Christmas story times are part of the magic of the holidays for me. I love Christmas children’s book, Christmas songs, Christmas crafts and fun. Just one Christmas story time is never enough for me.
I’m sharing eight of my favorite Christmas story times below. Eight might be a little overkill, but pick a few that work or sound best for you!
Merriest of Christmases.
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8+ Christmas Story Times
Each story time below has children’s books about a Christmas theme and related Christmas songs and Christmas activities.
1. Christmas Trees
Read: The Last Christmas Tree
The Last Christmas Tree
by Stephen Krensky
A Christmas tree lot is bursting with trees but none are more excited about the season than a tiny, pathetic tree. Days go by and no one notices the tree. Christmas Eve it is deserted and alone until suddenly it is picked and placed in a sled. Beautifully illustrated and full of Christmas spirit.
More Christmas Tree Themed Books:
The Carpenter’s Gift
by David Rubel
The Christmas Giant
by Steve Light
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
by Laura Numeroff
Sing:
- The Christmas Tree Song from Kids TV 123
- Three Christmas Trees from Maple Leaf Learning
Play, Make, and Learn:
- 3 Christmas Tree Creative Invitations from My Storytime Corner
- Crowded Tree Hunt with Cookie Mouse from Homebound but Hopeful
- Aluminum Foil Christmas Tree from The Joy Sharing
- Jingle Bell Christmas Tree Ornament from Mosswood Connections
- Christmas Tree Activities for the Whole Family from Babies to Bookworms
- Simple Wooden Kid Made Ornaments from My Storytime Corner
2. Nutcracker
Read: The Nutcracker
Nutcracker by Susan Jeffers
Find it Online
This book tells the classic story of the Nutcracker with beautiful paintings. I bought this one to add to our Christmas book collection.
More Nutcracker Themed Books:
Tallulah’s Nutcracker
by Marilyn Singer
Bea in the Nutcracker
by Rachel Isadora
The Nutcracker in Harlem
by T. E. McMorrow
Sing:
- Sing any Christmas Song
- Play the Dance of Sugar Plum Fairies and everyone get up and dance.
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Nutcracker Unit for Preschoolers from Bambini Travel
- Moveable Paper Plate Nutcracker Craft from Buggy and Buddy
3. The Nativity
Read: The First Christmas Night
The First Christmas Night
by Keith Christopher
This simple retelling of the Christmas story is a great introduction for preschoolers. It was through the traditional story but following the rhythm of the Night Before Christmas poem. Instead of telling the story of Santa popping into a house, it tells the story of Jesus being born with beautiful language and lovely painted illustrations.
More Nativity Themed Books:
Christmas Mouseling
by Dori Chaconas
The Little Drummer Boy
by Ezra Jack Keats
Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale
by Martin Waddell
Sing:
- The Little Drummer Boy
- Silent Night, Holy Night
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Re-Enact the Nativity Story with a Nativity Set
- Button Star Ornament from Fireflies and Mudpies
4. Silly Santa
Read: Aliens Love Panta Claus
Aliens Love Panta Claus
by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort
This is one of the silliest Christmas stories we have read. Aliens, who happen to love underpants, land and decide to give Santa Claus a hand. There is a lot of colorful underwear and silly Christmas fun.
More Silly Santa Books:
Samurai Santa: A Very Ninja Christmas
by Rubin Pingh
Dinosaur Vs. Santa
by Bob Shea
Santa Claus: The World’s Number One Toy Expert
by Marla Frazee
Ninja Claus!
by Arree Chung
Sing:
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Samurai Santa Snowball Battle with Free Printable from Homebound but Hopeful
- Read & Create: Dinosaur vs. Santa from Homebound but Hopeful
- Read & Create: Santa Claus The World’s Number One Toy Expert from Homebound but Hopeful
- CLICK for full post to get even more ideas.
5. Polar Express & The North Pole
Read: The Polar Express
The Polar Express
by Chris Van Alsburg
As I gushed above, The Polar Express is a magical book. It tells the tale of a young boy who is lying in bed on Christmas Eve. He hears a sound outside and when he looks out the window there in the middle of his block sits The Polar Express. It is a story of Christmas and Santa. It is a story of an adventure and magic. It is a story about believing. Brilliantly written to build suspense with carefully chosen words and illustrated with gorgeous paintings that could easily hang on a wall, this is a unique and wonderful story.
More Polar Express Themed Books:
The Christmas Tree Loved Trains
by Annie Silvestro
Two Trains
by Margaret Wise Brown
Sing:
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Polar Express Yoga from My Storytime Corner
- Polar Express Unit Ideas from My Storytime Corner
- North Pole Santa Scope Craft from The Preschool Toolbox Blog
- Have a Hot Cocoa bar
6. Gingerbread
Read: Gingerbread Baby
Gingerbread Baby
by Jan Brett
A little boy makes a gingerbread baby and it escapes! This book is full of excitement and adventure that lends itself to being read aloud. I love the cute, surprise ending.
More Gingerbread Themed Books:
Georgie the Gingerbread Fairy
by Lara Ede and Tim Bugbird
The Gingerbread Pirates
by Kristin Kladstrup
Gingerbread Christmas
by Jan Brett
Sing:
- 5 Gingerbread Men song
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Gingerbread Unit from My Storytime Corner
- How to Make Simple Gingerbread Houses from My Storytime Corner
- Homeschooling with Gingerbread from In Our Pond
- Holiday Gingerbread Magic Painting Activity from Homebound but Hopeful
- Games and Fun with the Gingerbread Baby from Babies to Bookworms
- Printable Yummy Gingerbread Man Book from A Dab of Glue Will Do
- Gingerbread House Card Making from Red Ted Art
- Gingerbread Stand Up Greeting Cards from Red Ted Art
- Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt from KCEdventures
7. Star Bright & Winter Lights
Read: Star Bright: A Christmas Story
Star Bright: A Christmas Story
by Alison McGhee and Peter H. Reynolds
The angels are all aflutter about a new baby that is about to be born. The newest angel can tell this baby is special and wants to give him a gift of her own, but what? Traditionalists are probably going to be irked by the quirky angel depiction and the liberties taken with the story of the Nativity, but I think this book is a delight. A beautiful story about giving gifts of the most lovely and pure kind. The words are artful and moving and the illustrations are creative and stunning. This is one of our favorite Christmas stories.
More Star & Winter Lights Themed Books:
Winter Candle
by Jeron Ashford
Light the Lights
by Margaret Moorman
Sing:
- Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star from the Kidboomers
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Star Bright Ornament on My Storytime Corner
- Winter Candle Picture Book Lesson Plan from Mosswood Connections
- Button Star Ornament from Fireflies and Mudpies
8. The Grinch & Reindeer
Read: The Grinch
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
by Dr. Seuss
A classic. The Grinch who hates the Whos because of their enthusiasm and cheer for Christmas decides to steal Christmas. I love the message about the meaning of Christmas and kids just love Dr. Seuss and all his silliness.
More Grinch & Reindeer Themed Books:
Olive, The Other Reindeer
by Vivian Walsh
illustrated by J.otto Seibold
The Naughtiest Reindeer
by Nicki Greenberg
The Little Reindeer
by Nicola Killen
Dasher
by Matt Tavares
Sing:
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Getting Grincy with the Grinch from In Our Pond
- Three Sizes Grinch Slime Recipe for Kids to Make This Christmas from Little Bins for Little Hands
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Printable Craft from Homebound but Hopeful
- Christmas Science: Grow the Grinch’s Heart from Creative Family Fun
- Make Reindeer Food
- The Naughtiest Reindeer Craft from The Craft Train
- Have a How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Olive, The Other Reindeer Movie Marathon
- The Grinch Christmas Ornament Craft from Buggy and Buddy
- Grinch Playdough from Natural Beach Living
- Reindeer Storytime from My Storytime Corner
Bonus. Baby / Toddler Christmas Story Time Ideas
Read: Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
I love the way Dewdney captures the big emotions of young kids. Her holiday book combines those emotions and her trademark rhyming energetic text with the Christmas season. A great read aloud for little kids this time of year.
More Baby & Toddler Christmas Books:
Counting Christmas
by Karen Katz
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
by Karma Wilson
Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
by Alice Schertle
Sing:
- Jingle Bells (I recommend giving each little one a jingle bell to ring)
Play, Make, and Learn:
- Counting Christmas Story Time with Printable Math Cards from Homebound but Hopeful
- Montessori Inspired Gingerbread Baby Activities from Natural Beach Living
