December Classroom Theme Ideas

If you’re looking for December classroom theme ideas to make learning fun, festive, and engaging, you’re in the right place! December is one of my favorite months in the classroom – full of sparkle, sensory fun, and special moments that make learning magical. Whether your school celebrates Christmas or you’re looking for inclusive winter themes, this month is packed with opportunities to build connection, strengthen communication skills, and end the term with smiles all around.

In this post, I’m sharing 14 of my favorite December classroom themes that I’ve used over the years in my special education classroom. You’ll find hands-on activities, crafts, adapted books, sensory recipes, and lesson ideas that are perfect for supporting your students’ learning and keeping them engaged all month long.

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1. Christmas Around the World

Exploring Christmas Around the World is such a wonderful way to teach cultural awareness and curiosity. Students can “travel” from country to country, taste traditional foods, read picture books, and stamp passports for every destination they visit.

Learning opportunities:

Understanding cultural diversity
Sequencing and recall (“Which country did we visit first?”)
Expanding vocabulary and world knowledge

Resources & links:

2. Christmas

December and Christmas go hand in hand, and this theme always brings so much excitement to the classroom! From sensory bins and visual recipes to crafts and kindness activities, there are endless ways to celebrate.

Learning opportunities:

Fine motor practice through crafts and cooking
Language skills with WH- questions and sequencing
Emotional regulation during changes in routine

Resources & links:

3. Penguins

A winter classic! Penguin themes are always a hit with students. You can tie this into animal habitats, weather, counting, or art.

Learning opportunities:

Science: how penguins stay warm
Literacy: reading, writing, and fact recall
Fine motor and art with penguin crafts

Resources & links:

4. Gingerbread Man

This theme mixes storytelling, cooking, and STEM! Read The Gingerbread Man, bake cookies, and bring it to life with interactive activities like scavenger hunts or adapted books.

Learning opportunities:

Story sequencing and retelling
Fine motor work through baking and crafts
Creativity with “Disguise the Gingerbread Man” projects

Resources & links:

Bake gingerbread men biscuits and decorate.
A gingerbread man scavenger hunt around the school.
Gingerbread Man in Disguise Adapted Books
Who Ate the Gingerbread Man’s House? Interactive Classroom Crime Scene.
Gingerbread Man Boom Cards
All Gingerbread Man Activities.
Pinterest Board of Ideas.

5. Bears and Hibernation

A cozy and calm winter theme that helps students learn about how animals survive cold weather.

Learning opportunities:

Science and animal life cycles
Literacy through Bear Snores On
Sequencing and sorting skills

Resources & links:

A Long Winter’s Nap Book
Bear Snores On Book
The Hibernation Song
Who Stole the Bear’s Honey? Classroom Crime Scene
Pinterest Board of Ideas

6. The Nativity

The Nativity is a beautiful story to share – focusing on kindness, giving, and togetherness. Students can dress up, act out the story, and use props to bring it to life.

Learning opportunities:

Story sequencing
Role play and communication
Reading comprehension

Resources & links:

7. Winter

If your school doesn’t celebrate holidays, a Winter theme is the perfect inclusive alternative. You can explore weather, animals, and clothing with sensory and fine motor fun.

Learning opportunities:

Weather and clothing vocabulary
Sequencing: “Getting Dressed for Winter”
Science and art exploration

Resources & links:

8. Hanukkah

This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity and teach students about different holidays around the world.

Learning opportunities:

Vocabulary and comprehension
Fine motor and tracing
Cultural appreciation

Resources & links:

9. Snowmen

Snowmen are a must-have December theme! They tie perfectly into math, literacy, and SEL activities.

Learning opportunities:

Counting, ten frames, and measurement
Sequencing: “How to Build a Snowman”
Recognizing and expressing emotions

Resources & links:

10. Reindeer

Reindeer add instant holiday magic to any lesson plan. Use this theme to teach counting, labeling, and animal science.

Learning opportunities:

Science: life cycle of a reindeer
Counting and sorting
Emotions through “How Is Rudolph Feeling?” books

Resources & links:

11. Candy Canes

Candy canes are simple, festive, and perfect for sensory play, sorting, and cooking activities.

Learning opportunities:

Fine motor with candy cane crafts
Sorting and color recognition
Cooking and measuring skills

Resources & links:

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12. Polar Bears

Bring Arctic adventures to your classroom! Students can explore animal habitats, learn about survival in cold climates, and create polar bear crafts.

Learning opportunities:

Science and animal adaptations
Matching animals to habitats
Building descriptive language

Resources & links:

13. Hot Chocolate

Few things say “winter” like a warm cup of cocoa! This is an amazing sensory and sequencing theme.

Learning opportunities:

Counting and measuring
Sequencing steps to make hot chocolate
Following directions and turn-taking

Resources & links:

14. Elves

Elves are a classroom favorite – mischievous, silly, and full of learning opportunities. You can pair this theme with How to Catch an Elf or your own classroom elf traditions.

Learning opportunities:

Recognizing and expressing feelings
Color and shape recognition
Following directions and storytelling

Resources & links:

No matter which theme you choose, these December classroom theme ideas will help you make the final weeks of term fun, calm, and meaningful. They’re designed to help your students keep learning through hands-on play, routine, and connection, and for you to enjoy the season too!

If you’re ready to fill your December with joy and easy-prep lessons, explore my December and Winter resources on Teachers Pay Teachers – packed with adapted books, task boxes, fine motor journals, and sensory-friendly fun.

Helpful Links

You may also be interested in the following;

What classroom theme(s) do you use in December? Leave a comment below to share ideas with others!

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Nikki