Kindergarten and Preschool Christmas Theme Crafts
Literature Activities for Kindergarten and Preschool - The Polar Express
The Polar Express Activities
After reading "The Polar Express" the children can read together with a predictable chart or big book a follow-up to the story. This would be used to model the reading process. The lines are repetitive enough that the children will be able to read the text once it has been introduced to them and practiced several times together. A sample page from the big book that was made, is seen in the photograph below. The pictures were glued on poster board and the print was enlarged. There is also accompanying emergent reader that would be used for the children to practice on their own and take home to read to family members.
The text reads as follows:
What did the boy see when he went on the Polar Express?
Page 2 - The boy rode the Polar Express.
Page 3 - He saw lights.
Page 4 - He saw wolves.
Page 5 - He saw mountains
Page 6 - He saw the North Pole.
Page 7 - He saw Santa and his elves.
Page 8 - He saw the sleigh.
Page 9 - He saw the silver bell.
Page 10 - He saw the magic of Christmas.
Sample Page from the Emergent Reader
 Reader and enlarged pictures are found in the theme book or member's area.
Follow-Up Kindergarten and Preschool Christmas Craft Suggestions
Christmas Elf Craft
A Room Full of Elves
This makes a wonderful bulletin board display or Christmas ornament (could be laminated and a string or pipe cleaner could be attached to hang it from the Christmas tree).
1. Take a picture of each child's face. This will require cropping to approximately a 4 X6 head size (150 zoom).
2. Copy the elf template onto white card stock.
3. Have children color the elf .
4. The hat, body and face is cut .
5. Arrange the elf as shown in the picture and glue it together
Templates found in the theme book or member's area.
 Christmas Sleigh Craft or Polar Express
This makes a delightful little treat holder for the little ones!
1. Cut the top of a 150 ml milk carton.
2. Trace the templates onto red construction paper
3. Cut and glue the strip around the milk carton and then add the sides of the sleigh
4. Color and cut out Santa and add him to the front of the sleigh.
5. Add craft sticks to the base of the sleigh. 
6. Add colorful shreddings inside the container and fill it with delightful treats!
 Stain Glass Craft
This craft looks gorgeous mounted on a window or a bulletin board. Have the children choose a template from the theme book or member's area. Copy the template on an overhead transparency. Have the children color the template using permanent markers. Glue gold or silver (tinfoil) behind the picture and you have a beautiful stained glass creation!
Templates found in the theme book or member's area.
Kindergarten and Preschool Christmas Crafts - More Ideas
 Christmas Tree Shape Craft - Christmas Tree Lesson Plan for Preschool and Kindergarten
1. Copy the shapes (triangle, rectangle, circles and star) onto card stock.
2. Children trace the triangle tree onto green construction paper and the trunk onto brown. These shapes are cut out and glued to form the tree.
3. The circles and star are traced onto shiny gift wrap paper, cut, glued and added to the tree for the ornaments.
4. Glitter glue could be used for finishing touches.
Templates found in the theme book or member's area.
Christmas Stocking Craft for Kindergarten and Preschool 
- Children trace the two stocking outlines onto red card stock .
- An adult can hole punch the stocking (secure with a paper clip).
- Children weave ribbon or yarn to hold the the stocking outlines together.
- Add decorations to complete the craft.
Templates found in the theme book or member's area.
 Christmas Crafts for Kindergarten and Preschool
Christmas Craft Wreath
- Copy the wreath template on p.12 of the Christmas theme book onto card stock. Enough copies for each child in your classroom.
- Cut green tissue paper into small squares using the paper cutter (approximately 1 cm squares)
- Children paint the template green
- Once the template is dry, it is cut out
- Glue a red bow on top (optional)
- Children scrunch the tissue paper squares or shape them over the eraser part of a pencil.
- Dip the square into white glue
- Add the tissue paper onto the wreath
Kindergarten and Preschool Christmas Ornaments
Christmas Craft Dough Ornaments - Oatmeal Clay
Oatmeal clay was used to make the wreath ornament because this adds a little texture.
Oatmeal Clay
- 1 cup of rolled oats (instant or old fashioned)
- 2/3 cup of flour (possibly more)
- 1/2 cup of water
- food coloring
Note: If you wish to add food coloring to the clay, it works best to add it to the water.
- Mix all the ingredients together
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until it is smooth and not sticky
- Give each child a ball of dough
- Have them roll it out and cut it out according to what shape you wish
- It takes 1 - 2 days to dry. Note: make a hole at the top to insert something to hang the ornament with.
- Add the decorations (paint if you didn't use food coloring)
 Christmas Stocking Shape Card
This a good craft to do after reading the emergent reader Quietly, Quietly found in the Christmas theme book on pages 16-19.
1. Copy the template in the link below.
2. Fold it in half and color or sponge paint the stocking red or use it as a tracer on red construction paper ( ensure it is letter-sized construction paper).
3. Cut along the bold lines of the stocking part leaving the folded part uncut.
4. Children can cut the outside and inside verses along the dotted lines in the links below. The pictures on the verses can be colored (optional) and glued to the outside and inside of the card.
5. Glue on other decorations like tinsel, sequins and glitter glue,
Template for Stocking Shape Card
Stocking verses for the Card
More Christmas Theme and Craft Ideas Click Here
 Information on How to Gain Access to This Theme Plus
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