10 Christmas activities for distance learning classrooms
Christmas is coming, so it is time to plan engaging games and activities for distance learning classrooms. Take a look at our festive ideas and choose ones that suit your students best.
Students can celebrate Christmas and have fun while participating in online activities. Here are activities which can be organized online.
Christmas Around the World
Students can embark on a virtual journey to learn how Christmas is celebrated across different countries. They can explore unique traditions, special Christmas recipes from various places, and attitudes toward this holiday. It is a great idea to showcase their presentations using illustrations, live photos, and funny images. The activity encourages cultural appreciation and a broader understanding of global holiday practices.
Here is a link with interesting facts on how Christmas is celebrated in different countries.
Best Memories of 2024
Students reflect on the achievements of the year, sharing their most cherished moments, accomplishments, and lessons learned. This activity allows everyone to celebrate personal milestones and reflect on the growth they experienced throughout the year. Also, every participant can receive support and appreciation for their successes from others.
Teachers may help students by providing them with some questions, such as:
Did you go on any spontaneous adventures, take unplanned trips, attend concerts, or visit festivals?
Did you earn any certificates or diplomas? Did you increase your knowledge in a specific area?
Did you experience significant events, such as a wedding, the birth of a child, or a gathering with friends to celebrate something special?
What exciting moments did you have while traveling this year?
Christmas Quizzes
Prepare some questions which are easy to answer for everybody. They may include questions about Christmas songs, movies, and holiday traditions. As questions are very simple and straightforward, the teacher can set a timer for teams or individual students and ask them to answer all the questions in one minute.
Here are 10 questions you can use while playing Christmas quizzes.
- What is the name of the red-nosed reindeer? Answer: Rudolph
- What is the best-selling Christmas song of all time? Answer: White Christmas by Bing Crosby
- What is the title of the song with the line "Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul"? Answer: Frosty the Snowman
- Name the movie: "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings." Answer: It is a wonderful life
- What drink is traditionally left out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve? Answer: Milk and cookies
- Which country started the tradition of giving Christmas presents? Answer: Italy
- What plant do people kiss under during Christmas? Answer: Mistletoe
- How does Santa Claus enter homes in most European countries? Answer: Through the chimney.
- How many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh? Answer: nine
- How do you say "Merry Christmas" in Spanish? Answer: Feliz Navidad
Secret Santa for Kind Words
This activity might be used at the end of the lesson. Each student gets a name of a classmate to whom they need to write the anonymous thoughtful message of encouragement, praise or holiday wishes.
These kind words can be read aloud or shared in private, spreading positivity, kindness and strengthening connections. Such a meaningful activity creates a sense of community, and provides support and appreciation to each other.
Students can exchange not only words but also gifts. They can play Secret Santa by sending an affordable yet meaningful gift — either purchased or handmade.
Best Christmas Outfits and Backgrounds
Choosing a suitable outfit and festive background might entertain students and spread Christmas cheer before an online meeting.
Ask students to find an outfit associated with the holidays — they can opt for colors like red, green, white, gold, and silver, as well as Christmas-associated patterns (reindeer, Santa Claus, or just snowflakes and sparkles). They may focus on wearing the right top and head accessories, such as a Santa hat, a scarf with Christmas decorations, or festive jewelry.
It will be amusing to choose a Christmas background for your Zoom meeting. Students can select various themes for their backgrounds: a cozy fireplace, a decorated Christmas tree, a snowy landscape, or Santa’s workshop.
Virtual Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Here are some ideas on how to organize this activity with students.
Find items
Prepare a picture which will contain all the items in the list. There can be ornaments, Christmas trees, candy canes, letters to Santa, a gingerbread man, candles, stockings and other things associated with Christmas. When students point at the items which are found, these things disappear and students get scores. This game can be played with all the students at once or in teams.
Creative tasks
This game may make people laugh and entertain each other. Here are some ideas for the tasks.
1. Say "Merry Christmas" in a funny voice or another language.
2. Pretend to be a reindeer by using items for antlers (forks, pens, etc.).
3. Show the funniest or most creative holiday item in your house.
4. Tell a story of your life if you were a gingerbread man, sleigh, candy cane, a Christmas present or other Christmas item.
Christmas Charades
During the online meeting, there are no restrictions on playing Christmas charades, so students can actively use gestures and facial expressions to show certain words or expressions.
Here are some ideas for online Christmas Charades.
Christmas Characters
Students have to act Christmas characters like:
- Santa Claus
- Rudolph the Reindeer
- The Grinch
- Frosty the Snowman
- An Elf
Holiday Activities
Mimic popular seasonal activities such as:
- Building a snowman
- Putting the presents under a Christmas tree
- Decorating a Christmas tree
- Wrapping or unwrapping gifts
- Ice skating
- Sledging
- Playing snowballs
Christmas Movies
Act out iconic holiday movies or tales like:
- Home Alone
- The Holiday
- The Polar Express
- The nightmare before Christmas
- Love actually
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Elf
Christmas songs
Use movements to suggest titles of Christmas carols or songs:
- Jingle Bell
- Silent Night
- Frosty the Snowman
- All I Want for Christmas is You
Funny Christmas Photo Contest
Inform students about this activity in advance, so that they could have time and inspiration for such a creative activity. Ask students to submit amusing holiday-themed photos, such as wearing ugly sweaters, dressing up pets, having ridiculous poses or take photos in unusual places. The main thing is to foster smiles and laughter when looking at such photos.
Showcase photos in a slideshow during the meeting and let students vote for categories like “Funniest Photo” or “Most Creative”. It will be great to use this activity in the beginning of the meeting as a warm-up.
Christmas Karaoke
To play Christmas Karaoke online with students, choose a platform that allows both screen sharing and audio. Find popular holiday songs and share the lyrics on-screen, so everyone can join in singing.
You can invite participants to sing in groups or encourage those enthusiastic to perform solo. Ask others to support those brave enough to sing before the online group.
7 popular Christmas songs
Jingle Bells
Silent Night
All I Want for Christmas Is You
Last Christmas
White Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Setting Goals for 2025
This would be a perfect activity to finish the meeting with. Ask students to reflect on what they would like to achieve in all the areas of life. In case they are lost with ideas, provide a list of common goals for the next year.
Here are some examples of such goals.
1. Improving health and fitness — regular exercise, eating healthier, and trying to worry less.
2. Learning new skills — taking up new hobbies, learning a new language or gaining experience in a new field.
3. Career advancement — changing careers or improving job-related skills.
4. Financial goals — saving more money, paying off debts if there are any, or budgeting better.
5. Building relationships — strengthening connections with family and friends.
6. Personal growth — practicing mindfulness, forgiving, becoming a better version of ourselves.
7. Traveling or experiencing new things — exploring new places or trying activities outside one's comfort zone.
FAQs
How to organize Secret Santa with your online classmates?
Distance learning is no reason to miss the great opportunity to play Secret Santa. How can you organize this activity remotely.
- Suggest that students play Secret Santa in advance so they can buy gifts or prepare handmade ones and send them to the recipient’s address.
- Set a gift budget. It's important to agree on a budget to ensure fairness in the exchange — gifts should be affordable for everyone. Mention that handmade gifts are also welcome.
- Suggest using an online generator, such as the MySanta app. With this tool, you can invite participants via email and draw names with just one click. Instruct everyone to keep their recipient a secret. Using the generator, participants can also express their gift wishes to ensure they receive something they want.
What activities are suitable for adults?
All activities can be adapted for people of different ages. However, more thorough preparation is expected from adult students for activities like “Christmas Around the World,” “Best Memories of 2024,” and “Setting Goals for 2025.” These activities encourage participants to analyze their achievements, get inspired, and feel motivated to set future goals while receiving mutual feedback.
Which activities are a better fit for teenagers and children?
Teenagers and children might enjoy activities that involve creativity, such as choosing hilarious outfits for a photo contest. Christmas Scavenger Hunt and Christmas Charades might involve and entertain young participants.
What if students have difficulty creating stories?
Some students may not be enthusiastic about making up stories. You can assist them by offering a selection of ideas for any activity. This will simplify the process and ensure no one feels embarrassed or confused while participating.
What activity is best to start with?
It’s a good idea to begin by reflecting on the positive events of the past year. This task fosters a relaxing atmosphere filled with warmth and sincerity.