Spanish Christmas Activities: The Ultimate Round-up of Classroom Ideas
Inside: A round-up of classroom ideas for Spanish Christmas activities.
The week before winter holidays can be a bit crazy right? You might be at the end of your rope and out of ideas, but no worries! I’ve scoured the internet for the best Spanish Christmas activities and winter-themed ideas, and gathered them here for you.
Obviously, the guidelines on Christmas-themed plans will vary from school to school and your unique context.
Those of you at religious schools might celebrate it; others will need to present more neutral lessons. Because most Spanish-speaking places have Catholic roots, you might present anything Christmas-themed in the context culture rather than a celebration.
With all that in mind, I’ve tried to gather a variety so there’s something for everyone. If it’s not already obvious, I’ve also tried to note whether certain resources are religious or not.
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SPANISH CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
Here’s what’s included in this post:
1. Spanish Christmas Books
2. Holiday-Themed Lesson Ideas
3. Spanish Christmas Activities for Kids
4. Spanish Christmas Activities for Older Students
5. Spanish Christmas Songs
6. Infographs about Navidad
7. Infographs about Navidad
Christmas BOOKS IN SPANISH
I have a great list of Spanish Christmas books for kids if you want to browse all of my favorites!
Holiday-Themed Lesson Ideas
- Ask or tell a funny Christmas/winter story: mishaps of Santa, a kid who discovers Santa isn’t real, or build a story around a familiar character like the Grinch.
- Here’s a calendar from Señora Jota Jota to learn about traditions in Spanish-speaking places
- Choose a Christmas song in Spanish and just focus on a few keywords (like Navidad). Do a really easy listening activity like Draw, Listen, Check.
- Write and decorate cards in Spanish.
- Introduce traditions from Spanish-speaking countries like Las posadas, Los Tres Reyes, or traditional foods.
Spanish Holiday Links for Kids
- Make Paper Shoes for Three Kings’ Day
from Mundo de Pepita - The Christmas Story in Spanish
from Spanish Playground - Free Christmas Board Game in Spanish
from Mommy Maestra - Christmas Connect Four
from Mommy Maestra - Spanish Printables: Winter and Snowmen
from Spanish Playground - It’s a Piñata Round-up!
from Mundo de Pepita - The Legend of the Poinsetta | Mexico Craft
from Mommy Maleta - Spanish Christmas Color by Number
from Spanish Playground - Comprehensible Input infographic comparing La navidad y El día de los Reyes Magos
from Mundo de Pepita - Las Posadas Countdown Calendar
from Mommy Maestra
IDEAS FOR OLDER STUDENTS
- El Sorteo Que Nos Une
Amazing unit put together by Maris Hawkins and Bethanie Drew, about the 2023 Spanish lottery commercial. It includes free stories, slides, lesson plans, and more! - 2023 Mania Músical
From Laura Reyes, you can let your students listen to different winter holiday songs and vote on their favorite. - Lotería de Justino
Movietalk Resources from Aprendemos Juntos (INCREDIBLE and free resources based on a MovieTalk on the Spanish lottery short film) - Los pingüinos de Madagascar
A MovieTalk resources from Aprendemos Juntos (another CI-packed resource) - Christmas Interactive Slides
from Señora Jota Jota (this is a goldmine of culture!) - Navidad Stations
from Mary Overton - Volver a casa MovieTalk Resource
from Aprendemos Juntos - Frankie’s Holiday
A Nearpod Resource from Señora Jota Jota - Navidad Inesperada
MovieTalk Resources from Aprendemos Juntos - Juego de navidad
from Aprendemos Juntos - Rosca de reyes
from Cynthia Hitz - Podcast for Beginners: ¡Feliz navidad!
- Podcast for Intermediate Students: ¡Lotería!
- Navidad mini-unit (IPA-style) from Get Your Learning On
Spanish Christmas Songs
If you have a younger crowd, I’ve got a great list of Christmas songs in Spanish for kids. Below, you can find my top picks for a variety of ages, both religious and non-religious.
Feliz navidad
From Michael Bublé and Thalia, I love, love, love this version! Non-religious except for the word “Navidad.” His accent isn’t perfect but Thalia makes up for that. 🙂
Mi burrito sabanero
This is a great dose of culture, comprehensible language, and Christmas, that will be new for most of your students. This is definitely a religious song, with religious images.
Noche de Paz
If you’d like a familiar Christmas carol in Spanish, this villancico a good pick.
Báte, Báte Chocolate
This song is perfect in case you need a highly comprehensible winter-themed non-religious song (hot chocolate, anyone?)
Ocho Candalias
This is a great song in Spanish for including Hanukkah in your winter plans.
Infographs
There are lots of infographics, songs, and video clips you can throw in during the winter holidays. These are fun to to prompt discussion and give the students a chance to see what they can understand from an authentic resource.
Credit: Easy Spanish
Credit: Azteca Noticias
Visit my Christmas in Spanish page on Pinterest to find lots more Navidad realia!
MOVIETALKS
If you’re new to MovieTalks, read about them here. Basically, you narrate a short film in language the students understand, discuss, and possibly type up a reading.
There are some amazing short films that make for great MovieTalks– this is one of those times you can get the best of #authres and CI.
Commercial from Spain for the 2015 Christmas Lottery (There are tons of activities to go along with this! Lotería de Justino Activities from Elena Lopez)
Introduce Panetón + Comprehensible Language (reps of “vuelven)
Los tres reyes
Commercial for Christmas with llamas!
Sweet Family Commercial
#AUTHRES MOVIES
IKEA Commercial: Kids writing letters to Los tres reyes.
Peruvian Navidad Commercial:
Lotería de España:
CHRISTMAS STORIES
Narrate these videos in simple Spanish, or using the original versions with more advanced students.
Re-telling of the Original Christmas Story (audio and subtitles in Spanish)
Santa Story: Very clear Spanish and story (audio and subtitles in Spanish).
CHRISTMAS SPANISH ACTIVITIES
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