To save you time planning, the Little Scholars teachers compiled a list of the top Christmas activities with preschool-aged children. We attempted to focus on games that are both entertaining and educational. The games on the list are ideal for your holiday party, the last few days before the break when half of the class is out, or simply to provide the immediate finishers with something entertaining to do with a festive theme.
Why Christmas Games Matter for Preschoolers in NYC
Simple Christmas games for preschoolers should always take into account the development of the children: an average very short attention span, not fully developed self-control and basic motor skills coordinated at a very basic level. Clear structure and predictable problem solving keep children involved but without overstimulation.
In this context, recent studies in early childhood development indicate that playing with less demand develops executive function, motor planning, and emotional regulation in children aged 3 to 5 years [1]. So, small-space Christmas preschool games are not just a matter of luck, they are neurologically compatible with preschool learning via engagement.
Easy Christmas Games for Preschoolers (Small-Space Friendly)
Let’s start with some classics that are appropriate for mixed-age groups. These small-space toddler activities are great for classroom festivities or your own family Christmas party.
Fine-Motor Holiday Games
There are no restrictions on the type of activities during holidays as long as they are not through running, shouting, or playing music (like tic tac toe) over and over again. Playing fun Christmas games for preschoolers that require motor skills is a quieter way to involve children and at the same time. By engaging in candy cane sorting, you can improve their coordination, and gain control over their motor activities which are all essential skills.
| Snowflake Cutting | Folding and cutting paper snowflakes are fantastic Christmas activities for improving scissor skills and bilateral coordination. Start by helping your child fold a piece of paper into sections. Guide them as they cut shapes into the folded edges. Add cotton balls as decoration. |
| Salt Dough | Making Christmas tree ornaments is a tactile experience for kids needing extra sensory input. Mix flour, salt, and water to create a dough. Please have your child roll, knead, and shape the dough using their hands and cookie cutters. Once the dough is baked and hardened, painting and decorating them adds a layer of fine motor skills practice. |
| Finger Painting | For a messier but highly engaging activity, have your child use their fingers to paint holiday-themed scenes like snowmen, Christmas trees, or ornaments. This finger painting activity provides sensory input and encourages your child to apply different hand movements and finger pressure to create their masterpiece. |
The holiday magic is still there but the fine-motor games make everything slower. They help in a very playful way focus, creativity, and skill-building. Just prepare the materials, invite a small mess, and allow your kid to discover. You will be rewarded with keepsakes and happy smiles as a bonus from bingo cards.
Check out Little Scholars’ winter reading list for preschoolers to find more inspiration:
Content Unlocking the World of Reading: Early Childhood Education NYCThe Enchanted World of Snow: Best Preschool Books About SnowChristmas Magic: Christmas Books for ToddlersThe Fairy Tales of Winter: Winter Fairy Tales for KidsDiverse Celebrations: Winter Books for Cultural ExplorationLittle Scholars: Embracing Winter Tales from Around the WorldConclusion: A Season of Learning and JoyLittle Scholars: Your … Winter Reading List for Preschoolers: Your Guide to Seasonal Delights and Educational Adventures
Santa Games for Kids
In case a children’s holiday party is on the list of your upcoming events, then you surely require games that besides burning energy, would also spark laughter, and would not need a PhD in setup. Santa-themed preschool Christmas games are an absolute fit for the case. Holiday variations, and acceptance. Look at these two easy crowd-pleasers that are suitable for all ages:
- Musical Chairs. Forget the furniture shuffle. This is like musical chairs, but with a lot more fun and far fewer scraped floors. Form a circle on the ground with Santa hats (or elf hats or reindeer antlers if you’re feeling wild). When music plays, children walk or freeze dance. When it stops, they dive for a hat. The scramble is entertaining, and the image of a circle of youngsters wearing hats is ideal holiday party fodder.
- Santa Says. One person plays “Santa” and says directions like “tap your nose like Rudolph,” “ho-ho-ho three times,” or “waddle like a penguin.” Kids must follow along, but only if Santa delivers the order first. What if they mess up? They are out until the next round. You can make it goofy for younger children (pretend to eat and hop like a reindeer) or ridiculous for older ones (floss like Frosty).
Both fun Christmas games for preschoolers have straightforward execution, infinite variations, and noisy kids as the only source of noise, which is a happy noise. Change props, alter the rules, or replay it as often as you like. There are no complaints about the extra turn taken by the players.
Read our guide on how to choose the best gift for your children following year:
Content Лучшие подарки для детей и семьи на это Рождество Это время приближается. Дети пишут и переписывают свои рождественские списки, вы пытаетесь подготовиться заранее, и у вас есть несколько человек, для которых нужно делать покупки. Если вы не из тех людей, которые покупают подарки для детей и членов семьи в течение всего года, велика вероятность, … Top Gifts for Kids and Family This Christmas
Content What should you explain to your child regarding gifts?Developing a special relationship with receiving giftsHow to teach a child to give gifts? Holidays play a significant role in our lives and are common events in children’s lives. Kids love the holidays without a doubt since they adore receiving presents so much! You, as a … How to raise a kid to accept and present gifts with grace
Content Early Childhood Education NYC: A New Era in LearningEducational Gift Guide for Children: Thoughtfully CuratedFor Toddlers (0-3 Years):For Preschoolers (3-5 Years):For School-Age Children (6-12 Years):Gift Ideas for Child Development: More Than Just PlayEducational Toys for Different Ages: Customized LearningChildren’s Books for Learning: Nurturing Young ImaginationsLittle Scholars Programs – A Gateway to the FutureRelated Insights … Educational Gift Guide: Unleashing Potential in Young Minds
Christmas Songs Preschoolers Love
Jingle bells songs have to find the right balance. The most excellent selections are based on the ability of the expressiveness in the singers’ voices and the slight goofiness which encourages children to join in the singing or dancing. This is the reason why these Merry Christmas carols have become classics; they appeal to the very sense of fun and fantasy of little ones.
| ‘Frosty the Snowman’ by Jimmy Durante | There’ve been countless versions of “Frosty the Snowman” over the years, but no one does it quite like Jimmy Durante. The song’s actor narrated the original animated TV special and his distinct voice will surely delight New York preschoolers whether or not they’ve seen the 1969 special. |
| ‘The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)’ by Alvin and the Chipmunks | Preschool-aged children will be charmed by this David Seville holiday song that features the cartoonish voices of the Chipmunks. Seville’s novelty tune was released in 1958 and became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 of that same year. |
| ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’ by Gayla Peevey | “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” endures as a campy novelty song more than 70 years after its release. Preschoolers are bound to be entertained by Gayla Peevey’s tongue-in-cheek request to have Santa deliver a giant hippo just in time for Christmas morning. |
Whether doing it in circle time or at home while decorating, they make co-existent times full of repetition. Just hit the play button, sing or freeze dance and let the holiday atmosphere take care of everything else.
Creating Meaningful Family Traditions
Regular engagement in meaningful customs helps families overcome what family experts refer to as “entropy.” In the physical sciences, entropy is the propensity of a physical system to lose energy and coherence over time, such as a gas dissipating until it is nearly gone.
According to some study, a “entropic family” is one in which members neglect the family’s inner life and community relationships, resulting in a loss of emotional connectedness [2].
Follow these practices:
- Moderation: Families with too few traditions have difficulty remaining together. They frequently forget important occasions in their family members’ life. Families with too many traditions, on the other hand, reduce the significance of each one. It is the key.
- Establishment: Creating new traditions requires planning and work. Parents should first define a goal that a new ritual can help them achieve. Choose an appropriate moment to start the tradition and consider how frequently it should be performed.
Decide which activities (e.g., advent calendar) will be included and their significance. Choose rituals that involve all family members and are considerate of their needs.
Holiday Learning at Little Scholars NYC
Holiday learning at Little Scholars NYC is structured around developmentally appropriate practice, integrating holiday season themes into curriculum-aligned play experiences.
In the Preschool Program, instructional design emphasizes active engagement, repetition, and multisensory input to support early cognitive development, language acquisition, and socio-emotional growth.
Preschool Program
3K Program
Holiday activities are not treated as add-ons. They are embedded within intentional learning frameworks (play-based, STEM, etc. and etc.) that align with early childhood education standards. The educators do observational assessment practices used across our locations.
Play-Based Holiday Activities in Our Centers
Play-based holiday activities are implemented as guided and free-play modules that target specific developmental domains, including executive function, fine motor coordination, and peer interaction. Educators scaffold play using verbal cues, modeling, and environmental design to maintain structure without limiting autonomy. Programs are structured for spatial constraints across centers, ensuring learning results while allowing flexibility in execution.
Safe and Nurturing Environment
All holiday programming operates within a regulated, safety-first environment designed to support emotional security and behavioral regulation. Bilingual classrooms are arranged to minimize overstimulation, reduce risk, and promote predictable routines. Staff across all locations are trained to maintain warm, responsive interactions that reinforce a sense of belonging. We ensure that festivals remain both developmentally supportive and grounding.
Conclusion
At Little Scholars NYC, holiday learning is intentionally designed to support development while preserving the joy and wonder of the season. Through play-based activities, structured routines, and nurturing environments across all locations, we ensure that festive moments contribute meaningfully to cognitive, social, and emotional growth. The result is a balanced approach where learning remains purposeful, engaging, and developmentally sound.
See our holiday learning approach in action. Schedule a tour at your nearest Little Scholars NYC location or contact us to learn more about our programs and availability. Our educators would like to welcome your family and show you how purposeful play makes a difference.
FAQ
Why are Christmas games important for preschoolers?
Preschool Christmas games are more than festive fun, they are carefully aligned with preschoolers’ developmental needs. At ages 3–5, children are developing attention span, motor coordination, and early self-regulation skills.
What types of games work best in small spaces?
Games like musical chairs with holiday hats or Santa games for kids are ideal. They are easy to set up, require minimal props, and allow for rapid rotation of participants. Fine-motor activities such as snowflake cutting, salt dough ornament-making, or finger painting work well for quieter moments and smaller groups.
How do fine-motor holiday games benefit preschoolers?
Fine-motor holiday games provide critical developmental support while keeping children engaged in seasonal activities. Tasks such as cutting wrapping paper, kneading and shaping salt dough, or finger painting Christmas-themed images promote hand strength, dexterity, and coordination.
| ‘Frosty the Snowman’ by Jimmy Durante | There’ve been countless versions of “Frosty the Snowman” over the years, but no one does it quite like Jimmy Durante. The song’s actor narrated the original animated TV special and his distinct voice will surely delight New York preschoolers whether or not they’ve seen the 1969 special. |
| ‘The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)’ by Alvin and the Chipmunks | Preschool-aged children will be charmed by this David Seville holiday song that features the cartoonish voices of the Chipmunks. Seville’s novelty tune was released in 1958 and became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 of that same year. |
| ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’ by Gayla Peevey | “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” endures as a campy novelty song more than 70 years after its release. Preschoolers are bound to be entertained by Gayla Peevey’s tongue-in-cheek request to have Santa deliver a giant hippo just in time for Christmas morning. |
Can these games be adapted for different age groups?
Absolutely. Many of the party games at Little Scholars NYC are flexible and scalable for mixed-age groups. Younger preschoolers can focus on simpler, much more primitive tasks such as basic movement games or finger painting, while older preschool-aged children may appreciate more complex versions with added rules, challenges, or creative extensions.
Which Christmas songs are best for preschoolers?
The most effective Christmas Eve songs for preschoolers combine memorable melodies, playful voices, and opportunities for movement. Classics such as “Frosty the Snowman” by Jimmy Durante, “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” by Alvin and the Chipmunks, and “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” by Gayla Peevey are perennial classic favorites.
How do these activities support family traditions at home?
Engaging in Christmas party games or songs together provides predictable and meaningful interaction, supporting relationships. Moderation is key; having too few traditions may leave family connections fragile, while too many may dilute their significance.
How does Little Scholars NYC integrate holiday learning into its programs?
At Little Scholars NYC, holiday learning is fully embedded within curriculum-aligned, developmentally appropriate practice (DAP). Activities are designed to support early cognitive, language, and socio-emotional development while celebrating seasonal themes.
What makes the environment safe and nurturing for holiday activities?
Safety and emotional security are fundamental to all holiday programming at Little Scholars NYC. Classrooms are intentionally arranged to reduce overstimulation and minimize physical risks. Structured routines provide predictability, which helps children manage transitions and behavior. Educators are trained to deliver interactions reinforcing attachment and trust.
How can families replicate these activities at home?
Families can adapt classroom holiday games and songs for home use with minimal preparation. For active games like musical chairs or Santa games for kids, simple props such as hats, scarves, or household items can be used.
How do these holiday games and songs support developmental milestones?
Musical activities strengthen auditory processing, memory, and sequencing skills. Social interaction within games fosters cooperation, turn-taking, and empathy. Even brief exposure to active play helps develop inhibitory control, attention, and emotional regulation.
How do holiday activities align with early childhood education standards?
At Little Scholars NYC, holiday activities are not stand-alone events. They are integrated into broader curriculum goals. Play-based and STEM-infused activities align with standards for early childhood education by targeting cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional domains.
How can parents learn more or participate in Little Scholars NYC holiday programming?
Parents interested in experiencing holiday learning at Little Scholars NYC are encouraged to schedule a tour or contact their local center. Tours provide an opportunity to see play-based holiday activities in action, observe the safe and nurturing classroom environment, and speak with educators about curriculum integration.
References
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10643-024-01847-x
- https://mspace.lib.umanitoba.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/e2d49340-1133-4b9b-a884-c8eef8b007d5/content
