As we head into winter, we often spend more time inside. As the holidays approach, children and adults get more creative. Whether crafting, baking cookies, or wrapping gifts, we have fun making things. Involving your kids in any of these activities excites them and has a positive impact. Not only do you get a little helper, but you also get priceless time to bond with your child. You also have an opportunity as a parent to participate as your kids develop and learn.
For example, baking Christmas cookies can teach children science and math. When they measure ingredients and count, they learn. Children also get to be creative when they help decorate cookies, the tree, or the house. Kids also get to improve and further develop their gross and fine motor skills. Holiday projects like cutting snowflakes also help hand-eye coordination. Children advance their dexterity by designing ornaments or other unique gifts. They develop without even knowing it.
Green Dragon wants to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season. We have included some of our favorite winter activities from our early education books. You can easily download and print the projects to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!
This winter craft project lets kids make a snowman out of construction paper. The activity includes instructions and a list of supplies. You need glue, scissors, 3 brad fasteners (or similar), and 3 sheets of construction paper- 1 red, 1 black, and 1 white. You can put the snowman on a stick if you have a ¼” wide paint stick or dowel. The length of this stick should be 12-15”.
This activity includes cutout patterns, a fingerplay, and instructions. The Scotch Snowman is known for wearing a plaid scarf, so you need a 1” wide and ½” wide plaid ribbon. Other supplies include glue, scissors, double-sided tape, and a thin black marker. Also, you need three sheets of construction paper-1 black, 1 white, and 1 color you choose for a background.
Get 7 Christmas cutout patterns for arts and craft projects. You get 4 Star Shapes, 1 Stocking, 1 Angel, and 1 Candle.
This activity includes a Christmas Wreath Cutout Pattern and instructions on how to make this unique wreath!
We know glitter can be a mess, but it also makes sparkly Christmas decorations. This activity requires a glitter shaker, white glue, and disposable trays. This idea has instructions on how to make Christmas tree decorations.
Kids can make their own creative gift wrap at home! You need either a potato, pumpkin, or squash. Other items include pie tins, paint, and tissue paper. This arts and crafts project shows you how to make unique gift wrap.
Hanukkah is a festival holiday on the Jewish calendar that lasts for eight days. Hanukkah means “rededication” and starts this year at sundown on November 28, 2021. This occasion commemorates a small group of heroic Jews winning religious freedom. After the victory, the group returned to their temple in Jerusalem. They began cleaning their temple to rededicate themselves to God and their faith. They had one jug of pure oil that was supposed to only last one day. The Jews lit “The Eternal Light.” Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days. Today, the Jewish tradition is to light one candle on the first night of Hanukkah and add one more each consecutive night.
The book, Playful Traditions teaches children about Jewish holidays and traditions. We have included one fun activity from this book for those who wish to celebrate Hanukkah.
Have Hanukkah fun with this board game that has complete instructions and all the patterns to create the game. You just need a folder to store the pieces that you print to play.
Learn more about the Winter Solstice to teach children about nature.