Songs & Fingerplays

 

Away In A Manger

  • We sing the melody found in this piano music. If you’ve got a piano around (or even a piano app on your phone/ iPad), it’s a one finger melody you can play or start to teach your child.

  • There are a few different melodies for this song (Christian Worship Hymn 68 is one version). Sing what you like best or learn both melodies!

  • Preschooler-age especially will be able to learn the sign language for this song and I can guarantee at any age, they’ll feel so proud of themselves that they know the actions. The video linked has the sign language for all three verses.

 

Jingle Bells

  • Grab those jingle bells to shake!

  • PLEASE be aware that each bell has small metal parts within it and to never leave your young child unattended with the jingle bells. Keep them special! :)

  • I’m linking a version that’s a “repeat after me” and then “all together”. If you’re looking to help your little one catch on to more of the words, this is a great way to do it! This method words well to teach any song, by breaking it apart phrase by phrase so they can copy you and build confidence that they’re saying the same words as you.

Arts & Crafts

Paper Strip Christmas Tree

  • Paper plate, paper strips, paper star, paint

    • Grab a glue stick, paint brush, paint shirt, and prepare a place to paint for easy clean-up. (old papers / tray)

    • Set the plate down like how you would eat off of it. The side facing up at you is the side to paint. Paint! “Back” is written on the other side for glueing later.

    • Go wash off painted fingers, etc if you’d like to give the plate a second to dry.

    • Flip the plate over to the “Back” side and glue paper strips across the triangle hole.

    • Once strips are glued, flip the plate over to see how it looks! Add your star on top of your tree and any extra decorations you have around the house if you’d like. (sequins, glitter, stickers, pom poms, etc)

Fingerprint Christmas Tree

  • Cardstock, paper tree cut-out, paint

    • Grab tape and tape the tree where your child would like it to be on the paper. Rolled tape works well. You’ll be taking the tree off after painting so don’t tape it down for good.

    • Time to start painting! Dip fingers in the paint and paint all over the white paper. Paint all along the edge of the tree to help it show up well at the end. (or if you’re like my child, use a paintbrush - that’s fine too!)

    • When you’re finished painting, slowly peel off the tree shape to reveal your Christmas tree!

 

 Bonus Activities 

Click pictures for links to see more

With how busy December usually is, don’t forget to take enough time for yourself too, caregivers everywhere! Here are some things you can feel great about doing in your free time:

  • Take a well-deserved nap!

  • Grab your Bible / Bible app and start or catch up on a reading plan.

  • Grab any physical book to read for fun. (Children’s books not allowed, sorry!)

  • Get a workout or stretching session in your day.

  • Do something YOU enjoy: crafting, baking, etc.

  • Call/ message a friend or family member you haven’t talked to in a while.


As for the kiddos, here are a few extra fun activities and these can even be gifted if you’d like! Click the pictures for more info and how-to’s:

  • Cinnamon Ornaments

  • Cinnamon (Optional) salt dough ornaments

  • Handprint / Footprint salt dough ornaments

  • DIY Wrapping Paper

    • Have easel paper sitting around somewhere? Pretty sure you may even find a roll of plain white or red paper at dollar tree in the “gift paper” section just for this purpose!

  • Q-Tip Painting Lights

    • Click the Christmas lights template below for quick printing.