Christmas is coming around so quickly! In today’s post I’m sharing five Christmas themed busy bag ideas to keep the little ones entertained between now and the big day so you can get stuff done. Going on a plane trip this holiday season? Got some family dinners at restaurants planned? Or just want a new activity on days at home? I hope you find these useful for keeping the kids busy.
5 Fun Christmas Busy Bags
1. Christmas Craft Stick Task Cards
Bag contents: Red and green craft sticks, printable task cards, viewtainer (optional)
I first discovered viewtainers (available from hardware stores hubby assures me) when we took our daughter on a road trip when she was about one and a half and they were the best thing ever to keep her busy. The great thing is that they have a slit in the lid – perfect for posting. For older children, these craft stick task cards will provide a great pre-Christmas challenge, creating pictures and patterns.
To download and print: Click here to open the PDF file. Download or save the PDF to your own computer. Open the PDF and print. When printing, select “Fit to printable area” (or similar) to ensure the page fits with your printer type and local paper size (these have been created at A4 size). For durability, print onto matte photo paper or lightweight cardstock and laminate. Personal, non commercial use only.
2. Drinking Straws Christmas Tree
Bag contents: Straws, plasticine or playdough, pom poms or other decorations
Challenge your child to first put the straws in order from tallest to shortest. Then roll the playdough into a long snake (save some for the pom poms). Push the straws onto the playdough. Decorate! Get creative with the decorations you’d include in this busy bag.
3. Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes
Bag contents: Red and white pipe cleaners, Cheerios (optional)
Just like the pop sticks, you can sort, count and make patterns with the red & white pipe cleaners.
Then get one of each colour and twist them together to make a candy cane. Thread on some cheerios and eat them if you wish!
4. Baubles Balance
Bag contents: Small baubles, cupcake wrappers
A nice simple one for tiny hands. This one is great for teaching one to one correspondence and counting. Colour matching too!
5. Fuzzy Felt Christmas Tree
Bag contents: Felt tree, felt shapes or pom poms and gems
Cut out a Christmas tree shape from the green felt and use other colours of felt, pipe cleaners, pom poms or gems for the decorations (depending on the age of your child). The best thing about this busy bag is that it’s absolutely silent!
Looking for more busy bags ideas? Try these!
Lauren Hunt is an Early Childhood Teacher who currently works part time teaching children in their first year of school. She is also mum to a two year old daughter. Lauren is passionate about play-based, hands-on learning and is certainly kept busy by her energetic toddler!
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