Okay, before anyone gets offended, I love Thanksgiving. I also love Christmas. My love for Christmas does not in any way make Thanksgiving less important, or less of a focus in our house. But here's the deal. I don't feel like I have to wait until Thanksgiving is over to pull out my Christmas decorations or even my Christmas music, because of several reasons. First, less than 30 days is NOT enough time to enjoy Christmas decorations. Especially if they are going to take a lot of time and effort to put them up. If my Halloween decorations get to be up for 31 days, Christmas should be longer, not shorter.
Second (and more importantly), Christ is a big part of my Thanksgiving. He is my life. All of my strengths, and triumphs and everything good in my life I owe to him. So naturally, why not celebrate his birth right along with Thanksgiving? 🙂
So, for all you Christmas fanatics out there, here are some fun ways to celebrate the Nativity story with your children this season. Don't forget to make Jesus the focus of your holidays!
At home with the kids? Instantly access any of these printable activity bundles to keep them learning!
Fun & Creative Ways to Celebrate and Teach the Nativity Story to Your Children
- Read the Story. familiarize your kids with the actual story in the book of Luke. There are also many children's books that tell it in a fun and meaningful way.
- Nativity Gingerbread Houses We thought these were more fun than actual gingerbread houses. It was fun to see my daughter get excited as the scene came to life (especially the sheep)!
 Advent Calendar. If you are going to do an advent calendar to count down until Christmas, use a Nativity version and read a verse of scripture each day of your countdown too! You can find some fun ones here, here, here, or here.
Manger Treats. Another really fun way to celebrate baby Jesus!
Felt Nativity. This can be a great quiet time activity, or something they can do on the wall (just adhere a piece of felt to the wall). We got our felt Nativity set at Oriental trading, or there is also one here.- Magnet Play. Cooking dinner? Baking holiday treats? Pull out a nativity magnet set for the kids to play with on the fridge (here or here).
- Imaginative Play. My mother collects various versions of nativities and leaves them out for the grandkids. I adore the Little People Nativity set, but for now my children are happy with the little Nativity set I got them from Oriental Trading.
- Finger Puppets. We also got these from Oriental Trading (they have felt ones too). Another fun way to tell the story as a family. The kids love taking turns telling the story if they get to use their finger puppets to do it!
- Sticker Activity Books. We love the Dover activity books at our house because they are only like a buck and they are perfect for diaper bags, small purses, or as fun stocking stuffers.
- Ornaments. Use nativity ornaments to tell your children the Nativity story as you decorate the Christmas tree as a family.
How do you celebrate the Nativity at YOUR house?
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