Throughout December, we work on small holiday-themed projects to connect with and reinforce the skills my son has been building since September.

Repeating activities across different formats, in different contexts, and over time allows him to truly internalize new skills in a way that feels both predictable and meaningful.

This post highlights the activities we explore, the learning goals behind them, and the adaptations that help make each experience accessible for neurodivergent learners. Many of these projects also serve as reusable props throughout the month (e.g., puppets, masks, and visual supports) that my son helps design, so the materials are familiar and connected to his learning.

For example, when we work on the Santa mask, we repeat the word and ASL sign for beard so often that when I say, “Show me beard,” he taps the right spot on the mask. That’s the magic of repetition, familiarity, and hands-on involvement.

Note: Choose a few activities that match the child’s developmental level, adapt them as needed, and use those same creations in many different ways (e.g., storytelling, sensory play, movement games, puppet shows).

Using concrete, practical, and visual materials over time helps the child internalize skills in many contexts.

1. Gathering Holiday Books

Activity

We ease into December with a small set of intentional, repeated read-alouds. Instead of rotating through a huge basket of books, we choose two or three that become part of our daily rhythm:

• The Elves and the Shoemaker (Jim LaMarche) – morning story
• The Jesus Storybook Bible (Sally Lloyd-Jones) – short nightly reading by candlelight
• The Gingerbread Man (Jim Aylesworth) – our end-of-month focus

Reading the same stories daily builds anticipation, pattern recognition, and the comfort of knowing what comes next.

Learning Goals

• Language development: story patterns, simple rhyme, symbolic play
• Receptive language: vocabulary + ASL signs (elf, elves, shoes, Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, donkey, gingerbread man, run, catch, little old lady, little old man, fox)

Adaptations

• Turn off competing sounds (TV, radio, appliances) and lower lighting if needed for regulation.
• Use a predictable transition cue, such as a short “Story Time” song
• Offer two book choices using real objects or covers, not just spoken choices.
• Tell the story rather than reading word-for-word to maintain a connection.
• Shorten or skip sections if attention wanes.
• Use figurines, props, or laminated story cards to act out the parts.
• Repeat the same book daily so the structure becomes predictable.
• Provide something to hold or fidget with while listening.
• Pair words with gestures, ASL, or AAC.
• Sit side-by-side rather than face-to-face if eye contact is hard.
• Keep the stories in a visible “story basket” to support anticipation.
• Pause and let your child fill in repeated phrases however they can (gesture, sign, AAC button, etc.).

Related Articles

• Sharing Stories
• Introducing the Story in the Morning Circle
• Sharing a Story in the Morning Circle

2. Playdough and Cookie Cutters

Activity

We explore clay with cookie cutters and a little song:

One little, two little, three little Christmas trees

One little, two little, three little Christmas trees, 

One little, two little, three little Christmas trees, 

Hey-ho, Christmas time is here! 

(Repeat with snowman, etc.)

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: rolling, pounding, pressing
• Pattern awareness: “tree, snowman, tree…” and color patterns
• Sensory exposure: touching clay without discomfort

Adaptations

• Model using hand-under-hand (support without forcing, and always with consent).
• Offer a choice between tools (roller, cutter, plastic knife).
• Provide multiple textures (soft dough and firmer dough) to gradually broaden tolerance.
• Keep a damp cloth nearby so hands can be wiped quickly if needed.
• Present the dough in smaller portions to reduce overwhelm.
• Offer movement breaks if in-hand pressure becomes tiring.
• Model a simple pattern visually rather than expecting imitation.
• Allow alternative engagement (squeezing dough, poking holes) instead of insisting on cutting shapes.
• Keep the session short and end on a success.

Related Articles

• Playdough Tips
• Musical Experiences

3. Creating a Santa Hat

Activity

I prep a hat shape in advance. Since I wear a Santa hat throughout December, he’s already familiar with its parts.

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: glue (“zoom-zoom”), rip tissue paper, push with pointer finger, tap into place
• Sensory exposure: crinkly tissue paper
• Receptive language: red, white, pom-pom, Santa, hat (ASL and/or AAC supported)

Adaptations

• Repeat short phrases (“rip, push, tap-tap”) as a predictable verbal routine.
• Pre-cut shapes so the task focuses on participation, not precision.
• Provide a visual sequence card (1: glue, 2: rip, 3: push, 4: tap).
• Keep tissue paper in a shallow tray to prevent scattering.
• Use thicker paper if thin paper tears too easily and causes frustration.
• Offer different textures (felt, construction paper, foam) for sensory choice.
• Use glue sticks instead of liquid glue if “zoom-zoom” is overwhelming.
• Allow participation at any level: watching, touching materials, or placing one piece only.
• Narrate steps using short, predictable language (“rip…push…tap”).
• Give a clean finger for modeling if glue on the hands is uncomfortable.

Related Articles

• Cutting and Pasting
• Drawing Tips

4. Creating a Santa Mask

Activity

We expand the hat into a full Santa face. We sing “Must Be Santa” as we work.

Who’s got a beard that’s long and white?

Santa’s got a beard that’s long and white.

Who comes around on a special night?

Santa comes around on a special night.

Beard that’s white.

Special night.

Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa,

Santa Claus!

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: gluing, tapping cotton
• Sensory: soft cotton texture
• Receptive language: Santa, face, eyes, nose, ears, beard, ho-ho-ho (with ASL or AAC)

Adaptations

• Demonstrate labeling on your own face before pointing to the mask.
• Provide a mirror so the child can see themselves while learning features.
• Let them explore cotton with a tool (e.g., a spoon or paintbrush) before touching it with their hands.
• Offer unscented or low-odor glue if sensitive to smells.
• Use a tray or mat to clearly define the workspace.
• Present cotton in small amounts to reduce sensory overload.
• Use a “first–then” visual to support transitions (“First glue beard, then song”).
• Invite participation using options (“Glue beard or glue hat?”)
• Give a longer processing time after each verbal cue.

Related Article

• Cutting and Pasting

5. Making a Full-Body Santa Puppet

Activity

We create a full Santa to explore body parts in a playful, holiday-themed way.

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: glue, tap, place cotton and tissue
• Sensory: cotton and tissue paper
• Receptive language: Santa, belt, mittens, boots, face, beard, arms, legs, hands, feet (ASL and/or AAC supported)

How to make this Santa 

Note: I designed this freehand, but used some Santa images for inspiration. Look through books and magazines for ideas (or just use this as a model). It’s sometimes easier to freestyle than to spend hours on Pinterest searching for the right printable image. You can do it, too!

1. Fold paper; trace the outline of one side of Santa’s body on red construction paper.
2. Cut and open. Cut off the extra part of his hat (since you’ll get two pom-poms).
3. Using black construction paper, trace the little hands and feet and design a belt. Then, cut.
4. Glue black accessories. Tap into place – open palm.
5. Rip white tissue paper, tuft (using pointer finger), and glue into place.
6. Draw eyes, nose and mouth (it gets covered up, but I talked about it as I drew it).
7. Using cotton, add facial hair.

Adaptations

• Pre-assemble some parts if multi-step projects cause fatigue.
• Provide a labeled visual outline of body parts as a reference.
• Offer choices for textures (cotton, felt, tissue paper, wool).
• Break the project across multiple days if needed.
• Use adaptive scissors or tear strips for cutting alternatives.
• Use double-sided tape if glue textures are too overwhelming.
• Allow the child to focus on a preferred part (e.g., only the pom-pom).
• Keep extra parts available in case one gets damaged or becomes overstimulating.
• Model body part signs or gestures to reinforce vocabulary in context.

Related Articles

• Cutting and Pasting
• Art Prep in the Morning Circle

6. Printing with Cookie Cutters

Activity

What looks like a messy paint session is actually a celebration of sensory bravery and exploration.

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: grasping cutters, pressing onto paper
• Sensory exploration: fingerpainting
• Receptive language: red, green (with ASL and/or AAC)

Adaptations

• Start with dry stamping before adding paint.
• Provide paint in very shallow trays to avoid deep sensory immersion (unless desired).
• Allow use of gloves or a brush as a bridge to bare-hand exploration.
• Offer warm water nearby for immediate cleanup if needed.
• Tape the paper securely to support stability and reduce movement.
• Use a non-slip mat under the tray for easier reach.
• Present only one color at a time to avoid visual overload.
• Encourage sensory exploration only if the child initiates (never forced).
• Keep towels and wipes within reach to support autonomy.

Related Article

• Painting

7. Scrappin’ Tree (Yarn or Paper Tree Art)

Activity

Inspired by Martha Stewart (because yes, even high-gloss craft ideas can be adapted), we make a textured tree using yarn or paper.

Song

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!
Not only green in summer’s heat,
But also winter’s snow and sleet.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches!

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: cutting yarn, gluing, placing pieces
• Receptive language: Christmas tree (with ASL and/or AAC)

Adaptations

• Give pre-cut yarn or larger strips for children who struggle with scissors.
• Offer thicker yarn or ribbon if the thin string is hard to grasp.
• Provide glue dots as an alternative to wet glue.
• Use a weighted paper base to prevent tearing during placement.
• Offer sensory supports like a firm board under the paper for stability.
• Present one step at a time using a visual sequence.
• Allow the child to explore materials first before placing them.
• Give choices (“Yarn or paper today?”).
• Use AAC or gesture prompts to support decision-making.

Related Articles

• Yarn Play
• Cutting and Pasting

8. Creating a Rudolph Puppet

Activity

A single sheet of construction paper becomes a simple Rudolph face.

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: glue, scrunch tissue, tap into place
• Sensory: tissue sound and texture
• Receptive language: reindeer, Rudolph, ears, eyes, nose (ASL and/or AAC supported)

How to make Rudolph’s face

1. Fold a regular-sized construction paper to form a triangle.
2. Trim off the bottom (keep for step 5). Fold over two flaps for ears.
3. Glue the ears and the double flap of the face. Hold in place – palms open until set.
4. Draw eyes (I drew them in – but your child might be able to do it on his own) and scrunch up red tissue paper for the nose. Glue and hold.
5. Fold the rectangular piece left over from step 2, lengthwise. Draw an antler outline. (I did this freehand… no special design needed). Then, cut, cut, cut along the dark line.
6. Open the fold and cut down the middle to get two antlers. Trim off a little on the bottom (otherwise, the antlers will be too long and will flop over on Rudy’s head).
7. Glue and hold antlers into place – palms open.

Optional: Glue onto a craft stick to make a puppet.

Adaptations

• Fold and pre-crease the paper so the child only has to press.
• Offer a large, simple version of the Rudolph face if fine details are too small.
• Provide different nose options (pom-pom, tissue, sticker).
• Use high-contrast colors to make features easier to place.
• Offer a thick glue stick for easier control.
• Allow participation in one small part only (e.g., gluing ears) and model the rest.
• Use a finger spacer or guide for gluing to avoid sticky hands.
• Let the child observe first if participation feels stressful.

Related Articles

• Cutting and Pasting
• Art Prep in the Morning Circle

9. Making Air-Dry Clay Ornaments

Activity

We shape and paint simple air-dry clay ornaments to give as gifts.

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: rolling, pressing, cutting clay
• sensory: clay-handling without discomfort
• Receptive language: bell, circle, star, ornament (ASL)

Adaptations

• Warm the clay slightly to make it easier to manipulate.
• Offer rolling pins of varying weights to accommodate sensory preferences.
• Use cookie cutters with larger handles for better grip.
• Provide gloves if bare-hand texture is challenging.
• Use a silicone mat so the clay doesn’t stick.
• Break the activity into two sessions: shaping one day, painting another.
• Offer choices of clay tools to improve engagement.
• Encourage any level of interaction (touching briefly, pressing once, watching).

Related articles

• Playdough Tips
• Shapes and Colors

10. Rudolph Footprint Art

Activity

This project (made in earlier years) remains a sweet keepsake and a fun sensory experience.

Learning Goals

• Fine motor: scrunching tissue
• Sensory: paint on bare feet
• Receptive language: Rudolph, reindeer, eyes, nose (ASL and/or AAC)

Adaptations

• Use warm paint instead of cold to reduce sensory shock.
• Offer a dry-run practice (foot on clean paper) before adding paint.
• Let the child wipe their own feet afterward for autonomy.
• Provide towels, wipes, and a wash basin nearby.
• Offer a firm hand or a stable piece of furniture for balance support.
• Keep the paint very thin and spread it evenly to avoid a slippery surface.
• Consider using a textured mat underneath to support grounding.
• Allow the child to observe or direct you verbally/AAC if they prefer not to participate physically.

Related Christmas Articles

• Adapting Christmas: Turning Abstract Concepts into Concrete Activities
• Celebrating the Holidays
• Adapted Christmas Board Games (with FREE Printable Games!)
• Making Christmas Memorable for Your Neurodivergent or Disabled Child
• Adapting Well-Intentioned Gifts
• Toy Suggestions