Surviving the Week Before Winter Break

The week before Winter Break is famously exciting, extra busy, and, let’s be honest, a little exhausting for everyone.

But surviving the week before Binter Break doesn’t have to mean just “getting through it.”

With the right plans in place, you can create meaningful learning, keep routines steady, and help your students enjoy the season while staying focused.

Read on for 6 simple, classroom-tested tips to help you not only survive the week before Winter Break, but truly thrive.

Tip #1 – Stay on Track

As student excitement builds, routines matter more than ever.

Just because the holidays are near doesn't mean learning has to come to a complete stop… this week is actually full of engaging themes and hands-on opportunities!

In fact, consistent expectations, familiar procedures, and predictable morning work or morning tubs can make each day feel grounded.

A quick morning reset… reviewing class rules, setting intentions for the day, and easing into learning with hands-on December morning tubs… helps your students stay focused.These gingerbread-themed morning tubs give them a calm, purposeful start while reinforcing math and literacy skills without worksheets. They’re great for morning tubs, early finishers, or “anytime learning activities” during the last week before break.

Tip #2 – Turn Learning into a Game

The week before Winter Break is not the week for long stretches of quiet seatwork. Students need movement, collaboration, and opportunities to channel their enthusiasm into something productive.

This means it’s the perfect time to harness the pre-winter break excitement and energy by incorporating learning activities that are disguised as fun games into your lesson plans.

For instance, play Four Corners with word families.
Name each corner with a different word family. For example, you might use short ‘a’ word families: -am, -ab, -at, -an. Instead of calling out “corner #1,” call out a CVC word, such as “ham.” Everyone from the -am corner sits down.

Another idea is to use hands-on activities and learning games. These Plans in a Pinch quick prep activities and games are perfect for December in Kindergarten. (Plus they can double duty as emergency sub plans = teacher win!)This lesson planning kit includes a ton of print-and-go math, literacy, writing, science, and social studies activities, along with activity mats and time-filler games.
They’re made for those “off-schedule days” during the week before Winter Break… and even sub plans (because who doesn’t get sick in December?!)!

And don’t forget to let your students get crafty! These Christmas Crafts provide practice with key math, phonics, and writing standards for kindergarten while incorporating some seasonal creativity!

Tip #3 – Lean into Holiday-Themed Read Alouds 

Seasonal picture books create instant calm and connection. Use them as a mid-morning reset, a transition between activities, or a launchpad for drawing, partner talk, or acting out story moments.

Students can draw a favorite part, act out a scene, or turn-and-talk with a partner about the story.

Books really help to anchor your day and bring the class together whenever the energy starts to rise. You can check out a few of my favorite Christmas read-aloud books in this blog post.

Tip #4- Go Outside When You Can

Yes, it’s cold. Yes, bundling everyone up takes a little extra effort. But even a little dose of fresh air can shift the energy of your entire day.

Whether you take a winter nature walk, collect pinecones for crafts, or simply get students moving, a change of scenery can reset behavior and attention instantly.

Once you return to the classroom, you can discuss everything you saw outside and tie in thoughtful conversations and learning.

A few minutes outdoors often saves you many minutes of redirecting inside.

Tip #5- Avoid Downtime

Have you ever heard the saying, “If you don't have a plan for your students, they'll have a plan for you?”

This is so true in the kindergarten classroom!

During the week before Winter Break, unstructured pockets of time can quickly derail your day.

Keep a stack of simple, seasonal activities on hand (something meaningful but familiar), so transitions stay smooth, and students stay on task.

These don’t need to introduce new concepts. The goal is steady review and purposeful practice, not new content (like with holiday-themed worksheets that help students review key math and literacy skills!).

Tip #6- Have a Party!

A small, thoughtfully planned class party brings the whole week together. And what’s a party without food, games, and crafts?

You can check out the blog post, 3 Rules for Stress-Free Classroom Parties, for more tips on planning a fun holiday party for your students (without the overwhelm for you!).

Here are 4 fun party ideas that kids love:

Decorating a sugar cone “tree” or holiday cookie

Decorating an edible tree is a kid-favorite holiday party activity! All you need is sugar cones, green frosting, and sprinkles or chocolate candies.

Students turn the sugar cone upside down, cover it with green frosting, and decorate it.

If Christmas isn't celebrated in your classroom, students can decorate plain sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles.

While students are snacking on their crafts, you can read a festive holiday book or a favorite from your classroom library!

Play Holiday-Themed Games

A fan-favorite, “Don't Eat the Gingerbread” is perfect for small groups, and there’s only minimal prep for you!

All you need is the game board and small candies or mini marshmallows.

You can click here to grab a free copy of the “Don't Eat the Gingerbread” game board, directions, and a non-food version called “Don't Grab the Gingerbread.”

Set Up a Holiday Card-Making Station

If you need another quick craft idea for your class party, set up a card-making station so students can make personalized holiday cards for their families, local first responders, or military service members away from their families during the holidays.

Lay out sheets of construction paper folded in half, along with craft supplies such as stickers, crayons, markers, glue sticks, and all those scraps of colored paper that have accumulated throughout the year.

Surviving the week before winter break doesn’t mean lowering expectations or abandoning structure… it means using your routines, planning with intention, and weaving in engaging activities that match the season.
With a calm mindset and purposeful plans, you and your students can end the year feeling successful, connected, and ready for a well-earned break.

What traditions or activities do you love using during the week before winter break? I’d love to hear your favorites!

I hope these tips and ideas for surviving the week before winter break are helpful for you as you navigate this holiday season.

With a little bit of patience and a lot of purposeful planning, not only will you and your students survive the week before winter break, but you'll thrive and make a ton of sweet memories!

Do you have a special holiday tradition that you do in your classroom during the week before winter break? Comment below and tell me all about it!