31 Simple December Homeschool Activities for a Cozy, Memorable Month
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December is one of the most magical months to homeschool. The days get shorter, we tend to hunker down and cozy up, and turn more indoors. It’s the perfect time to slow down, add in seasonal learning, and create meaningful family memories without the overwhelm.
To make your month easier, I’ve put together a 31-day December Homeschool Activities Calendar filled with simple, hands-on ideas your kids will love. These activities require minimal prep, use items you likely already have at home, and work for a wide range of ages. You’ll find a mix of winter nature study, STEM, holiday crafts, Christmas fun, and peaceful end-of-year reflection.
Let’s take a look at each day!
December Homeschool Activities Calendar
Day 1: Winter Nature Walk
Bundle up and head outside to look for winter berries, evergreen trees, and animal tracks.
Day 2: Paper Snowflakes
Practice symmetry by folding and cutting beautiful snowflakes.
Day 3: Candy Cane Science Experiment
Test how fast candy canes dissolve in warm water vs. cold water. See lots of candy cane activities here.
Day 4: Hot Cocoa Read-Aloud Day
Sip something warm while reading a favorite winter or Christmas story. See our list of favorite Christmas books.
Day 5: Pinecone Craft
Paint pinecones with white paint, glitter, or fake snow.
Day 6: Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments
This simple Christmas craft fills your home with the scent of cinnamon.
Mix 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, ½ cup cinnamon, and ¾ cup warm water. Roll it out, cut shapes, bake at 200°F for 2–3 hours, and decorate.
Day 7: Christmas Tree Art
Draw, paint, or create a collage of your own festive tree.
Day 8: Gingerbread STEM Challenge
Build a gingerbread house using graham crackers, frosting, and imagination.
Day 9: Write a Letter to Santa OR Make a Winter Wish List
A fun writing prompt for kids of all ages.
Day 10: Shadow Tracking
Measure shadows at different times and see how short they are this time of year.
Day 11: Homemade Wrapping Paper
Use stamps, paint, or markers to create your own gift wrap.
Day 12: Christmas Traditions Around the World
Learn how different cultures celebrate the holiday season.
Day 13: Grow Crystal Snowflakes
Use borax or sugar to grow sparkling crystal ornaments.
Day 14: Christmas Cookie Baking
Practice measuring, fractions, and teamwork in the kitchen.
Day 15: Christmas Pattern Practice
Create ornament patterns or make a classic paper chain.
Day 16: Blanket Fort + Christmas Books
Build a cozy fort and read inside by flashlight.
Day 17: Make Christmas Cards
Create cards for neighbors, family, or a nursing home.
Day 18: Make a Christmas Garland
A beautiful and traditional hands-on craft. See how we made our dried orange garland.
Day 19: Winter Constellation Study
Learn about Orion, Pleiades, and other winter constellations.
Day 20: Declutter 10 Toys or Books to Donate
A simple way to prepare for the new year and practice generosity.
Day 21: Learn About the Winter Solstice
Explore why this is the shortest day of the year.
Day 22: Gingerbread Math
Graph gumdrop colors, count candies, or create patterns.
Day 23: Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt
Walk or drive and try to spot reindeer, stars, snowflakes, and more.
Day 24: Read the Story of Jesus’ Birth in the Book of Luke
Snuggle up for a favorite holiday read-aloud.
Day 25: Merry Christmas! Family Puzzle or Game Day
Relax and enjoy time together.
Day 26: Winter Animal Art Study
Choose a fox, owl, deer, or reindeer and create art inspired by winter wildlife.
Day 27: Ice Science Experiment
Freeze small toys or objects and test different ways to melt the ice.
Day 28: Snow Globe Craft
Make a jar snow globe or a paper plate version.
Day 29: New Year Budget Challenge
Kids plan a $20 celebration idea or small gift list.
Day 30: Family Board Game Tournament
Choose favorite games and tally scores.
Day 31: Year-in-Review Journal Page
Write or draw your favorite memories from the year in a year-in-review page.
Download Your Free December Homeschool Activities Calendar
If you’d like all of these activities in a simple, printable format, make sure to download the free December Homeschool Activities Calendar. It’s perfect for your homeschool binder and makes planning your month a breeze.
