Christmas

A sample of our festive fun experiences

For more Christmas activities, head over to your UP app

Christmas tree sensory bag

Encourage your child to explore in this festive sensory experience.

Safety first

Ensure the bag is securely taped to the surface. Ensure contents are secured inside so that they do not cause a choking hazard.

What to do

Draw a picture of a Christmas tree on a zip lock bag. Add some blue and yellow paint and some pom poms to the bag.
Use the masking tape to secure it to a table.
Show your child how they can move the contents so the paint mixes together to make green! Encourage your child to move the pom poms around the bag so they look like baubles on the tree.

More information

This experience supports your child with their hand eye coordination as they explore moving the contents. As your child explores the items with both of their hands, this is known as two-handed and midline play, supporting their coordination.

Clove oranges

Develop your child's fine motor skills in this festive sesnory experience.

Safety first

Consider your child's allergies before completing this experience. Role model and encourage your child to effectively wash their hands afterwards as they may be sticky. Explain to your child that the cloves and orange aren't for eating. Be mindful that the cloves do not cause a choking hazard

What to do

Invite your child to join you and explain that you are going to make a Christmas decoration. Show your child some oranges and some cloves encouraging them to explore the texture and smell of these.
Show your child how they can insert the cloves into the orange, they may need to use an item such as a pencil to make the whole first before adding the clove. Encourage your child to make a pattern.
Cut a length of ribbon and then help your child to fasten this around their orange, creating a loop to hang this. Encourage your child to use their senses to describe what they can smell. Hang the orange in a safe an suitable place to create a festive fragrance. These could also be hung on your Christmas tree!

More information

Manipulating the cloves develops your child's fine motor skills, enhancing their grasp and control. Describing the texture and smell of the items develops your child's language and vocabulary. Using the cloves to create a pattern develops your child's creativity and imagination, as well as their concentration.

Festive puzzles

Use old Christmas cards to make a puzzle for your child.

Safety first

Keep scissors out of reach of children.

What to do

Gather some old Christmas cards with some festive images. Use the scissors to cut these into four pieces to create a puzzle.
Can your child match them up?
You could cut some pictures into two or three pieces to make it easier or five or six pieces to increase the challenge.

More information

Puzzles encourage children's problem solving skills as they match the pieces together. Activities where children need to complete a task encourage children's concentration skills. This activity is ideal as you can increase or simplify the challenge as appropriate for your child
Completing a puzzle will support your child's self-esteem and confidence!