December in the classroom can feel magical… and a little wild. Between concerts, crafts, and countdowns, it’s easy for structure (and sanity!) to slip away. That’s why I lean into hands-on, low-prep activities that keep students engaged while giving me a chance to breathe.
If you’re teaching in French, English, or both, here’s how to make the most of the season—without adding chaos to your plate.
1. Try My Favourite Holiday Bundle
My Hands-On Christmas Centre Bundle is a classroom lifesaver this time of year. It includes bilingual activities designed for both French and English classrooms, so you can teach confidently no matter which language day it is.
Inside you’ll find:
🎄 Roll & Build – Perfect for creativity and fine motor skills.
🖍️ Pin Art – A quiet centre where students poke out holiday shapes (fine motor gold!).
🧩 Geometry Shape Building – Students use shapes to recreate seasonal images.
✂️ Torn Paper Art – A fun way to build hand strength and explore textures.
Each activity encourages hands-on play, skill development, and a calm kind of engagement that teachers really appreciate in December.
2. Keep Centres Simple (and Purposeful)
The holidays are exciting enough—your activities don’t need to be complicated. I like to set up a few fine motor and math-based centres that can easily rotate between groups.
Think patterning with red and green chain links, beading candy cane patterns, or sorting holiday-themed manipulatives. Students stay busy, build skills, and feel festive—all without the glitter explosion.
3. Let Go of Perfect
Here’s your reminder: activities don’t have to look picture-perfect to be meaningful.
Your students will remember the joy of learning together far more than the matching ribbons or perfect bulletin board borders. If your classroom feels a little messy—but your kids are engaged—you’re doing it right. ❤️
Make December Joyful (and Manageable!)
Teaching during the holidays can be fun, cozy, and low-stress when we focus on what matters: connection, creativity, and calm.
✨ Ready to bring hands-on learning to your holiday classroom?
Check out my Hands-On Christmas Centre Bundle on TPT for engaging, bilingual activities that make December both magical and manageable.