15 Holidays Around the World Activities, Crafts & Free File Kindergarten
- By Deedee Wills
- Updated on November 24
- 11 Comments
Table of Contents
Fun Kindergarten Holidays Around the World Activities
This time of year is the perfect chance to help students explore how different countries celebrate the season. If you are putting together a Holidays Around the World unit, I’ve gathered a few simple, kid-friendly ideas you can add right to your plans. You will find crafts, literacy centers, digital slides, and a few other classroom favorites that make this unit easy to teach and fun for your learners.
Why teach Holidays Around the World?
Introducing young students to holiday traditions from around the world does more than show them new customs. It is a great way to help build empathy and curiosity about people who may celebrate differently than they do.
When children see the many wonderful ways families celebrate around the globe, it opens the door to rich conversations about respect and inclusiveness. It is also a great opportunity to honor the cultural backgrounds represented in your classroom while keeping the learning hands-on and meaningful.
These world lessons are perfect for the month of December, just before the winter break! conversations about respect and inclusiveness. It is also a great opportunity to honor the cultural backgrounds represented in your classroom while keeping the learning hands-on and meaningful.
Understanding Cultural Diversity
Teaching young children about cultural diversity is crucial in today’s globalized society. By exposing them to different traditions and customs, we help them develop a sense of empathy and respect for others. Research has shown that children who learn about different cultures at a young age are more likely to embrace diversity and have a broader perspective on the world.
According to a study by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), cultural understanding in early childhood can promote positive social and emotional development, enhance cognitive skills, and contribute to a more inclusive classroom environment.
Christmas Holidays to Teach in Kindergarten and First Grade
During our Holidays Around the World unit, we spend late November and December exploring a variety of celebrations from different countries and cultures. Students get a peek into how families around the globe honor the season, and it quickly becomes one of their favorite parts of the year.
Here are the various countries and holidays we learn about:
Christmas in the United States
St. Nicholas Day in Germany
Christmas in Italy
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in India
Hanukkah, celebrated by Jewish families around the world
Noche Buena, a Christmas Eve celebration in the Philippines
St. Lucia Day in Sweden
Las Posadas in Mexico
Christmas in Russia
Kwanzaa, celebrated by many African American families
Christmas in England
Christmas in Australia
Ramadan in Afghanistan
Christmas in Brazil
Christmas in France
Holidays Around the World Teaching Slides
Teaching slides make it so easy to introduce different holidays from around the world. These PowerPoint presentations walk students through each celebration with interactive pieces that keep them engaged from start to finish. This sweet kindergarten class especially loved learning about Christmas in France, and the slides helped them follow along without missing a beat.
We kicked off this social studies lesson with a short video that introduced Christmas traditions commonly celebrated in French culture. It gave students a simple, visual way to see what the holiday looks like before we jumped into our activities.
Students had a great time learning about various celebrations in European countries, as well as, others around the world.
Each set of teaching slides comes with simple fill-in-the-blank fact sheets that students complete after watching the video on the first slide. It is a quick way to help them remember the key details for each holiday.
In addition to traditional holiday foods students might be familiar with, they also learn about traditional food from around the world.
The full bundle includes 15 different winter holidays, and everything is completely prep-free. You can take a closer look at the bundle here:
Holidays Around the World Math and Literacy Centers
Math and literacy centers were part of our everyday routine, so this time of year I loved weaving in winter holiday activities that tied into our Holidays Around the World unit. It gave students a chance to practice important skills while also exploring how different countries celebrate the season.
Fill the Stockings with Beginning Sounds
Feliz Navidad Syllables
Do you hear what I hear?
This is Christmas Emergent Reader
Your kindergarten students can practice tracing the word “this” while coloring pictures that show different holiday celebrations from around the world. It is a simple activity, but it keeps little hands busy and ties in perfectly with the unit.
You can find this center, along with many more math and literacy activities, in this bundle:
Holidays Around the World Digital Centers
If you have tablets or computers available, digital centers are a fun way to bring a little technology into your Holidays Around the World plans. I have also used them during whole group time when we have a few extra minutes before a transition. They are an easy way to keep students focused while squeezing in a quick review of a math or literacy skill. You can pull them up on your interactive whiteboard and work through the slides together.
I know a lot of schools are using online learning days whenever there is a snow day so they don’t have to make up extra time later. These digital centers work really well for that too. They are simple enough for younger learners to use at home and give families an easy activity to help keep the day on track.
There is a full set of center activities for both kindergarten and first grade. You can take a look at them here:
Holidays Around the World Craft Activities
Crafts are always a hit with students, and this unit is full of chances to bring each holiday to life. From a Christmas tree for England to a Menorah for Hanukkah, your students will have plenty of hands-on ways to explore different celebrations through art.
One of our favorites is creating paper versions of Russia’s Babushka Dolls. These traditional nesting dolls are usually painted wood, but students love making their own colorful paper sets.
Kinara Drawing
These sweet friends had a great time learning about African culture and drawing their own Kinaras.
A Kinara is a candleholder used during Kwanzaa, and each candle represents one of the holiday’s principles. There is a wonderful YouTube video that walks students through how to draw a Kinara step by step. You can check it out here:
Rangoli is a bright, decorative floor design that families create with clay, powder, or rice during Diwali. For this activity, students color their Rangoli design first and then paint over it with black watercolor. The colors peek through the paint, and it makes a really beautiful finished piece.
Tomten is a Christmas gnome from Sweden who visits homes on Christmas Eve and leaves small gifts for children. Students love learning about this tradition, and it is always a fun one to include in the unit.
Nativity scenes, or creches, are a well-loved Christmas tradition in France. Students enjoy seeing how families display them and how they might look a little different from the ones they see at home.
A Christmas Truck craft is a fun way to highlight how many families in Canada celebrate the holiday season. It is always a cheerful project to add to your rotation.
You have to make this craft if your school has a truck with trees in the back. This group of kindergarten friends had the best time with it, and they look absolutely PRECIOUS!
These crafts and others can be found in this unit:
Favorite Holidays Around the World Books
Books are one of my favorite ways to share family traditions during the Christmas season. They spark great conversations and help students connect with celebrations from around the world. Here are a few wonderful titles that fit perfectly with your Holidays Around the World unit.
Tomie DePaola has several wonderful books that introduce children to different holiday traditions. His stories are always a hit and make a great addition to this unit.
This Mexican tale shares the legend of the poinsettia and how it began with a young girl’s heartfelt gift to the Christ Child. Tomie dePaola, a well-loved author and Newbery Honor recipient, retells the story in a way that is gentle and full of Christmas warmth.
In this timeless picture book, Tomie dePaola shares an Italian Christmas folk story about Old Befana. His illustrations and storytelling add such warmth and depth as he follows her lifelong search for the Christ Child.
Follow a group of tiny gnomes as they travel in the most playful ways, from a little train to a flying dreidel. Their adventures help bring the spirit of Hanukkah to life in a fun and charming way for young readers.
On the eve of Kwanzaa, a young boy looks forward to celebrating with his family. Each night they light a candle, learn about their heritage, and take part in meaningful traditions together. It is a sweet story that helps students understand the heart of the holiday.
The tomten is a mystical, elf-like figure who wanders an old, quiet farm, making sure everything is safe and cared for. He brings comfort to the animals and anyone he meets along the way, which makes this story a cozy addition to your unit.
It’s Diwali time, and homes are decorated with beautiful Rangoli designs on the floor and flower garlands hanging in the doorways. Families ring bells, light lamps, and celebrate the New Year together. This story gives students a lovely peek into the Hindu Festival of Lights.
Teaching traditions to young children is about more than the activities. It is about creating a classroom where every student feels seen and where cultural diversity is celebrated and respected. Learning about holidays around the world is meaningful, but it is also a lot of fun for students and teachers alike. I hope these ideas make your unit a little easier to plan. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!
Free Winter Holiday Activities
Before you go, I have a little bonus for you. I added two free activities you can use right away in your Holidays Around the World plans. The first is a CVC game that gives students quick, hands-on practice with short vowel words. The second is a set of four math and literacy centers for Lunar New Year. They are easy to print, simple to prep, and perfect for small groups or independent work. Grab them, use them, and enjoy having a few extra tools in your pocket during this busy time of year!
Deedee Wills
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11 Responses
I just want to say….THANK YOU…for taking the time to post your "Peek At The Week". I know this takes a lot of time and we are very fortunate you are willing to be so giving! P.S. I bought the Writing Units 1 & 2 from you and Deanna Jump. I just LOVE using them with my students. Amber ~ Kindergarten Rocks Blog
Thank you Amber for taking the time to comment. Sometimes I wonder if people read them… LOL! I hope it helps.
I am thrilled to hear that our writing units are helpful. We hope to have our 4th one up by the end of the week… Where does all the time go?
Thank you again for your sweet comment!
Hi DeeDee~
We are LOVING your poetry units in my classroom! LOVING!! The kids can't get so excited on Monday mornings to see what our new poem is for the week. The poems are terrific!
I loved all of your pictures! The projects look great!
Robyn
DeeDee…
I know what you mean about wondering if anyone even reads the posts we share. White I was presenting in Indy, we were on my blog site and I had a new comment. I must have looked as "giddy" as a 4 year old getting a piece of candy. I had to read it right away! HA HA HA I have made it a goal of mine to make at least 3 comments a night before I go to bed. I follow so many amazing blogs that I wish I could comment on all of them. I do appreciate other teacher/bloggers taking the time to share their wondering ideas.
Hello there,
It seems like you are a great friend as I turn to your bog when I need motivation to remind me of why I do what I do. I loved the Nov and Dec Poetry pack. I didn't have time to implement the Nov. pack but I have been using the December and my students love it.
I do have a question, how many HFWs does your class learn in kinder? I know there are all different numbers out there. We use the HFWs in our Awards Reading program which is 37 but a fellow teacher in LA has her kids learn 100. My students are doing well with the 37 but if I introduce more they will probable learn them but I am just not sure. Sometimes just giving them more for the sake of giving them more just doesn't make sense.
What are your thoughts
Thank you,
Pat
Hi there, We have 54 word wall words. I would say about half of them can be decoded (can, big, sit, it, at, ….). Most of my students seem to master this list by the end of the 3rd quarter. I have a few who are close right now, but I have some who will need everyday of the school year to get there.
I hope that helps.
LOVE all the pictures. Your class looks like it is a great learning environment. Thanks for sharing!
ღDeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous
I LOVE YOUR LESSON PLANS!! Keep posting them!!!
I got your poetry stations for December and love, love love them! Can't seem to get the "Gingerbread Man" tune out of my head. I can't wait to purchase the rest. Going to my Principal to see if she will consider getting them for all of us n K! Love your work! You have given me tons of inspiration!
Amy
Thank you for sharing this great resource!
Yay! You are welcome!