The last few weeks before the holiday break is a whirlwind of activities, sugar, and overstimulation. Not only do the students feel this, but as teachers, we’re probably overbooked, have a REALLY long list, and lesson planning is always hard knowing students’ attention spans are shortened. Here are some easy last minute Christmas and holiday activities that you can pull out quickly that don’t require a lot of prep!

Play Alongs

There are a TON of play alongs available for the holidays. These are a few from some of the creators.

• The Nutcracker March Play Along by Mrs. Stouffer’s Music Room
• You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch Play Along from Miranda Lopez
• Winter Rhythm Play-Along: Easy Version from Mr. Henry
• The Elf Rap from Mr. Henry
• Mele Kalikimaka from Sunrise Kids
• Feliz Navidad Rhythm Stick Play Along from NRES Music
• Kinara Rhythm Jam – A Kwanzaa Rhythm Play Along by Music with Meghan
• Jingle Bell Rock Body Percussion from Laboratori di Musica per Infanzia e Primaria
• Feliz Navidad from New New Channel
• Kwanzaa Iconic Notation Rhythm Play Along by Michaela Korte Music
• Dreidel Dreidel Play Along from Hinton Elementary
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas from Boomwhacker Play Along from Musication
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Body Percussion from Mr. May
• All I Want for Christmas is You by Rhythm Brain Break
• O Chanukah Body Percussion Play Along from Teach Kids Music
• Winter Wonderland Rhythm Stick Play Along by NRES Music
• Winter Wonderland Boomwhacker Play Along from Musication
• Carol of the Bells Body Percussion Play Along from Música de Colores
• Latke Recipe Bucket Drumming by Jenna Wylie
• Song of the Sleigh Bells by Music With Mr. DelGaudio
• Somewhere In My Memory Handbells Play Along by Symphonic Sounds

Dance It Out

• Gingerbread Man Dance and Freeze from Jack Hartmann
• Rudolph Freeze Dance from Jack Hartmann
• Yes I Want to Build a Snowman from Go Noodle
• Nutcracker March Stretchy Band Activity from Bow Tie Music
• Hanukkah Freeze Dance by The Sunny and Cecil Show
• Sugar Plum Fairy Scarf Dance by Jodi Childs
• Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers – Snowflake Scarf Dance from Soaring Scarves Academy

Easy Fun

Composing!

• Sleigh Composing
• Hot Chocolate Composing
• Sugar Plum Fairy Composing
• Christmas, Hanukkah & Winter Composing – This set has 4 variations so you can cover all your students, or your situation.
• Winter Composing
• Nutcracker Composing
• New Year’s Composing

Practice Games

Here are a few download and project games that you can practice rhythm or solfege reading.

Ugly Sweater Versions
Build a Gingerbread House Versions

Bonus Blog Posts

Here are some blog posts with winter and holiday themed round ups to give you some more ideas. I didn’t include their info in here just to make this a little more readable.

• Jingle-y Fun
• Holiday Activities for Music Class
• Three Activities for the Sugar Plum Fairy
• December Resource Roundup (This is an older post but what is there is still good!)

Books

If you are teaching the Nutcracker, you may be talking about what goes on behind the scenes, the preparation, and more. There are Eight Not-Just-the-Story Nutcracker Books that you can use to open up those conversations.

Instead of listing books, I’m going to urge you to check on www.theultimatemusidedbooklist.com. There are actually a large number of books for the winter holidays including song based books as well. If you scroll all the way to the right you should see a category called “Holiday” and it will help you sort the books.

A Few Things for the Teacher

A few ideas for you to make your break more relaxing!

• Eight Things You Need to Do This Break.
• This Music Teacher’s Guide to Holiday Break 
• What To Do Before Leaving School for Break

I hope this has given you some ideas! Make sure you keep an eye out for my 12 Days of Music which starts December 26th!
Happy Holidays!!