It's Christmas!!! (Just a bit different this year)

I tried to avoid it for as long as possible but there is no getting away from the fact that Christmas is just around the corner. It is great that families are finding ways to celebrate and enjoy the outdoors but it may mean more time at home this year.

I know the recent changing of rules has thrown plans into disarray and hope you manage to find some happy times and new ways to celebrate. I'm hoping for crisp, cold but dry weather so we can get outdoors.

My nephew loved our trip to the big local playpark as much as he did previous themed festive days out - it reminded me that children are so adaptable and often they just want space to run & let their imaginations go wild.

Just in case you run out of Christmas films I thought I'd share a few resources to keep you busy over the Christmas period.

Here are my play prompts for filling the Christmas holiday days at home:

Play at home IDEAS (4).pdf

Download PDF • 272KB

If you you fancy trying some Christmas science there is a fun video from Thinktank here. I loved the beads trick! You can also follow their naughty elves on Instagram until Christmas Eve before they rush off back to the North Pole!

Another fun science idea is to make festive oobleck (if you don't mind mess!) Try these instructions here.

Little bins has some great ideas that mix craft, science & Christmas. This is a lovely STEM craft using just paper & string: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/paper-spinner/

This decoration craft combines STEM and abstract art, really love this one: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/mondrian-christmas-tree/

Here are some lovely Christmas recipes for children to help with, including the classic window biscuit which is actually a lovely way to introduce changing materials and liquids and solids!

I really like this blog post all about reading at Christmas with a nice reading challenge to download & tick off here.

If you are looking for free printables Baker Ross have added some very cute Christmas ones, the bookmarks would make a lovely homemade gift that could be posted.

If you do head out for a walk why not take some treasure hunt prompts with you:

winter nature hunt.pdf

Download PDF • 1.11MB

Hope you have a very merry Christmas, however you celebrate, and that brighter days are ahead in 2021.

Take care

Sarah