Christmas activities for home & classroom
Christmas elf ideas for little learners
Elves love to learn — just like you! If a Christmas elf is visiting your home or classroom, invite your little buddy to count, read, write and create with you.
These five original pretend-play ideas use everyday supplies. Choose the version that fits your learner, from Kindergarten through Grade 3.
Free letter to Santa
1. Count the elf’s cookie order
Gather: Paper circles, a pencil and a pretend order slip.
Your elf has a bakery order to fill. Draw six cookies, count each one and write the total. Then make a new order together.
- For younger learners
- Count up to six and match the cookies to a written number.
- For growing readers & writers
- Try 5 + 3 cookies in Grade 1, 24 + 18 in Grade 2, or six equal groups of four in Grade 3.
2. Read a tiny cocoa menu
Gather: Paper, crayons and a few pretend café choices.
Leave your visiting elf a menu with cocoa, milk and water. Read the choices together, then draw or write an order for a friend.
- For younger learners
- Draw each drink and say its beginning sound. An adult can write the labels.
- For growing readers & writers
- Write a complete order sentence, then add a friendly question or describe your café in a paragraph.
3. Open an elf kindness post office
Gather: Paper, an envelope and a pencil.
Your elf wants to send a kind message. Write or dictate a thank-you note to someone who helped you. Count the envelopes before delivering your pretend mail.
- For younger learners
- Draw the person and dictate a thank-you sentence.
- For growing readers & writers
- Explain what the person did and why it mattered. Add a greeting and a closing.
4. Sort the elf’s toy workshop
Gather: A small collection of blocks or toys and paper labels.
Help your learning buddy organize the workshop. Sort toys by a feature you choose, such as color, shape or size. Explain your sorting rule.
- For younger learners
- Count the toys in each group and compare which has more.
- For growing readers & writers
- Write addition totals or arrange blocks into equal groups and write a multiplication equation.
5. Write a letter to Santa together
Gather: Our free letter page, a pencil and crayons.
Tell Santa something you enjoyed learning, one kind thing you did and something you wish for. Finish with a drawing and your name.
- For younger learners
- Draw your answers and let an adult write the words you say.
- For growing readers & writers
- Write complete sentences. Grade 3 writers can add details that explain their ideas.
A little magic, at your learner’s pace
An elf can be a curious companion, not a judge of right answers. Let your child choose an activity, work together and enjoy the story. These are supplemental activities, not a complete curriculum.
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