Summer festive fun ideas for early learners

Here are six ideas for things to do with your children this festive season.

Summer Santa Storytime

Let your child’s imagination soar through the wonder of literature. Festive stories are a perfect way to explore how the festive season is celebrated throughout the world. Let’s these books inspire your child to create their own summer Santa story.

You will need – a summer themed festive story of your choosing, paper and drawing materials

How to make your story:

1. Together read your chosen summer themed festive story and discuss how Christmas looks across different places within the world. Perhaps ask your child “What do you think Santa does during summer?”
2. Collect your paper and drawing materials and let your child’s imagination come to life. They can create their very own short story through their responses to narrate what they think Santa does during Summer.

Decorate your Christmas tree – sustainably

Get hands on with this nature inspired craft idea that brings together fine motor skills and a sustainable focus. Create your very own Nature Tree Ornaments with three simple steps.

You will need: a selection of flowers and leaves, twigs, some ribbon or twine and decoration materials like paint

How to make your ornaments:

1. Lay out your selection of leaves which will form the base of each ornament
2. Decorate each leaf with your chosen flowers and decorative materials
3. When dry create a hole in the top of each leaf and tie a short piece of your ribbon or twine to create a loop
4. Hang your new ornaments on your Christmas tree

Reindeer Yoga

Create a calm environment through music, movement and mindfulness. This experience is perfect for building balance, body awareness and mindfulness.

You will need: a yoga mat or soft floor space.

What you will do:

1. Show your child simple movements like “Reindeer antlers” (hands on head), “Santa sleigh” (lying flat with arms stretched).
2. Hold each movement for a few breaths letting the body relax.

Christmas Treasure Hunt

Enjoy the outdoors with this Christmas themed treasure hunt – perfect for exploring an outdoor space at home or in a local park using things you already have at home.

*This can even be done indoors

You will need: small festive items like ornaments that can be hidden outdoors and a basket or bucket.

How to make your Christmas treasure hunt:

1. Take some time to set your hunt by hiding your chosen items in places to find around your space
2. Give your child their basket and some clues to help them complete the hunt.
3. Let them explore and guide them in completing the Christmas treasure hunt.
4. Celebrate their findings by going through what is in their basket.

Fruit Tree Skewers

Create healthy festive treats perfect for those warmer summer days – a great way to boost their culinary skills. These Fruit Christmas Trees are customisable to suit the dietary requirements of your children.

To make your Christmas Fruit Trees you will need some kiwi fruit, melon, strawberries and skewers. *Parents can choose their fruit of preference, these selections are a guide.

Here is how to put them together:

1. For your child, cut their fruit into star and triangle pieces (any left over pieces can be saved for a fruit snack on another day)
2. Help your child construct their tree by stacking the triangle pieces followed by the star onto the skewer
3. Plate and enjoy!

Secret Santa Acts of Kindness

Guide your child in the values of Christmas through acts of generosity, empathy and community involvement. Together you can create a ‘Secret Santa Acts of Kindness’.

Here is what you need: a jar or container, some slips of paper and writing materials

How to make your ‘Secret Santa Acts of Kindness’:

1. Using your writing materials and slips of paper, write down some festive inspired acts of kindness onto each piece. Some idea are: helping a sibling or friend, sharing a toy or giving someone a personalised Christmas Card.
2. Place your acts into your jar or container.
3. Each day, pick one act from the jar or container with your child and together carry out you ‘Secret Santa Act of Kindness’

These six simple festive ideas are a great way to provide enriching learning and fun in the comfort of your home. Bringing together the magic of the festive season with the summer weather, there is something for every early learner to enjoy this festive season.

*These ideas have been drawn from a range of digital resources