The Chaos and the Clutter

Christmas

Nativity Sensory Activities

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The holidays are a wonderful time to use sensory play. With all the hustle and bustle, it can become even more important for kids to have down time and sensory play allows them to do that. These Nativity sensory activities bring the true meaning of Christmas into that sensory play. a collage of different children's play opportunities with text that reads "Nativity Sensory Activities"

Nativity Sensory Activities:

Invite kids to engage both their creativity and senses with a station for Nativity Playdough.

A perhaps unexpected sensory play recipe is this one for Nativity Slime. It’s a favourite with kids.

Our Nativity Sensory Bottle Snow Globe is a great way to help kids focus on the Christmas story as they try to follow along by finding the corresponding items in the bottle.

We used the same buttons to create our Nativity Sensory Bag.

The Christmas story is the main event with the Sensory Nativity Story Box from The Fairy and The Frog.

Create your own Felt Nativity for kids to interact with like the one at Mama Smiles.

Nativity Sensory Bins:

Our O Holy Night Sensory Bin is a very simple one that keeps the focus on baby Jesus. It costs next to nothing to put together.

The Nativity Sensory Bin at Growing Hands on Kids incorporates homemade elements so kids can really be involved in the process of creating the bin with you. It allows them to make Christmas crafts and then play with those in a very hands-on way.

Away in a Manger Nativity Sensory Bin from The OT Toolbox again begins with kids helping to create the elements that will be used inside the bin, this time making adorable egg carton characters and animals.

Catholic Icing shares their Playmobil Nativity Sensory Bin which has the cutest little stone walking paths and uses blocks to create the buildings.

Happy Hooligans Nativity Sensory Bin for Toddlers and Preschoolers uses any store bought nativity set that you already have so it can be thrown together in a flash.

Children can get in on the story telling with this Nativity Scene Small World Play from The Imagination Tree.

You might also be interested in checking out:

Nativity Chalk Silhouette

Nativity Crafts for ChildrenNativity Crafts and Activities to celebrate the season of Christmas

Deconstructed Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle

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I am so in love with this Deconstructed Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle! It’s really simple and yet, it’s got this kind of whimsical quality to it that reminds me of something Dr. Seuss would have created. little hands hold a bottle full of green pompoms, tiny ornaments, and a star with text that reads "Deconstructed Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle"This is a great quiet activity for kids in amongst the hubbub of the holidays. Every year, I make several seasonal inspired sensory bottles for the kids like our Melted Snowman, Christmas Tree, and Nativity Sensory Bottles. They are small enough that kids can take it with them wherever they go.

Deconstructed Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle:

Supplies needed:

Directions:

  1. Fill the bottle about a quarter of the way with clear dish soap.
  2. Add the pompoms.
  3. Drop in the mini lights, ornaments, garland, and lastly, top it off with the Christmas star.
  4. If there is any space left in the bottle, fill to the top with water.
  5. Replace the lid. If you’re using this with younger kids, hot glue the lid in place to secure.

You can find the supplies to fill this at the Dollar Store, Hobby Lobby, or on Amazon. Of course as with any sensory activity, adult supervision should be used at all times even if the lid is secured in place.

This really does look like a deconstructed Christmas tree in a bottle. It has all the decorations that would be on a tree, right down to the star topper. It even seems to almost look like it’s lit up when you hold it up to the light. It’s so cool!

Sensory and Learning Opportunities for Kids:

If preschoolers are playing with this, you can have them practise colours and counting but asking questions such as, “how many red Christmas lights can you find?” or “Can you count how many silver ornaments there are?”

Exploring with this sensory bottle engages the visual, tactile, and proprioception sensory systems. Sensory play is an important part of learning and development.

Check out these Christmas Sensory Bottles:

Nativity Sensory BottleMelted Snowman Sensory Bottle

Christmas Counting I-Spy Sensory Bottle

Nativity Sensory Bottle Snow Globe

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Is it weird to call a sensory bottle “beautiful”?! Because I really think this one is. The soft colours combined with the calming falling snow make this Nativity Sensory Bottle Snow Globe so pretty.

Sometimes parents can assume that the holidays are a time when kids don’t need as much sensory input because there are so many other things going on, but the opposite is actually true. With the change in routine and all the hubbub, children actually need more regular and varied sensory play to help them manage emotions and mitigate stress. We also use our Christmas Calm Down Kit for this purpose. clear bottle filled with clear liquid, falling snow, and the nativity icons with text that reads "Nativity Sensory Bottle"

I love this Nativity Sensory Bottle as a holiday activity. It highlights the reason for the season. It also creates kind of a snow globe effect because of the snowflakes and glitter. And watching that fall helps kids (or adults) to regulate their breathing and feel more calm.

Nativity Sensory Bottle Snow Globe:

Supplies needed:

Directions:

  1. Fill a plastic bottle about halfway with clear dish soap.
  2. Drop in some glitter.
  3. Add some of the snowflake buttons.
  4. Drop in all the people (buttons) that belong in the nativity scene.
  5. Fill the remaining space with water and screw on the lid.
  6. I suggest that you super glue the lid in place to prevent kids from opening the bottle.

Even if the lid is glued in place, determined kids can get it off and this contains small parts, so adult supervision is required when kids are playing with this.

Sensory Opportunities:

This sensory activity engages both the tactile, visual, and proprioceptive sensory systems. Sensory play is important for development, regulating emotions and behaviour, language development, and so much more.You can also play a game where as you tell or read the Christmas story, your child can find each character in the story as they are talked about. This is a great way to increase their interest and attention to the story. It allows them to participate and engage.

You may also be interested in these Christmas activities:

O Holy Night Nativity Sensory Bin

Nativity Chalk Silhouette

Time Capsule Family Ornament

Santa Slime Christmas Gift Idea

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This Santa Slime makes such a cute DIY Christmas gift for kids to make to give their friends, cousins, or siblings. It’s a fun holiday crafting project to put together.jar with a Santa belt filled with red glitter slime with a tiny homemade Santa hat in the background with text that reads "Santa Slime DIY Gift Idea"

Santa Slime:

Supplies needed:

*If you can’t find red glitter glue, you can instead use clear glue and add a lot of red glitter.

For decorating the jar, you will also need:

  • 1 sheet of red felt
  • large silver slide buckle (used: Sew-ology at Hobby Lobby)
  • black ribbon (to fit the buckle)
  • white 1 inch pompoms
  • glue stick or hot glue

Slime directions:

  1. Empty the red glitter glue into a large bowl.
  2. Fill the empty glue bottle with 1/2 cup warm water and seal with the lid. Give it a few shakes to combine the remaining glue with the water. Pour into the bowl with glue and stir well to combine.
  3. Add the baking soda to the glue and stir to mix thoroughly.
  4. Squirt the contact lens solution into the glue mixture and stir well. (Note that regular glue will require less contact lens solution than glitter glue. Add the contact lens solution slowly, mixing between additions, and add only enough to bring the glue together into a soft ball.)
  5. Remove the slime from the bowl allowing any excess liquid to remain in the bowl. At this point, the Santa slime will be sticky. Start to play with the slime, kneading it as you would bread dough to bring the slime together. The slime is ready to use when it’s no longer sticky.
  6. When it’s not being played with, store the slime in an airtight container in the fridge.

To decorate the Santa jar:

  1. Trace the circumference of the jar lid on a piece of red felt. Cut it out. Glue it to the top of the lid.
  2. Trace around the outside of a 28 oz. can onto the felt. Cut that circle out and cut into two equal halves. Discard one half (unless you’re making two of these) and twist the other into a cone to form the Santa hat. Secure it with glue. Attach the hat to the lid with glue. Allow it to dry completely before attaching the pompoms.
  3. Glue the pompoms around the edge of the lid and one at the top of the hat. Allow the glue to dry.
  4. Measure the ribbon around the jar, leaving room for it to overlap slightly. Cut the ribbon there.
  5. Add the buckle to the ribbon and then glue the buckle and the ribbon to the jar. If you want the back of thee belt to line up with the back seam of the hat, put the lid on the jar prior to adding the belt.

Are you looking for other sensory play recipes for kids? Join us for a free five day email series on Sensory Activities and Solutions and get a sample of our Sensory Play Recipes eBook.

If you’re looking for other Christmas slime ideas, check out:

Holiday Scented Christmas Tree Slime

Stretchy Christmas Slime

Holiday Jingle Bells Slimemaking holiday slime

Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle

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The holidays can be a challenging time for kids. They are off schedule and the excitement can be too much for some kids. Enter the simple calm down bottle. This easy Christmas tree sensory bottle can be an effective calm down tool for kids.

bottle filled with clear liquid and floating red and green tree confetti and glitter with green pine near and text that reads "Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle"You can include this sensory bottle in your child’s Christmas Calm Down Kit. As the glitter and confetti fall slowly through the bottle, watching it creates a calming effect. Adding more glue slows the rate at which it falls.

Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle:

Supplies needed:

  • plastic sensory bottle or empty water bottle
  • 5 oz. bottle clear Elmer’s school glue (or more if you want the glitter and confetti to fall more slowly)
  • warm water
  • 1 Tbsp. glitter and Christmas tree confetti
  • optional: hot glue and/or holiday duct tape

Directions:

  1. Empty the bottle of glue into the plastic bottle.
  2. Fill the empty glue bottle about half full with warm water and place the lid back on. Shake well to combine the remaining glue with the water.
  3. Pour into the sensory bottle, place the lid on that and shake to combine.
  4. Add the glitter in the colour of your choice and holiday confetti into the glue mixture.
  5. Reseal the jar and shake well. If the glitter or confetti does not move easily, add more warm water. If the glitter or confetti moves through the liquid too quickly, add additional glue. To create a calm down effect, you’ll want it to move slowly through the bottle.
  6. If younger kids will be playing with it, secure the lid with hot glue.
  7. If desired, cover the lid with seasonal duct tape.

Adult supervision should be used with this or any other sensory play activity.

You will also be interested in checking these out:

Christmas Calm Down Kit for Kids

Nativity Sensory Bottle

Melted Snowman Sensory Bottle

I-Spy Christmas Sensory Bag

The 26 Best Christmas Party Games

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Playing Christmas party games at your family gathering, holiday party, office party, or youth event is a great way to break the ice and keep the fun going. a collage of images of people playing group party games with text that reads "The Best of the Best Christmas Party Games"Interactive activities are a great way to make lasting memories. These Christmas party games encourage participation and fun for all.

Christmas Party Games:

I love hosting large gatherings. Honestly, mostly it’s because of the food. I’m an appetizer girl. I love being able to sample little bits of lots and parties are the perfect excuse to do that. But while I have people over, it’s always good to keep them entertained, so we have become a family who loves playing games. These are the best Christmas party games out there.

Christmas Minute to Win It

Our family loves Minute to Win It games. Last year, I came out with Christmas Minute to Win It games that were hilarious to play and to watch. We all had a riot as we attempted to complete the challenges. It’s hard to pick a favourite, but mine was the Bobbing for Candy Canes game. All the Minute to Win It Christmas party games can be played in small or large groups and with all ages. This makes them great for pretty much any holiday event. They also require very little set up and the supplies needed are inexpensive. In fact, most of what you need, you probably have around the house already.

The Flour Game

This hilarious game is a family favourite of ours. It’s admittedly more fun to watch it for some than to play it depending on your personality, but if you’re looking for something that is sure to get people engaged and interacting, The Flour Game is a great activity for that.

The Bag Game

The Bag Game is perfect for group gatherings. You can play it regardless of age and it’s a lot of laughs. This is a good one for a youth event or for an office party. It also requires no planning other than to find an empty paper bag or cereal box, making it inexpensive as well.

Saran Wrap Ball

The Saran Wrap Ball Game is quickly becoming a favourite among both children and adults. Read the rules of the game, ideas for what to stuff it with and setup instructions. 

This is another one that is great for all ages. And everyone walks away a winner so there are no hard feelings, although it still has a competitive side to it too which is extra fun!hands unwrapping ball made of plastic wrap filled with prizes

Cookie Decorating Challenge

Set out store bought sugar cookie dough, holiday cookie cutters, icing, sprinkles, and baking sheets. Put everyone in teams and let the fun begin! It’s best to set a timer so that it adds another element of hilarity.

This is a great holiday activity because judging the results is almost as much fun as decorating the cookies. It’s also a great activity for mixing a variety of ages so that all family members from toddlers to grandparents can play.

Christmas Charades

The Joys of Boys has made an easy Christmas Charades printable party game that’s fun for families. It’s a fun holiday take on a classic.

Name That Christmas Carol

There are several variations of this game out there. I’ve included some below so that you can find the one that works best for you.

Scavenger Hunt

A Christmas Scavenger Hunt can be a good party game or can be used to create a new holiday tradition with your family. If you’re creating one to use at a party, you can use little trinkets along the way so that everyone who participates gets a prize or a larger gift for the winner at the end.

Christmas Board Games

The Santa Claus GameThe Santa Claus GameThe Santa Claus GameChristmas Scavenger Hunt GameChristmas Scavenger Hunt GameChristmas Scavenger Hunt GameChristmas TriviaChristmas TriviaChristmas TriviaPin The Nose on The Snowman Christmas ActivityPin The Nose on The Snowman Christmas ActivityPin The Nose on The Snowman Christmas ActivityTis The Season Christmas Trivia GameTis The Season Christmas Trivia GameTis The Season Christmas Trivia GameSpot It! HolidaySpot It! HolidaySpot It! HolidayChristmas-opolyChristmas-opolyChristmas-opolySanta's Sleigh RideSanta’s Sleigh RideSanta's Sleigh Ride

Christmas Trivia Game

These Christmas Trivia Games are such a great way to get conversations started. If your gathering is something where guests will be seated around tables such as a women’s brunch or a potluck, trivia games are the perfect way to break the ice. There are printable sheets you can print out for everyone playing. The questions are challenging enough to really spark conversation.

If you’re looking for a holiday trivia game that children can also participate in, then I would recommend this one instead.

Gingerbread House Decorating Challenge

For those who love watching baking challenges, this one is a lot of fun. Set out the supplies for decorating the houses: gingerbread, icing, candy, icing sugar, sprinkles, candy canes, wafers, etc. Split everyone into teams and set a timer. The team to complete the best house (according to a majority vote) wins! Instead of gingerbread houses, we make Rice Krispie houses. That way, they can be shaped into trees or any type of building shape and can still be decorated the same way a gingerbread house would be.

Two Truths and a Lie Christmas Party Game

In this version of Two Truths and a Lie, there is a Christmas twist. Each person takes a turn saying the three worst Christmas gifts they’ve ever received. Two of them are true and one of them is a lie. The others have to try to correctly guess which one is the lie.

Snowman Building Contest

Break out into teams. Choose a set amount of time and start the timer. Each team has until the end of the clock to make the most unique or best snowman they can. The first, second, and third place winners are then chosen. If you want to, you can provide a prize for the winner.

Candy Cane Guess

Fill a medium or large container with small candy canes or another holiday themed candy. Set out small pieces of paper and pens. Have each person at the party write down their guess for how many candies are in the jar. Be sure to have them write their name on their paper. The player who guesses closest to the actual number gets to take home the jar full of candy.

Holiday Pictionary

Divide into two teams. Write down Christmas themed words or phrases on papers. One player on each team must draw what is on their paper while their team attempts to guess what it is. The team with the most points wins.

You can make the cards easy or more difficult depending of the age of people participating. For an adults only party, you can use ones that will be more challenging to draw and guess. Here are some ideas for what words or phrases to add to your Christmas Pictionary game:

  • White Christmas
  • reindeer
  • Santa Claus
  • nativity
  • 3 wise men
  • milk and cookies
  • Jingle Bells
  • Silent Night
  • Christmas tree
  • We Wish You a Merry Christmas
  • Happy New Year
  • Auld Lang Syne
  • Joy to the World
  • Let it Snow
  • Ho Ho Ho
  • Deck the Halls
  • mistletoe
  • poinsettia
  • Noel
  • ornament
  • It’s a Wonderful Life
  • carolling
  • baby Jesus
  • eggnog
  • Charlie Brown Christmas
  • stocking
  • O Little Town of Bethlehem
  • Frosty the Snowman
  • gingerbread house
  • Jack Frost
  • Merry Christmas
  • nutcracker
  • North Pole
  • Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
  • ugly Christmas sweater
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
  • yule log
  • All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
  • I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
  • white elephant gift exchange
  • Deck the Halls
  • Little Drummer Boy

Candy Canes

This game follows the rules of the card game Spoon, but instead of spoons, you place candy canes in the middle of the table. The game lasts much longer because you have to spell out c-a-n-d-y-c-a-n-e-s. Good luck!

Guess that Carol

Get out someone’s phone and find Christmas music either on their playlist or on something such as Spotify or YouTube. Play 15 seconds or less of each song and see who can be the first to shout out the name of the Christmas carol. This works really well in teams if you have a large group.

White Elephant Gift Exchange

I still remember the first time I participated in a White Elephant Gift Exchange. There were a lot of laughs and quite honestly, also some hard feelings as not all of the kids playing wound up with the present they were hoping for.

There are many variations on a White Elephant Gift Exchange. Find the rules of a White Elephant Gift exchange as well as read about some of the common types that are played. One of my favourites is when you bring something from home that you’re no longer using as your gift. It’s a great way to reuse items that others may love that no longer bring you joy. It also means you don’t have to spend any extra money at what is already an expensive time of year.

Holiday Puzzles

I know this is not exactly a “game”, however I always have a table or two set up over the holidays with a puzzle set out. We know a handful of people who HATE playing games. Having a puzzle out gives them something to do if they choose not to participate in the other Christmas party games. We’ve found that by the end of the evening, we often have quite a crowd gathered around the puzzle table and it becomes very interactive and sometimes even a little bit competitive!

We often set up two puzzle tables. One is a more complicated puzzle with a lot of pieces and the other is an easier one for kids. You don’t have to choose a holiday themed puzzle. You can choose one that is meaningful for your family or one that is quirky or fun. It can be reminiscent of a vacation or childhood memory or represent an interest or hobby. These are some of our family’s favourites:

Fishing Cove Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceFishing Cove Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceFishing Cove Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceDownton Abbey 3D Jigsaw Puzzle 890 PieceDownton Abbey 3D Jigsaw Puzzle 890 PieceDownton Abbey 3D Jigsaw Puzzle 890 PieceCandylicious 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleCandylicious 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleCandylicious 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleChildren of the World Floor Puzzle 48 PiecesChildren of the World Floor Puzzle 48 PiecesChildren of the World Floor Puzzle 48 PiecesCookies & Christmas 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleCookies & Christmas 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleCookies & Christmas 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleSushi Puzzle 1000 PieceSushi Puzzle 1000 PieceSushi Puzzle 1000 PiecePotato Chips 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzlePotato Chips 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzlePotato Chips 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleDonuts Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceDonuts Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceDonuts Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceFriends in Winter 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleFriends in Winter 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleFriends in Winter 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzlePeaceful Night Christmas Puzzle 550 PiecePeaceful Night Christmas Puzzle 550 PiecePeaceful Night Christmas Puzzle 550 PieceA Child is Born Christmas Puzzle 550 PieceA Child is Born Christmas Puzzle 550 PieceA Child is Born Christmas Puzzle 550 PieceWinter Playground Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceWinter Playground Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceWinter Playground Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceSea Shell Treasures Jigsaw Puzzle 550 PieceSea Shell Treasures Jigsaw Puzzle 550 PieceSea Shell Treasures Jigsaw Puzzle 550 PieceVintage Nancy Drew Puzzle 1000 PieceVintage Nancy Drew Puzzle 1000 PieceVintage Nancy Drew Puzzle 1000 PieceTea Cups Boxes 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleTea Cups Boxes 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleTea Cups Boxes 1000 Piece Jigsaw PuzzleCat Bookshelf Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceCat Bookshelf Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceCat Bookshelf Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 Piece100 Piece Ballet Recital Jigsaw Puzzle100 Piece Ballet Recital Jigsaw Puzzle100 Piece Ballet Recital Jigsaw PuzzleKnock Knock Jigsaw Puzzle 1,000 PiecesKnock Knock Jigsaw Puzzle 1,000 PiecesKnock Knock Jigsaw Puzzle 1,000 PiecesAmsterdam Aglow Jigsaw Puzzle 550 PieceAmsterdam Aglow Jigsaw Puzzle 550 PieceAmsterdam Aglow Jigsaw Puzzle 550 PieceTropical Fish Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceTropical Fish Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PieceTropical Fish Jigsaw Puzzle 1000 PiecePeriodic Table Illustrated Puzzle 200 PiecePeriodic Table Illustrated Puzzle 200 PiecePeriodic Table Illustrated Puzzle 200 PieceStarry Night 500 Piece Van Gogh PuzzleStarry Night 500 Piece Van Gogh PuzzleStarry Night 500 Piece Van Gogh Puzzle

What is your favourite game to play at a Christmas party?

Looking for more ideas for family fun or resources to help you connect with your child? Join our free 5 Days to Better Family Connection email series.

Day 11 of the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways:

Today’s giveaway is for an Echo Dot 3rd Generation. 

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Check out all 12 Giveaways. You can enter them all!

Check out some of our other holiday ideas:

Family Time Capsule Ornament

Christmas Calm Down Kit for Kids

Melted Snowman Sensory Bottle

Holiday Scented Christmas Slimea swirly clump of glittery green slime with bright coloured pompoms (red, light blue, yellow, and pink) in the slime and on top of it