Get ready for a fantastic holiday adventure with this curated plan featuring creative crafts, treats, and books— easy to make and not too complicated.  Perfect for homeschool, after school, family time, weekends, or Christmas Party stations.

❄️ You won't need the physical books for this class. I will provide video links to what I consider the "best" read-aloud versions available on YouTube.

Once you sign up for the class, you will receive all four weeks of activities including bonus books and Christmas Science activities.  This way, you'll have the opportunity to preview the plan and make any adjustments you'd like to best suit your family's holiday celebrations.

You will also receive these attachments:
Christmas Countdown Personalized Coloring Book (color one page a day)
Countdown to Christmas- Cut and Paste projects 
Single Page - Countdown to Christmas (color one part per day)
Paper Chain Countdown Materials - one of a kind!

Rice Krispie Treats - Christmas Edition (20 creative Christmas recipe ideas)

Christmas Countdown Ongoing Activities - Music, Movement, Cartoons, & More



Suggested Format:
#1  Follow the plan or skip around and choose a book to "read"  (video read-aloud). 

OPTIONS: Do one, some, or ALL! You Choose Your Holiday Adventure!

#2 Print a coordinating COLORING page.
#3 Click on one of the music links to enjoy Christmas MUSIC while you color.

#4 BRAIN BREAK!   Sing, dance, or "move" to one of the Christmas MOVEMENT videos.

#5 Complete a craft activity related to the book you just read.

#6 Make one of the book-related holiday treats.

#7 What did you decide to do? Post a picture in the classroom (optional, of course).

#8 Think about the book you'd like to "read" tomorrow. Gather materials for any project or recipe.


❄️ The picture books in this class have a secular or non-religious focus. They are delightfully silly and fun while also conveying the values that make Christmas so special. 

Despite this class not having live sessions, I'm here and available to connect with students through Zoom for any additional support or assistance.  I look forward to interacting with students as they share their Christmas Countdown activities in the Outschool Classroom.



Week 1:  Christmas Countdown
Snowbear's Christmas Countdown by Theresa Smythe
Activities:  Letter to Santa, Countdown Chain, 3- recipes to make Polar Bear treats

Countdown to Christmas by Adam & Charlotte Guillain
Activities:  Paper Bag Star, 2-paper mice crafts, Peanut Butter Christmas Mice

The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll
Activities:  6-Christmas Tree crafts, 3- recipes for Christmas Tree treats

When Santa Lost His Ho! Ho! Ho! by Laura Rader
Activities:  Ho, Ho, Ho Interpretations, A Day in Santa's Life, 2 - Santa recipes

Santa's Lost Reindeer By Rachel Hilz
Activities:  Fingerprint art & cards, 2 - Build a Reindeer crafts, 3 - reindeer treats
Rudolph Cartoon, Holiday Science - All About Reindeers

Extra books:  Shh!  We Got a Reindeer & The Grumpy Reindeer



Week 2: 
Memoirs of an Elf by Devin Scillian
How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
Elf: The Classic Illustrated Storybook by Kim Smith
Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini
The Broken Ornament by Toni DiTerlizzi
Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner

Bonus Snowman Books:  Snowmen at Work, How to Catch a Snowman, Frosty animated song & movie

Activities - candy cane hide and seek, several ways to "Elf Yourself!", several ways to make cute elves, create one or more adorable sock snowmen, 3- snowman paper crafts, over 20 snowman-related treat recipes, tiny elf donuts, 8 Christmas paper craft activities, snowman soup, directions for a snowman breakfast party, and learning how to make Buddy the Elf's Christmas Spaghetti


Week 3: 
How to Catch Santa
Santa's Stuck
How to Catch a Reindeer
I'm the Grinch
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Got So Grinchy
Only You Can Save Christmas

Bonus books:  The Christmas Selfie Contest & Who'll Pull Santa's Sleigh Tonight?
Activities involve making slime ornaments, directions to make ombre Christmas garland, 3D Christmas trees, various elf & snowman paper & socks crafts,  candy cane crafts, candy cane science, and related treat recipes

Week 4: 
The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?
Cookies for Santa (and two recipes to make "his" favorite cookie)
The Night Before Christmas
The Polar Express
Santa’s Reindeer Games 
The Night Before -  The Night Before Christmas (2 different books/authors)
The Night Before Christmas (Clement Moore
The Night After Christmas 

Activities involve making paper gingerbread men, more snowman crafts, elf homes,  angel crafts, a star experiment, and related treat recipes

Bonus books: The Great Reindeer Rebellion
How Santa Lost His Job
Turkey Claus

For after Christmas:  Sneezy the Snowman, Science Pop-Up Book Discovery Snowflakes, The Night Before New Year's

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Using Picture Books 
Some people think picture books are only for little kids, but many authors write them for older readers as well. Their power, creativity, message, and beauty often captivate even the most experienced reader.  During the holidays, picture books can tie into festive activities, making learning fun and interesting. Picture books can also be opportunities to spark great conversations and imagination turning reading into a shared and delightful experience.