour
Put on soft music, print fresh holiday coloring pages, and enjoy quiet time.
DAY 5 — Christmas Learning Through Play Day
Theme: Hands-on learning without worksheets
Goal: Let kids learn naturally in a relaxed environment.
Activities:
1. Christmas LEGO Challenge
Give prompts:
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“Build Santa’s workshop.”
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“Build a winter village.”
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“Build a new Christmas invention.”
Helps kids with:
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engineering
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problem solving
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symmetrical design
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storytelling
2. Christmas Board Games
Games build math, reading, strategy, and focus.
Ideas:
3. Pretend Play Christmas Store
Set up a pretend store using:
This teaches:
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money skills
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counting
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conversation skills
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role play
DAY 6 — Christmas Service + Kindness Day
Theme: Heartwork
Goal: Teach compassion, giving, and gratitude.
Activities:
1. Make a Kindness List
Ask kids:
“What are 10 little ways we can make someone’s day brighter this week?”
Ideas:
2. “Blessing Bags” for the Community
Fill small bags with:
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granola bars
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water
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socks
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wipes
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encouraging note
Deliver them together.
3. Call a Relative
Let kids choose who they want to call or video chat.
Connection is learning, too.
DAY 7 — Christmas Reflection + Celebration Day
Theme: Slow + Grateful
Goal: Close the week with reflection and memory-making.
Activities:
1. Christmas Week Memory Journal
Ask kids to write or draw:
Keep these each year — you’ll treasure them.
2. Make a Christmas Week Video
Record small clips each day
— kids baking, reading, walking, crafting —
and put them together.
This becomes a yearly tradition.
3. Christmas Family Celebration Night
End the week with:
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hot chocolate
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a movie
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a read-aloud
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lights outside
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a family game
This gentle celebration closes the week beautifully.
Tips to Make This Plan Stress-Free
Here’s what truly makes this plan successful:
✓ Keep supplies simple
Use what you already have.
Don’t go buy everything from Pinterest.
✓ Don’t pressure yourself to finish everything
The goal is connection, not perfection.
✓ Keep expectations gentle
Some days will be smooth…
some will feel chaotic…
and that’s okay.
✓ Let the plan guide you, not overwhelm you
Choose one activity… or all three… whatever fits your energy.
✓ Keep it low-prep
The magic is in the simplicity.
Why This Christmas Learning Week Works
After using this plan, I noticed huge changes in my kids:
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fewer meltdowns
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more engagement
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deeper connection
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meaningful learning
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calm instead of chaos
It gives structure without rigidity.
Fun without overstimulation.
Learning without pressure.
Connection without burnout.
And honestly… it makes you feel better, too.
Final Thoughts
Christmas week doesn’t have to feel stressful, chaotic, or overwhelming. With a gentle, simple plan, your kids stay engaged while your home stays peaceful.
You can use this plan year after year, adapting it as your kids grow.
And I hope it brings your family as much joy and calm as it’s brought mine.
If you want more Christmas learning ideas, free printables, or simple weekly homeschool plans, make sure to follow my blog and check out the resources linked throughout my posts.
Your support helps me keep creating helpful content for your home and homeschool.
Leave a Comment
I’d love to hear what you think!
Which day are you excited to try first?
Or what do your kids love doing during Christmas week?
Share your ideas, questions, or favorite traditions in the comments below!
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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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