Looking for intentional Christ-Centered Christmas Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers? Celebrate the birth of Christ with the best Christmas products, crafts, activities, and books that focus on the greatest gift—Jesus!
If there’s one thing that I want said about Christmas it’s this: Let is be simple, meaningful, Jesus full. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and completely miss the incredible hope that we have in Jesus entering the world. If you’re looking to create an intentional Jesus-centered Christmas you’re in good company. Today I’ve compiled my favorite Christ-Centered Christmas Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers (as well as products, crafts, and books too!) and I can’t wait to share them with you.
If you read our favorite Thanksgiving Activities then this will be a repeat, but it’s such a powerful truth that probably can’t be repeated enough. Please don’t feel the need to do all of these activities. In fact, please don’t use all of these products, activities, and crafts. That will stress you and your family out. Pick a couple of tools that work well for the season that your family is in and the unique preferences of your kiddos. Please resist the temptation to do all the things just for the sake of doing them. Pick a couple of things and do them really well. Keep it simple so that you can savor the season without all the hurry and stress.
I also should note that you do not have to do any (or a million) activities, crafts, or devotions to point your kiddos to Jesus this Christmas. God doesn’t need our perfectly planned activities or crafts to draw our kids to Himself. Let’s be sure to adore Him this Christmas rather than our checked off list of activities completed, crafts made, and books read.
If you’re looking for Christmas Activities for older kids be sure to check out this post.
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Christmas Products
1. Invite your kids to participate in an exciting hide-and-seek game each day leading up to Christmas with The Christmas Star From Afar®. During the weeks leading up to Christmas they’ll follow the star just like the wise men. This is such a fun and engaging way to focus on the true meaning of Christmas and build anticipation for the birth of Jesus.
2. Countdown to Christmas with these beautiful Advent Cards that pair with the Jesus Storybook Bible. I absolutely love the simplicity of these and can’t wait to use them again this year.
3. If you love crafts and engaging with the Gospel in a hands on way, then Truth in the Tinsel just might be for you! Our family has not used it before, but I have heard so many wonderful things from other mamas.
4. Unwrap the joyful anticipation of the Advent season with Unwrapping the Greatest Gift. Each day, you can read the provided Scripture passage, engage with a powerfully written devotion that helps you understand the Advent theme for the day, and participate in suggested activities that apply the theme. The illustrations and words of this book are absolutely gorgeous. You can also find free printable coloring pages and Jesse Tree ornaments HERE that pair with the book. Coloring is a wonderful activity for younger kids to do while you’re reading.
5. Create a Jesse Tree with The Wonder of the Greatest Gift. This beautiful keepsake book is based on Unwrapping the Greatest Gift and would be perfect for younger kids!
Christmas Crafts and Activities
Here’s some favorite crafts and activities to engage your toddlers and preschoolers and connect with the birth of Jesus in a hands on way. Keep in mind that it can be easy to feel the need to do it all and go overboard with all the crafts. Just a friendly little reminder you don’t have to do it all. You do not have to do a million crafts or activities to love your family well and point their hearts to Jesus. Be sure to leave margin and white space in your days this Christmas season.
1. Celebrate the season with simple ideas from the Let’s Celebrate Christmas Print.
2. Make lunch (or snack time) intentional by serving a delicious and meaningful Christmas Story Nativity Lunch.
3. Create a Baby Jesus Wood Slice Ornament.
4. Retell the Christmas story with a DIY Wood Slice Felt Board Nativity.
5. Invite your kids to help tie a Candy Cane Tag (that explains the legend of the candy cane) onto candy canes and then pass them out to encourage people in your community.
6. Throw a Happy Birthday Jesus Party.
7. Make a DIY My Gift to Jesus Sign.
8. Be the light and spread kindness as a family with a Christmas Kindness Countdown Chain.
9. Countdown to Christmas with free printable Bible Verse Countdown Cards.
10. Celebrate the birth of Jesus with the 12 Days of Christmas Activity. The free printable includes 12 cards with poems that each tell about a piece of the nativity. So cute and intentional!
11. Make a Torn Paper Advent Wreath and reflect on the hope we have in Jesus.
12. Keep it simple and follow the star to Jesus with a 12 Day Countdown to Christmas.
13. Surprise your mailman, teacher, garbage truck driver, or anyone else in your community and tell them that you hope their Christmas is Bursting with Joy with a darling tag and a bag of starbursts.
14. Celebrate the birth of Jesus with this simple Jesus is the Greatest Gift Craft. (Full Tutorial Coming Soon)
Christmas Books
Books are so simple, yet an incredibly meaningful way to spend time with your kiddos. There are so many beautiful books out there that share the real reason we celebrate Christmas. Here are some of our favorites:
CHRIST-CENTERED CHRISTMAS BOOKS FOR TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS:
From Eden to Bethlehem: An Animals Primer
Itsy Bitsy Christmas: You’re Never Too Little for His Love
This is the Christmas Story (Kids Read Truth)
The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
ADVENT BOOKS/DEVOTIONALS FOR MAMAS:
Savior for the Broken (I had the honor and joy to contribute to this devotional)
The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas
Come, Let Us Adore Him: A Daily Advent Devotional
Christmas Music
Advent Playlist (These songs express the expectancy & waiting of the Advent season. The longing, ache, and joy in a promised Savior who will one day renew all things).
Hooray! If you made it this far, you deserve a Christmas cookie. I hope you were able to find one or two things from this list that you’ll incorporate into your Christmas celebrations this year. Also, in case you missed it at the beginning, if you’re looking for Christmas ideas for older kids, be sure to check out these ideas.
As we look forward to the excitement and anticipation of December may be we reminded of the real hope and joy we have that’s only found in Jesus. May your Christmas be simple, meaningful, and Jesus full.
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This site is so amazing! Such wonderful and cute variety of ideas!
I am so excited!!