Holidays Around the World In Kindergarten!

So, you are in a school district with strict rules regarding what you can and can’t discuss in your classroom around the holidays. You are looking around and seeing all the fun, cutesy Christmas crafts and feeling a bit sad that you don’t get to do them with your students. 

But what if I told you there was a way to get in the holiday spirit and do some fun crafts all while learning about cultures around the world? 

Introducing my Holidays Around the World Unit! It is the perfect way to incorporate all the holiday magic while also introducing your students to cultures and traditions all around the globe! 

Here’s how it works! 

First, you and your students will make your suitcases! Grab a cereal box or a manila folder for each student, glue on some straps, and print off the cover for students to decorate. That’s it! Now they have the cutest little carry-ons to hold their journals and passports, and to collect all the crafts they are about to make! 

Then of course they will need their passports! Simply print off the template I've provided, fold it, and let your students color away. As you teach about each country and its traditions, you’ll pass out a stamp for students to glue onto their passport. By the end of the unit their passports will be full! 

You’ll also want to put together the student’s journals. Pick the countries you want to teach about, print off the pages I have provided for that country, then staple them together to create a book for each student. Students can store these journals inside their suitcases so that they travel with them from country to country! 

Now it’s time to get to teaching! I have made it super simple for you, because who has time for anything else? Once you purchase the bundle you’ll have access to slides for each country, with real pictures and exact wording, so that all you have to do is pull them up and follow along! 

What activities are available once I’ve introduced each country? 

After you have taken just a few minutes to give direct instruction about each tradition, there are a few different options for you! I suggest completing the journal page first. This simple page won’t take more than 5 or 10 minutes for you and you students to complete. It gives kids the chance to trace the name of the holiday, color the countries flag, discuss important symbols, and write a fun fact! 

A simple craft is also included for each holiday! You and your students can create kinera for Kwanza, a lantern for Chinese New Year, or a poinsettia for Christmas in Mexico. All 14 holidays include one (sometimes two!) crafts. 

If you’d rather not do a craft for each holiday, that’s okay too! I also have created a book for each one! Students can read and color these on their own or you can read it whole group. 

How can I get started?! 

Grab the full bundle here!! When you do you’ll immediately gain access to everything you need to start this super fun unit. The bundle includes SIXTEEN different products, some big bang for your buck!! 

Teaching about all 14 holidays and countries is a lot! Remember that you need to do what works for your classroom. Choose a handful, create your journal, and print what you need for those crafts! Keep it simple and you and your students will have a blast!! 

If you are looking for other developmentally appropriate activities check out my TpT Storefront!