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Santa Lucia Day Crafts for Kids

Santa Lucia Day crafts for kids are a perfect way for all to embrace and enjoy this magical holiday.

Through crafting kids can contribute to a Santa Lucia Day costume.

They can make beautiful Santa Day Lucia ornaments for the Christmas tree.

There are paper crafts to use as Santa Lucia Day decorations.

Last but definitely not least, there are patterns to create beautiful Santa Lucia Day felt food, easy enough for a beginning sewer to complete!

Santa Lucia Day Crafts for Kids

Santa Lucia Day Crafts for Kids


It is often difficult to find Santa Lucia Day crafts that are appropriate for children, especially when looking for variety.

Here are 10 beautiful Santa Lucia crafts to enjoy.

Santa Lucia Day Paper Crown Paper Craft (Free Template)


I love this paper crown as it's simple and easy for kids. 

It also comes with templates which I am always so thankful for. 

Girls will look so cute in this crown as they learn and celebrate Santa Lucia Day.

This crown can be particularly helpful to girls that have sensory issues and struggle to wear a real crown that can be quite prickly and itchy.


Santa Lucia Day Felt Crown Craft


For those looking for a Santa Lucia crown that is a bit more durable than paper, this felt crown is beautiful and easy to make. 

Kids may need some assistance with cutting and gluing.

If preparing for younger kids, you may want to do all of the cutting of pieces ahead of time.

For kids who need the ultimate softness when it comes to crowns, this Santa Lucia Day crown is fabulous!

Santa Lucia Day Pipe Cleaner and Pony Beads Crown Craft


There is just something about pipe cleaners and pony beads that draws kids in. 

These items also provide the ultimate fine motor practice.

Each and every bead must be strung.

I love that this crown is such a hands on project that kids can enjoy.

Santa Lucia Day Star Boy Hat Craft


Santa Lucia Day provides so many fun things to wear for girls, but what about boys?

Boys have special attire as well!

Their clothes are all white.

They wear a cone shaped hat with stars on their head.

Why not have boys make their own Star Boy hat?

Star Boy Star on a Stick Craft


Star Boys carry candles or stars on sticks. 

This site provides a sample of how easy these stars on sticks are to make.

The site doesn't include instructions, but the image is pretty self-explanatory.

I love how big and bright the stars on sticks are.

Santa Lucia Yarn Ornament


This is such a beautiful and simple craft for kids!

They may need help when it comes to painting the head.

Some may prefer markers.

But, the rest is so simple and lends to practicing so many great fine motor skills.


Santa Lucia and Star Boy Wooden Ornaments


If you have access to the materials used in this craft, these wooden ornaments are absolutely gorgeous.

Depending on the abilities of the child you're working with, she may or may not need some help.

I love that this link provides wooden ornament instructions for Santa Lucia and the Star Boy so everyone can be included.


Santa Lucia and Star Boy Face Paper Craft


When it comes to decorations, one can never have enough.

Why not create these beautiful Santa Lucia and Star Boy faces to decorate a room?

These crafts are also perfect for the child who may not be ready for a 3D craft, but does extremely well with paper crafts.


Santa Lucia Toilet Paper Roll Finger Puppet Craft


This is a super easy and adorable project for little ones who love to play with their crafts.

There are very few items you need to make this craft, which is nice for those on a tight budget.

Each child can make this Santa Lucia Puppet their own.


Santa Lucia Day DIY Felt Food Tutorial


I am absolutely in LOVE with this DIY felt food craft tutorial. 

What fun it will be to have felt food to use and play with on Santa Lucia Day.

This craft can be done with a sewing machine or by hand.

It is a fabulous project for a beginning sewer and totally doable for a child who wants to sew.

Santa Lucia Day Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables


Santa Lucia Day Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables

For those that are looking for "craft" projects for little ones, our Santa Lucia Day Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables has some really cute activities for little hands.

Toddlers and preschoolers can decorate wreathes, as shown in the image above.

This post shows how little ones can create saffron buns using playdough.

There's also a simple star craft included.

Crafts provide such great opportunities to work on fine motor skills. 

Santa Lucia Day provides the perfect opportunity to encourage crafts for kids.

Crafts for kids can be an extremely affordable way to enhance a Santa Lucia Day learning and celebration.

For more fun Santa Lucia Day Activities, be sure to check out the resources below.


Santa Lucia Activities for Elementary Learners with Free PrintablesSanta Lucia Letter Sound Clip Cards Santa Lucia Day Activities, Free Printables and More Santa Lucia Day: How We Celebrate Santa Lucia's Day Activities and Free Printables Scandinavian Christmas Printable Pack Tomte and Nisse Printable Pack Yule Goat Printable Pack Santa Lucia's Day Printable Pack

Santa Lucia Day Crafts for Kids


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How to Help a Child with RAD Receive Holiday Gifts

How does one help a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder receive gifts and be okay before, during, and after the receiving has occurred?

Receiving gifts during the holiday season can be extremely challenging for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Gifts are a token of love, which is triggering.

Often times gifts are destroyed after they are received.

Gifts between family members promotes healthy attachment, which is triggering.

During the holidays behaviors towards targets may increase as the RAD brain pushes back.

Gifts are often a surprise, which is triggering.

Behaviors related to Reactive Attachment Disorder and anxiety often escalate before the holidays.

Here are 10 ways we've found help a child with RAD receive holiday gifts.

How to Help a Child with RAD Receive Holiday Gifts

How to Help a Child with RAD Receive Holiday Gifts


Warning: This page contains content related to Reactive Attachment Disorder that may be triggering to some.

 

Important: Children with RAD are victims of abuse and/or neglect. Behaviors associated with Reactive Attachment Disorder are due to how the brain forms while the innocent child is surviving trauma. It is our goal to support healthy and loving families where children with RAD can heal, if possible.


1. Create a wish list of SAFE gifts for the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder to receive from others.


Holiday wish lists are so helpful for the givers and the receivers.

Encourage your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder to make a wish list of safe gift ideas, if she is capable.

Gift Ideas for a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder



Send the list to others who will be giving gifts to your child with RAD. 

Set a boundary with others (especially extended family), that gifts should come from the list, with no added surprises.

This is to ensure everyone's safety during the holidays and beyond.

Talk to others outside of extended family who may be giving gifts to your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder and get an idea of what type of gift they are considering, so you can encourage your child to put something like that on their list.

Share the list with teachers and friends who may want to give.

Gift Ideas for Teenagers with Reactive Attachment Disorder


The child with Reactive Attachment Disorder can feel a little less anxious about gifts, knowing that what she receives is limited to the list she created.

You as the caregiver can feel less anxious, knowing all gifts received are safe and okay, minimizing battles and unsafe behaviors that may occur later.

Some may feel that only giving gifts that come from a wish list is inappropriate or wrong.

That's their problem.

Your job is to help your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder and everyone else in your immediate family feel safe and okay during the holiday season.

People can either choose to get on board, or not give a gift at all.

2. Go shopping with your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder and purchase gifts together.


People most often fall into two groups at Christmas. 

There are those who want all of their gifts to be a surprise, and there are those who want to know everything they're getting ahead of time.

Those who have experienced trauma often fall into the latter category. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with knowing what you're receiving for Christmas ahead of time.

For many it makes the holidays that much brighter.

Making a wish list and then picking up or ordering Christmas gifts together, ahead of time, can make such a difference for a child with RAD.

Knowing what's coming removes so much anxiety and decreases unsafe behaviors.

Helping with the process of obtaining gifts builds trust between the caregiver and child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

The experience of shopping together, whether that means ordering online or shopping in stores, can be a positive experience.

You have the opportunity to make it special by including a meal or snack.

Just remember to keep things simple.

Since the shopping experience is all about the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder, there is less of a chance of unsafe behaviors, especially when boundaries on how much money or how many gifts is set ahead of time.

Shopping with your child with RAD may be one of the most pleasant experiences of the season.

3. Allow your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder to look at gifts before Christmas.


Just because a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder makes a wish list that is given to others, and goes shopping with the caregiver to purchase gifts, does not mean that she believes she's going to receive said gifts.

The RAD brain is already activated because it's the holiday season. 

It does not trust anything or anyone.

When you notice your child with RAD struggling before the big day, offer to let her see her gifts unwrapped to remind her that all will be okay.

Do not threaten to return holiday gifts when there are unsafe behaviors leading up to the big day.

Holiday gifts should never have to be earned.

A child with Reactive Attachment Disorder will not be their best during the holiday season. That's just a fact.

If you are planning to wrap gifts for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder, choose to wrap them last, so allow for multiple viewings of gifts if necessary.

Once gifts are wrapped, anxiety may increase.

4. Don't Wrap Gifts for a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder Unless Given Permission from the Child


A child with Reactive Attachment Disorder may not like surprises.

A gift that is wrapped is a HUGE surprise, even if the child with RAD already knows what's supposed to be inside.

The RAD brain may wonder what if something different is inside? What if the gift is meant to hurt me?

A child with Reactive Attachment Disorder may not trust enough to handle gifts being wrapped.

In these instances, it's okay to remove all packaging from items.

It's okay to NOT wrap gifts.

It's okay to just put gifts in holiday bags with no tissue paper.

Remember that the goal is safety and happiness for all in your immediate family during the holiday season.

If wrapping paper is the thing that's going to make or break the day, it's okay to say no.

Give wrapping directions to extended family and friends who may also be giving gifts to your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Some may think you're crazy, bad, or wrong, but it doesn't really matter.

Either they can choose to help or not.

If they choose not to help, you have every right to set boundaries related to giving gifts to your child with RAD.

5. Have your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder Help Wrap Gifts


Set aside time for a wrapping party and allow your child with RAD to help, if possible.

You can even go shopping for wrapping materials together and let her pick out the ones she wants to use for gifts.

The child with Reactive Attachment Disorder can wrap her own gifts and/or help you wrap gifts for others.

If the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder helps wrap her own gifts, she will know exactly what is in each box or bag, which may increase tolerance for wrapping materials.

Be sure to have the child with RAD write on each tag as she wraps, so she sees her own handwriting at the time of opening.

This is a fabulous grounding tool.

It may be beneficial to write the gift on the tag, just in case she does forget what's inside and starts to panic.

Wrapping gifts together can be a very positive experience during the holiday season which builds trust  and attachment.

You're showing your child with RAD that you understand and accept what she needs to be okay when receiving gifts.

6. Plan for Gifts Received by a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder to be Mistreated


There's a difference between preparing to receive gifts and what happens after the gifts are received.

The RAD brain will most often be triggered by receiving gifts.

It's just a fact of life.

Once the RAD brain is triggered, there is push back.

Choose gifts that are less likely to be destroyed or used as weapons towards others.

Understand when gifts are used inappropriately, this is not a reflection of how horrible your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder thinks you are, nor is it a plot to ruin your life.

It's just the RAD brain being triggered.

Over time the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder will be able to accept the gifts and be safe with them.

If you do need to remove newly received gifts for safety, don't get rid of them. 

Save them for when your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder is ready to be safe with them.

In my experience this usually happens within a couple months after the holiday season is over, if not sooner.

7. Give Experiences instead of Gifts during the Holiday Season


Depending on the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder and their specific behaviors, an experience instead of a gift may be more appropriate during the holiday season.

Due to the severity of RAD behaviors, experiences are usually family focused.

A child with Reactive Attachment Disorder may not be able to function in an extra-curricular activities with peers.

If you're up for behaviors that may arise by gifting the entire family an experience, you may choose to go that route.

Other times it may be best to choose experiences that are more intimate and focused on only the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Giving Family Experiences: Our New Holiday Tradition


Please note that there's always a chance of unsafe behaviors before, during, and after an experience, but no one can take away the pleasant moments the experience provides.

Those pleasant moments happened and were real.

Experiences can't be destroyed like hand held gifts received during the holiday season.

Experiences can't be used as weapons either.

Remember, experiences don't have to be big or even ones that take place out of the home. 

5 Christmas Dinners and a Movie Ideas for Families


Sometimes simple is best!

8. Help Your Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder Write a Letter Explaining Stress and Anxieties to Share with Extended Family and Friends Before the Holidays Begin


When your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder is old enough to write, and is willing to do so, it can be beneficial for her to learn to advocate for herself and her needs related to past trauma.

This is especially important when it comes to extended family and friends.

Help your child outline her needs related to Reactive Attachment Disorder and receiving gifts in the letter.

It may be helpful to send it with the wish list that's been created.

Extended family members and friends may be more willing to keep appropriate boundaries during the holiday season when they are requested from the child with RAD, rather than the caregiver.

If extended family members and friends are still unwilling to help, then an opportunity to discuss healthy boundaries and relationships arises.

9. Follow the Lead of Your Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder During the Holiday Season


Not every child with Reactive Attachment Disorder will need all of the interventions mentioned above when receiving gifts. 

Some interventions may only be needed for a short time as the child with RAD heals and begins to trust the world around her. 

Include your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder in all discussions about how to help her receive gifts during the holiday season, if possible.

Work together to talk through the differences between past trauma and the present.

Focus on ways to help anxiety and panic.

Special Needs Event Planner


Discuss why people give gifts during the holiday season to lessen the threat and expectations of receiving gifts.

Role play giving and receiving gifts, practicing the process of opening them, and knowing what to say to the giver no matter the circumstance.

Explain that it's okay to memorize the process and have it feel awkward in the moment.

10. Celebrate the Holidays on Different Day than Expected


More unsafe behaviors occur the closer the holiday is, in many cases, when it comes to a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

In these circumstances, move up the date of the holiday to meet the needs of your immediate family.

There is absolutely no reason why a holiday has to be celebrated on a specific day, especially when it comes to the safety of family members.

Celebrating a holiday with immediate family sooner than the actual day can help RAD behaviors so much.

There is a tendency for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder to want what she wants, when she wants it, which is usually NOW. 

When she doesn't receive what she wants NOW, unsafe behaviors occur.

Depending on the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder, you may or may not want to tell her of plans to celebrate a holiday early.

In our home, caregivers always keep options open. 

If we can make it to the big day, then we do.

But, if we observe it's not going to be possible, we don't and surprise everyone with an early holiday celebration.

When immediate family members celebrate a holiday early, it can help a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder function better at extended family and friend celebrations.

Celebrations are more spread out and less overstimulating and anxiety ridden. 

To the Caregiver of a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder Who Seems to Love Surprises


There are children with Reactive Attachment Disorder who seem to love surprises.

Wrapping doesn't seem to be an issue.

Anticipating surprises drives excitement.

Elation and joy radiate from the child with RAD as gifts are received and opened.

Please be aware that there is still anxiety surrounding receiving gifts, it's just being shown in a different way.

Ultimately the child will crash after the excitement is over and the natural high has worn off.

This will lead to unsafe behaviors and Reactive Attachment Disorder fits.

Gifts are often destroyed or used in unsafe ways.

Family members are targeted by the RAD brain.

Destruction and other unsafe behaviors are not necessarily the result of being surprised, but have to do with love, trust, and attachment.

A child with Reactive Attachment Disorder may not be okay with the holidays being over.

If you find yourself in this scenario, following the tips above can help prevent and minimize the crash afterwards, but a lot of effort will be put into post holiday interventions which is a completely different subject.

Receiving gifts during the holiday season is extremely difficult for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

It's our hope that these tips can help you have a more peaceful and relaxing holiday season.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like the resources below.

Reactive Attachment Disorder: Tips for Handling Past Trauma During the Holidays 7 Reasons the Holiday Season is Difficult for Children with RAD Worst Cases of Reactive Attachment Disorder RAD Treatment for Children 8 Differences Between RAD Fits and Autism Meltdowns Reactive Attachment Disorder: How to Address Behaviors What NOT to Do with a RAD Child Anger Management for Kids Four Prompts to Encourage Mindfulness in Children How to Discipline a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder Must Have Safety Resources When Parenting a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder

How to Help a Child with RAD Receive Holiday Gifts


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7 Reasons the Holiday Season is Difficult for a Child with RAD

The holiday season can be the most difficult time of the year when raising a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD).

Instead of Christmas being magical, it often turns into an absolute nightmare. 

Christmas and other winter holidays that were once joyous occasions may turn into trauma triggers for all in the household.

Here are 7 reasons why the holiday season is difficult for a child with RAD.

Please know when behaviors occur in these situations, it is not the fault of a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

The brain has been wired to do these things due to trauma in the past. 

What you see and experience is not intentional, even when it feels like it.


7 Reasons the Holiday Season is Difficult for a Child with RAD


7 Reasons the Holiday Season is Difficult for a Child with RAD


Warning: This page contains content related to Reactive Attachment Disorder that may be triggering to some.

 

Important: Children with RAD are victims of abuse and/or neglect. Behaviors associated with Reactive Attachment Disorder are due to how the brain forms while the innocent child is surviving trauma. It is our goal to support healthy and loving families where children with RAD can heal, if possible.


1. Family, Love, and Traditions during the Holidays


In most homes the holiday season is about family, love, and traditions that bring everyone closer together.

Family, love, and traditions are HUGE triggers for children with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

All three ideas activate the RAD brain, which immediately causes the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder to push back HARD.

The RAD brain feels so unsafe with the idea of family, love, and traditions, it will do anything it can to sabotage experiences that involve them.


The Worst Cases of Reactive Attachment Disorder


This means you may witness or become victim to severe RAD behaviors. 

Be prepared and expect them.


2. Past Holidays included Trauma


Often times a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder has experienced trauma during the holiday season.

Trauma doesn't disappear during the holiday season, instead it increases.

Stress, financial struggles, and so much more contribute to this.

It's rare for the present caregiver to know about and understand this past trauma and what triggers it.

Navigating triggers becomes a guessing game of which caregivers tend to fail miserably at.


8 Differences Between RAD Fits and Autism Meltdowns


It's only after a RAD fit that pieces come together and caregivers can prepare for the next year and the rest of the holiday season.

Caregivers can do their best to avoid trauma triggers but we live in the real world and are only human.

And often, depending on the severity of past trauma, sometimes triggers can't be avoided.

Fore more tips on how to handle situations related to past trauma, check out the resource below.


Reactive Attachment Disorder: How to Handle Past Trauma During the Holidays

Reactive Attachment Disorder: Tips for Handling Past Trauma During the Holidays


Remember you are the expert when it comes to your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Do what you feel is right.


3. Changes in Routine and Schedules during the Holiday Season


Holidays include the changing of routines and schedules, often leading to spending more time with family, which is a trigger in itself. 

Like many children on the autism spectrum, children with Reactive Attachment Disorder do not like changes in routine and schedules.

During the holidays, supports and respite are hard to find, and often nonexistent, because people take the holidays off to spend with their own family.

Some families travel, which means long periods of time together in close quarters.

If flying, it means a lot of waiting around with so many strangers.

This is yet another trigger for some children with RAD.

For families spending the holidays at other people's homes or in a hotel, safety can be extremely challenging.

Must Have Safety Resources When Parenting a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder


Other families without children with RAD do not have the same safety protocols in place, nor will they feel comfortable with them.

In these situations changes in routines and schedules can become dangerous for all involved.

4. Expectations of Extended Family during Holiday Gatherings


As a caregiver of a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder, you most likely already know that typical parenting strategies do NOT work.

But, that doesn't mean that extended family believes that.

Spending time with extended family can be triggering for everyone, because a child with RAD often acts differently around others.

Extended family may question or put you down for how you parent a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Or extended family members may think they know best and intervene, causing more damage and often triangulation.

It is not uncommon for a child with RAD to lie about you to extended family.

At times a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder will display "artificial charm" in the presence of others as a way to protect themselves, and then lash out at you afterwards in private.

And then there are expectations regarding physical affection from extended family that a child with RAD may be triggered by.

It's often only after extended family has left, that caregivers face unsafe behaviors brought on by extended family functions.

5. Overstimulating and Under Stimulating Sensory Experiences During Holiday Preparations and Celebrations


Like a child on the autism spectrum, a child with RAD is often triggered by sensory experiences that are either too strong, not sufficient for her body to regulate, or are a reminder of past trauma.

The holiday season is full of sensory experiences that can result in significant behaviors.

Often times we can forget about sensory experiences as being a reason for behaviors, because Reactive Attachment Disorder is so complicated.

But, sensory experiences are usually the first to trigger, especially during the holiday season.

Consider the loudness of a family get together and the raising of voices.

Think about the chaos of opening gifts.

Then there's the smells of holiday meals, desserts, perfumes, and body odor of so many in a small space.

Physical contact with others often increases during the holiday season. 

Touch is often a trigger.

Sensory regulation is crucial during the holiday season, yet so hard to obtain.


Christmas Sensory Kit Ideas for Kids and Teens

Christmas Sensory Kit Ideas for Teens and Families


Our family has found holiday sensory kits have been a huge help! 

We always make sure they're available at home and on the go.


6. Receiving Gifts During the Holidays


Many children with Reactive Attachment Disorder struggle with receiving gifts from others.

Receiving gifts is a very intimate affair. 

The acceptance of a gift from others can be viewed as an acceptance of love, which feels unsafe and is a huge trigger for a child with RAD.

Don't be surprised if gifts are destroyed shortly after they have been received.

Many children with Reactive Attachment Disorder do not like surprises.

Unwrapping a gift can be a very triggering and anxiety ridden experience.

Gifts received from others can also become weapons, which jeopardizes a family's safety.

If you're looking for ideas on how to help with this struggle, be sure to read the post below.

How to Help a Child with RAD Receive Holiday Gifts


Remember every child with Reactive Attachment Disorder is different, what may work for some, may not work for others.

You are the caregiver and are therefore the expert. 

We hope our ideas inspire you to determine what is best for your child with RAD

7. Giving Gifts During the Holidays


Family members and friends give gifts as a sign of love and affection.

This is very triggering for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder, especially when physical affection and words of praise are offered as a thank you.

A child with RAD may refuse to give gifts or choose to purchase gifts she likes, so she can take them from those she gives them to.

It may be extremely hard for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder to take perspective and be empathetic or sympathetic to others.

In these cases, selecting gifts for others can be extremely difficult and stress inducing.

Gift giving expectations can lead to behaviors.

The holiday season often becomes the most dreaded time of years by caregivers of children with Reactive Attachment Disorder because there are so many triggers.

If you are a caregiver of a child with RAD, know that you are not alone.

You're not imagining any of the difficulties you're experiencing during the holiday season.

They are real and very hard to navigate.

Hang in there, things can get better over the years, as you start to understand triggers and struggles, and as your child chooses to heal.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like the resources below.

The Cost of Raising a Child with Severe Mental Healht Struggles I Hate My RAD Child RAD Treatment for Children What NOT to Do with a RAD Child How to Discipline a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder Reactive Attachment Disorder Fits: Did I Do Something Wrong?

7 Reasons the Holiday Season is Difficult for a Child with RAD

 
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St. Nicholas Day Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables

St. Nicholas Day activities for tots and preschoolers can be so much fun and such a great way to teach about such a special holiday celebrated around the world.

I love that St Nicholas Day provides a way to teach about a real person who helped and served so many, and who later became the inspiration behind Santa Claus.

St. Nicholas includes so many fabulous traditions and symbols, all of which are introduced in the activities and printables below.


St. Nicholas Day Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables

St. Nicholas Day Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables


St. Nicholas Day Nomenclature Cards


St. Nicholas Day Nomenclature Cards


These St. Nicholas Day nomenclature cards are the perfect way to introduce different important aspects of the holiday.

If your child isn't a fan of nomenclature cards, this printable can easily be used for a memory game.

All images are true-to-life and on white backgrounds.

Source: The printable for this activity is part of our St. Nicholas Day Printable Pack.

St. Nicholas Day Shoe Making Activities


St. Nicholas Day Shoe Matching Activity


Each year the kids leave out their shoes for St. Nicholas to come and fill with candy. 


This activity is inspired by this tradition.


Kids match up the left and right shoes, making pairs.


Source: The printable for this activity is part of our St. Nicholas Day Printable Pack.


St. Nicholas Day Graphing Activity


St. Nicholas Day Graphing Activity


St. Nicholas brings children several goodies in their shoes. 


Why not graph out how many of each was received?

Kids roll the die for each item and then use the glass beads to create the graph.


This activity is a great way to practice counting numbers 1-6.


Source: The printable for this activity is part of our St. Nicholas Day Printable Pack.


St. Nicholas Day Subtraction Clip Cards


St. Nicholas Day Subtraction Clip Cards


Pepernoten is a cookie that is very much associated with St. Nicholas Day. 

In this activity children are introduced to pepernoten cookies with a simple subtraction activity. 

We provided real pepernoten cookies as counters to enhance the sensory experience.

When food is involved in an activity, I like to provide an opportunity for a taste test. 

Kids know not to eat the pepernoten cookies in the activity.

Instead they eat one from a separate sanitary package after they are finished.

When using this activity children use pepernoten cookies as counters and mark answers on the clip cards with the red glass beads.

Source: The printable for this activity is part of our St. Nicholas Day Printable Pack.

Peeling an Orange Practical Life Activity


Peeling an Orange Practical Life Activity

Mandarin oranges are often included in shoes on St. Nicholas Day.

Peeling an orange can be a challenge for young children.

In this activity we introduce how to peel an orange, using the bottom of a spoon to initiate the process. 

Kids peel the orange placing the orange slices in one glass bowl and the peelings in the other.

St. Nicholas Day Cutting Strips


St. Nicholas Day Cutting Strips

These St. Nicholas Day cutting strips are so inviting and so much fun to use.

Tots and preschoolers can always use extra cutting practice and often enjoy it. 

Source: The printable for this activity is a Subscriber's Only Freebie. For your free copy, follow the directions at the bottom of this post.


We hope that your St. Nicholas Day experience is as delightful and beautiful as our is with the help of these activities and printables.



Directions on How to Obtain Subscriber Only Freebies


1. Click on the Subscriber's link at the bottom of this post.

2. Subscribe to our free newsletter.

3. Open the thank you message you receive in your e-mail, after subscribing. (Be sure to check your spam folder, as sometimes it ends up there.)

4. Click the confirmation link in the thank you message.

5. Once the confirmation is complete, you will receive another e-mail message with the Subscriber Only Freebies.

6. Click on link.

7. Find the printable pack you are looking for listed in alphabetical order, click on it, and voila!

We hope you enjoy your free printable.

Note: If you are already a newsletter subscriber, open your most recent newsletter. At the bottom you will find a link to the Subscriber Only Freebies page, along with the password in case you forgot it.


If you enjoyed this post, you may also like the resources below.


Free Saint Nicholas Day Sentence Challenges Saint Nicholas Day Celebration IdeasMontessori-inspired St. Nicholas Day Printable Pack Montessori-inspired Winter Holidays Around the World Printable Pack Santa Math Activities for Kids with Free Printables Santa Language Activities for Kids with Free Printables


St. Nicholas Day Activities for Tots and Preschoolers with Free Printables


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