The Christmas tree is up in the window and the twinkle lights shine as my kids dance around the tree decorating in their cluttered way to favorite Christmas songs. This to me is the best part about Christmas.
Sure Christmas morning is fun. I like watching my kids and family open their presents and of course I love Christmas surprises. The best part of the holiday for me, however, is the preparation.
The carols and the lights.
The trees and the shopping.
And the decorating. My kids love the decorating most of all.
The Christmas tree is one of our favorite family traditions so it has inspired a lot of holiday crafting. I use the word “Christmas Craft” lightly because most of what we do is too open ended to really be considered a craft, but our house is filled with Christmas activities lately.
Today I thought I would share just our very favorite Christmas Tree books and activities. Make sure to check the bottom of the post for more Winter Holiday ideas for kids as well.
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Christmas Tree Story Time for Preschoolers
Read Christmas Tree Picture Books
The Carpenter’s Gift by David Rubel
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This book tells the story of the first tree in Rockefeller Center. It is a beautiful story about hope and Christmas that I discovered a few years ago. I shared it with our kids for the first time after their first New York adventure and it inspired our Kid-Made Ornament last year.
The Christmas Giant by Steve Light
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Steve Light is one of those authors that can’t seem to do wrong in my book. In this lovely tale, the giant and elf that are in charge of creating Christmas wrapping paper (apparently that’s a job) are down because their job for the year is done. Santa decides to put them in charge of growing the holiday tree for Christmastown which turns out to be a complicated and sometimes hazardous job. 4+
The Last Christmas Tree by Stephen Krensky
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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. 3+
Christmas Tree Book by Tomie dePaola
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I learned so much about Christmas Trees from this book. This is essentially a conversation between a little boy and his family about the tradition of Christmas Trees. Where did they come from? When did we start using tree stands? How they were originally decorated and when that changed? It is easily readable and answers questions about Christmas you probably didn’t even know you had. A great book to share with curious kids at Christmas time.
Christmas Farm
by Mary Lyn Ray
illustrated by Barry Root
This is a lovely story about a Christmas tree farm. It begins when a woman decides to plant 62 dozen balsam seedlings and follows them year after year as they keep count of how many trees perish and how many grow to become Christmas trees. It’s a fun look at Christmas tree farms, a different side of Christmas trees in general, and it lends itself well to a fun Christmas math lesson if you’re so inclined.
The Tree That’s Meant to Be
by Yuval Zommer
A story told from the perspective of a tree who doesn’t think it will ever be special enough to be chosen by a family. Zommer’s gentle, loving illustrations and warm story create a beautiful and unique Christmas story. This one is amazing for kids who love forest animals.
A Pinecone!
by Helen Yoon
A PINECONE! is the absolutely adorable sequel to OFF-LIMITS. This time Daddy and his curious daughter take the dog for a walk and while the Dad is hilariously distracted by the dog, the daughter starts a pinecone collection that gets a little out of control. Helen Yoon does a great job of capturing childlike wonder and the parenting experience. She skillfully pairs her simple text with illustrations that add layers of humor to the story. This is a great read aloud for preschoolers and up.
also read: Ultimate Guide to Christmas Books for All Ages
Sing Christmas Tree Songs
The Christmas Tree Song from Kids TV 123
The Dancing Christmas Tree Song from Kids TV 123
Three Christmas Trees from Maple Leaf Learning
Decorate a Tiny Tree Group Activity
This little tree I bought on a complete whim in a little store in Wisconsin and it has been one of our favorite things every year. The ornaments are simple yarn ornaments and pom poms with ornament hooks that my kids can decorate and re-decorate their tree with as often as they like. It sits in their playroom during the month of December and usually gets played with daily.
Materials:
Small Christmas Tree
Red Yarn
Pom Poms
Ornament Hooks
Activity:
Pass around ornaments to each child. Invite them to come up and hang them on the tree. This is surprisingly difficult for some depending on their fine motor skills. Offer help if needed by talking them through the steps of preparing the hook, finding a branch, and setting it on the branch.
Alternative Option:
If you don’t have a little tree, you can do a wall tree with felt. Make a large tree out of felt on the wall. Prepare felt ornaments and give these to the children to put on the tree.
2 Christmas Tree Table Activities
1. Invitation to Create Christmas Trees
I shared this one originally on Instagram when it popped into my head one afternoon. This is an invitation to create Christmas Trees with Magna-tiles and Loose Gems. I simply separated out the green trianges from our Magna-Tiles set and placed them on the Light Table with some gems.
Materials:
Light Table (order online)
Magna-Tiles (order online)
Glass Gems (order online)
Alternative:
You could also create a version with construction paper and various collage pieces if you don’t have a light table available in your space.
2. Christmas Tree Painting Invite
This one was inspired by the amazing Meri Cherry. She has this gorgeous, bright Christmas tree mural on her site and when I saw it I was immediately inspired. I had the idea of Christmas tree painting floating around in my mind and something about her project in a tub gave me the push I needed. I laid this out for my kids and they were huge fans. Our Art Wall is now covered with trees.
Materials:
Tree Base: Styrofoam or Cardboard
Tempera Paint
Paint Cups
Paint Brushes
Loose Parts: Cotton Balls, Construction Paper, etc.
Large Tub
Also Read: 8+ Joyful Christmas Story Times
Note: Parts of this post were originally shared on my parent site Bambini Travel in 2015.
Even More Winter Holiday Activity Ideas
Elf on the Shelf Stationary {9 Page Free Printables Pack} from Playdough & Popsicles
Festive Christmas Scavenger Hunt {Free Printable} from Crafty Mama in ME
Favorite Children’s Books about Santa from The Jenny Evolution
Holiday Learning Activities from iGameMom
Books about Christmas Elves for Kids from CraftCreateCalm
My Favourite Winter Holidays from Tales of Education at Home
Printable Christmas Cards to Color from Mrs. Karle’s Sight and Sound Reading
STEM Gifts for Kids from Schooling a Monkey
Winter Holidays Family Activities List from Planet Smarty Pants
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