Brrrrrr!!
Turn up the warmth (and learning) with these fun December themes for preschool to keep your little ones having fun all month long.
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
Why Use December Themes in Preschool
December is often times has short school weeks because of Christmas and New Year’s.
Take advantage of the learning time with focused, fun December themes for preschool.
It’s easier to come up with ideas for things to do with little ones when there is a topic or theme.
The list below offers fun suggestions that shouldn’t be too hard to come up with crafts, activities, or books to go along with.
Everyone is ready for a break in December!
Make it entertaining and engaging to keep the learning happening with minimal meltdowns (from the adults and the kids).
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
What to Do with the Preschool December Themes
After choosing December themes for preschool that will work with your schedule, search for books, activities, crafts, shows, etc., that match the theme.
Not everything has to match the theme for the week, but having a few focused things about the theme is nice.
December Themes for Preschool
Gingerbread
Decorate gingerbread cookies, read the various versions of The Gingerbread Man, and retell the stories using felt pieces.
These are just a few things you can do with gingerbread as a theme.
Practice pattern work using pom poms on gingerbread cutouts.
Create a STEM challenge for preschoolers by having them create a way to get the gingerbread cookie across the water without getting wet (or eaten).
Snow and Snowflakes
Explore what conditions are needed to make it snow.
If you live in an area that gets snow, collect a full cup of snow and let it melt.
See how long it takes, how much water it melts down to, and how clear the water is.
Create snowflakes from various mediums (chenille stems, beads, paper, tangram blocks).
Let your little ones lead the way on where snow week goes.
This is one of the December themes for preschool that may lead to longer than a week’s worth of exploration.
Winter Solstice and Shadows
The winter solstice marks the day that has the least amount of daylight.
Celebrate this amazing day by playing with shadows.
Figure out how shadows work (where does the light have to be to make a shadow).
Create shadow puppets.
Read stories with shadows and try to guess what makes the shadow.
Holiday(s)
Learn about how different people celebrate different holidays around the world.
Or learn more about the holiday your family celebrates.
This would be the week to talk about stocking, Santa, reindeer, etc., if applicable.
Remember that if you are in a classroom setting, not everyone may celebrate a holiday.
How could we have a December themes for preschool list without at least mentioning holidays?
New Year’s
Make goals for the new year!
Talk about the new year and the change of the number in the ones place.
Perhaps even have a “noon” day celebration where you count down until 12 in the afternoon.
Then celebrate it like you would at midnight.
Cheers with grape juice, wish everyone a Happy New Year, and maybe even color some New Year’s bookmarks.
Winter
What do animals do in the winter?
Talk about what animals migrate and what they do if they don’t.
Don’t forget to look into pond life to see what happens to those critters, too.
Share insight into the different seasons and what winter has to offer.
Preschool December Themes
With minimal school days, making the ones you have count is essential.
December themes for preschool provide a great way to keep little ones engaged and not bouncing off the walls (for the most part).