Christmas Fun for Kids

Santa is making his list and checking it twice. Shoppers fill the stores and cash registers ring. Snow is blanketing the ground. Kids are getting excited as Christmas quickly approaches!

Christmas means more than just giving and getting presents. Kids love the time off from school and, if they’re lucky, playing in the snow. Snowman building, sleigh riding, jingle bells… all of these things remind kids of all ages that Christmas time is here! Children can pique their excitement over the holidays even more by visiting the following online resources where they can indulge in fun holiday activities!

Christmas History

• Santa Through the Ages – This site presents the history of Santa Claus, from Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra to today’s incarnation. Kids can click on each name to find out more about that Santa.
• The History of Gingerbread – Produced by Germantown Academy, this site features pictures and words presenting the history of gingerbread and why it is associated with Christmas.
• Rudolf & Reindeer – A short history of Rudolf and Santa’s other reindeer is presented on this site.
• Where Do Christmas Trees Really Come From? – This site features a click-able menu with a monkey guiding kids through a Christmas tree farm, complete with photos.
• Visions of Christmas – Presented by the American Antiquarian Society, this site features information on the history of Christmas, Santa and the Christmas tree. It is appropriate for children who are good readers, or can be read to younger children by adults.
• Birth of Jesus – Photos and excerpts from the Bible explain the birth of Jesus to children along with a letter from Santa.
• What Is Christmas? – Produced by Scholastic, clicking on the envelope that asks “what is Christmas” takes kids through a frame by frame explanation of the history of the holiday.
• Sue Ellen’s Scrapbook: Christmas – Presented by PBSKids, this site features children’s book characters from the Arthur series of books explaining the history of Christmas through words and pictures.

Christmas Traditions Around the World

• Christmas Virtual Field Trip – Clicking on “start field trip” takes kids through explanations and photos of Christmas celebrations all over the world.
• Holiday Traditions - A great and informative site about Christmas Around the World with information on Christmas traditions from over 50 countries.
• Christmas Around the World – Historical Christmas traditions and celebrations from a variety of countries including Australia, Canada and Greece are featured here.
• International Christmas Traditions – Christmas customs from the United States, Sweden, Norway and other countries are examined here.
• Christmas - Another page detailing the way Christmas in celebrated in other major countries.
• Christmas Traditions in France and Canada – Celebrations with families, the church, and communal festivities surrounding Christmas in France and Canada are presented here.
• Saying ‘Merry Christmas’ Around the World – This site presents 28 ways to say “Merry Christmas” in other countries.
• Christmas Around the World Webquest – This Christmas web quest for younger elementary students examines Christmas traditions from all over the world.

Christmas Trivia

• A Charlie Brown Christmas Quiz – This site presents an interactive quiz about the classic television holiday special.
• A Christmas Quiz – A kids Christmas quiz is presented here, with answers provided if you click on the link.
• Name the Reindeer – Kids must select the proper name of all of Santa’s reindeer from sound-alike words in this fun quiz.
• Virtual Christmas Tree Farm – Links on harvesting a Christmas tree from a Canadian farm are offered here, along with photos describing each step.
• Christmas Trivia for Kids – A fun, interactive Christmas quiz for kids is presented on this site.
• Interactive Christmas Trivia Quiz – This quiz tests the knowledge of kids of all ages on Christmas trivia, along with holiday music and interactive answers.
• Christmas Songs for Children Trivia Quiz – Knowledge about kids’ Christmas songs is tested in this fun quiz.

Christmas Stories, Poems, and Rhymes

• Christmas Songs – This site, which requires Quick Time to play includes a collection of both secular and religious Christmas songs in midi format.
• Christmas Stories Online – A click-able list of Christmas stories is presented here.
• Christmas Thoughts and Poems – Quotes about Christmas, Christmas poetry and brief anecdotes are included here.
• Thought Audio – This site presents narratives and free mp3 audio downloads of some of the most famous Christmas stories including “A Christmas Carol” and “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
• Christmas Stories and Poems to Print – A variety of printable worksheets including Christmas stories and poetry is presented here.
• Christmas Carol Words – A comprehensive list of popular Christmas carols is included on this site, along with the words to each song when kids click on the song’s title.
• Free Short Christmas Stories – Short kids’ Christmas stories such as “A Visit from St. Nicholas” are displayed on this site.

Christmas Activities

• Christmas Riddles & Jokes – Funny and kid-safe Christmas riddles and jokes are presented here.
• Send a Letter to Santa – This site lets kids create their own letter to Santa simply by filling in the blanks.
• Printable Christmas Coloring Pages – Christmas-themed coloring pages to print are on this website.
• Decorate the Virtual Christmas Tree – This interactive site with music allows kids to decorate a virtual Christmas tree with lights and ornaments.
• Make Your Own Snowflake – Clicking on “create your own snowflake” allows kids to click and drag and make their own snowflake.
• Holiday Fun – Sponsored by Canada Post, this site features Christmas fun and games for kids.
• Holiday List for Santa – Kids can create their own holiday wish list for Santa on this site.
• Santa’s Helper List – This site presents different tasks kids can help Santa with, such as feeding his turtles or walking his penguins.

Interactive Christmas Pages

• Mouse Control Activities: Decorate the Christmas Tree – Kids can click and drag ornaments onto a virtual Christmas tree.
• Christmas Memory Puzzle – A timed memory puzzle with a Christmas theme is presented here.
• Dress the Snowman – This interactive site lets kids click and drag clothing and facial features onto a virtual snowman.
• Create a Christmas Story – Kids can create their own Christmas story, featuring subjects and settings of their choice, at this site.
• NORAD Tracks Santa Claus – This popular interactive, multilingual website counts down to Christmas and tracks Santa Claus’ progress as he travels around the world.
• Claus.com – Many interactive Christmas-themed games and fun activities for kids are included on this website.
• Internet Based Christmas Scavenger Hunt – Created by an elementary school class, this site features a scavenger hunt where kids must find the answers by searching the Internet.
• Santa’s Jigsaw Puzzle – An interactive jigsaw puzzle for kids is presented on this website.
• Interactive Christmas Word Puzzle – This challenging, interactive Christmas word puzzle gives kids 60 seconds and 12 tries to find words relating to Christmas.

Article written by Janice D. McDonald