Holiday party ideas that connect to the curriculum

In this guide

• Introduction
• Benefits of curriculum-connected holiday activities
• Creative holiday party ideas by subject
• Tips for planning an inclusive holiday celebration

Introduction

Classroom celebrations are a great way to build a sense of community and ensure that fun is a key part of the learning process. They are especially useful towards the end of a learning unit or before a holiday break.

Those final days leading up to extended time off can be filled with challenges as the excitement and anticipation for holidays can disrupt the learning environment. Instead of fighting that energy, I try to embrace the opportunity to create new holiday activities that reinforce the curriculum while acknowledging the holiday spirit.

Whilst everyone enjoys a good party, in this article I will explore some simple ways to transcend a typical classroom celebration into one that includes educational value. With a little creativity and planning you can design an event that your principal will be excited about without sacrificing any of the fun.

Benefits of curriculum-connected holiday activities

All of us probably have memories of a specific party or major activity from our time as a student. These events are a great way to create long term memories that have an impact well beyond the end of the festivities.

1. Teamwork and connections

Classrooms do just operate better when there are meaningful connections between the people. A study by Gallup found that employees with a best friend at work were more engaged and productive than those without one.

School is no different. Students regularly tell me that if they have close friends in a class they are more excited to participate and find it easier to ask for help. Classroom parties not only help break up the normal routine but also create the conditions for students to develop more meaningful bonds with one another. 

Remember that these events don’t need to only be to fill in time at the end of the year – you can celebrate some excellent learning at the unit, student effort on a hard topic or smaller day-to-day events such as birthdays and religious celebrations. 

2. Reinforce learning

It often feels like tests or other major projects are scheduled right before holiday breaks to measure learning. Carefully constructed holiday ‘party activities’ can produce similar, measurable, results but in a manner your students are sure to appreciate more.

The skills and knowledge being covered in class can and should be a part of any classroom party. An added benefit of this approach is that the students will be demonstrating their learning in a more authentic way than what is possible with a traditional test.

3. Encourage creativity

As a high school teacher, I have started making the students take responsibility for the party planning. I ask them to pitch their ideas and then lead the organisation and execution of the event.

Not only does this require them to make creative connections between something they want to do for fun and the curriculum of the class but it also gives them valuable practice with a variety of leadership and planning skills.

4. Reduce stress

Holiday breaks are exciting but they can also come with a lot of pressure and obligations that can negatively affect the holiday mood. Whether it is upcoming tests or navigating family or cultural issues around celebration days, students might have a lot on their plate.

Classroom celebrations give students and teachers something to look forward to and a shared experience that emphasises joy. The party might involve activities that require work but the purpose will allow students to move through the process with a sense of excitement rather than obligation.

Creative holiday party ideas by subject

Math: ‘Schwap’ meet

Have fun while practicing budgeting and using money math!

I have my lovely wife to thank for this idea!

Even though I have never used it in my own class, every year she talks about how much fun her primary students have with this activity. Bonus- it is extremely adaptable to different times of the year.

She uses an incentive system where students can earn ‘Schwab Dollars’ during class for demonstrating positive social and academic behaviours. At the end of each term or before a holiday break students get the chance to spend their earnings at the ‘Schwap Meet’.

Before the event, she will purchase a bunch of  small items and toys that the students can purchase. (If you are lucky, you can solicit donations from parents or community members so you do not have to spend your own money!)

She creates price tags for each item and sets them up around the room. At the beginning of class, students are able to browse the inventory and figure out what they are most interested in purchasing. Each student has a notebook to write down the items they want as well as the prices.

Next, students figure out what they can afford based on the amount of ‘Schwab Dollars’ they earned. They need to do the maths in their exercise book (or on a spreadsheet if you prefer) before they are able to make any purchases.

Ask for a couple of student volunteers to man the cash register. When students buy their items, the cashiers must check their maths. If the maths is wrong, the student has to put items back and re-do their calculations.

The students will have a blast spending the money and strategising about their purchases but that is just the first part. The rest of class the students get to play with and use their new items. Inevitably, you will see students bartering with each other to try and get things they wish they would have purchased originally. To add a more intentional aspect of financial literacy to this holiday celebration for students, use the Miniclips: Finance and Me series to help students better understand budgeting and consumerism.

Business/Economics: Thanksgiving boutique

Planning, budgeting, and entrepreneurship all in one!

My favourite part about this event is that I did not come up with the idea. It was, in fact, a former student who held the job role of Event Coordinator in my Entrepreneurship program. 

She wanted a fun way to celebrate the upcoming holiday and I wanted students to practise selling and communicating with potential customers. We designed an event that I now look forward to every year.

Students are asked to bring in a family recipe, tradition, or object related to the holiday season. (If they do not have a family connection then they get to come up with one they think would be great and ‘sell’ it as if it were already part of their tradition.) I think sometimes students actually enjoy creating new ones better than discussing!

1. Each student is responsible for their own table and they set up their display as if they were at a trade show or boutique. Brochures, decorations, and samples are used to create an authentic experience. 
2. We split it up into two rounds with half of the class acting as customers while the other half acts as vendors. 
3. After about 20-30 minutes students switch roles and go through the process again.

I love doing this one right before Christmas but it can be easily modified for any time of the year because the basic concept remains the same. Every year I notice random students find their way into my class and somehow become part of the event as the word spreads around campus.

The week before our event, I show the class Crash Course Entrepreneurship’s How to Sell Anything so they have a foundation of techniques and strategies to practice during the event. 

To extend this activity- ask students to pick 2-3 concepts from the video and they will have a great foundation for creating their sales pitch. These can be recorded and submitted or performed live to practice students’ oral presentation and persuasive technique skills.

Language Arts: Family traditions

Focus on those important public speaking skills!

Beginning as a student idea I have every intention of making this activity a regular part of my teaching practice as a way of meeting state standards and learning about my cohort!

Each student is asked to create a 3-5 minute presentation detailing a family holiday tradition. They are allowed to bring in props, samples, or multimedia to help tell their story. Make sure to emphasise that the goal is to practice public speaking and sharing something they are proud of so it does not matter if the tradition is simple or elaborate.

This activity allows students to share about themselves, learn about their classmates, bond with one another and practice their oral presentation skills!

When I talked to my colleague about this event she mentioned how she loves the amount of questions students have for each other after the presentations. The entire process helps the class feel more connected and adds a level of mutual respect.

Public speaking is a critical skill for our students to master but it can be incredibly intimidating. Spend some time leading up to the event covering tips and strategies about debating and public speaking can help.

To extend this activity make oral presentations a regular non-threatening part of your teaching practice by:

• Having one student per lesson tell the rest of the class about the day’s news highlights.
• Have a student read the important daily notices rather than reading them yourself. 
• Focus on what not to do in oral presentations rather than what to do. 

Getting up in front of the class and doing all the wrong things can be invaluable as can making it such a regular event that it is no longer as intimidating as it once was.

Art: Spring break

Get creative -both digitally and manually!

Painting Easter eggs is a fun annual tradition in my house and I love hosting a holiday art party in my class right before school holidays. There are so many great themes to focus on during this time of year. 

In my Digital Media and Design course, I first ask students to create an Easter themed color palette and then to create an image that represents growth or renewal. The directions are vague enough that students can be very creative while still getting into the spirit of the season.

My students use design software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator but if you do not have access to that, programs like Canva or Procreate work well too. This can easily be done with traditional art supplies as well if that suits your needs better.

I use this activity to discuss the upcoming quarter of the year and how to approach it with the right perspective and enthusiasm to ensure they finish the term strong. Each student is asked to share what they are looking forward to in the following months so we create an attitude of hope and excitement among the class as we wrap up the term.

The beauty of this holiday celebration for students is that it can be incorporated in any subject area and any year level. The artwork itself is not the most critical component. Celebrating Easter and invoking a sense of excitement throughout the class is the ultimate goal.This activity is a great opportunity to explore the Elements of Art series and have students incorporate these techniques into their work. 

History: Movie analysis

A classic – but with a twist!

So this is probably the most typical idea for a classroom party but it comes with a twist!

First, I make students research and present their choice for a movie to watch that is either related to the material we have been studying or the upcoming holiday. They need to ensure that it is appropriate and accessible and then create a short pitch for the class explaining why their movie is the best choice.

After each student presents their argument to the class, a vote is held to determine the winning film. I do let students know that I hold the ultimate veto power and can override their choice if the movie does not meet the standards or theme of the party.

Secondly, whilst watching, students are asked to identify three scenes or elements of the film that are historically accurate and three parts that are inaccurate. For each element they identify, they must include a reference or citation supporting their claim.

I have found that this setup does not deter from the celebratory mood but definitely adds an educational component that more than justifies the experience.

Tips for planning an inclusive holiday celebration

Holidays can mean different things to different people. Celebrations should be about fun but it is critical to create an environment that honours and respects diverse perspectives. 

The excitement and energy surrounding a holiday party can sometimes overshadow inclusive practices so make sure this topic is a part of any planning process. The following tips can help ensure that festivities are designed around inclusivity:

1. Themes: 

You can emphasise broad themes like gratitude, family or winter rather than specific holiday traditions. For example, instead of celebrating Christmas or Santa Claus, look at the range of holiday celebrations that occur at this time of year, or compare how different cultures celebrate similarly or differently. 

2. Student cultures: 

Allow students to inject elements of their family culture into the celebrations. This could include traditional food, beliefs, or ceremonies. This approach will help students feel validated whilst simultaneously increasing awareness of different cultures.

3. Student input: 

Give students the opportunity to contribute to the planning of the event so that the celebration can better represent the backgrounds of everyone in the class.

4. Flexibility: 

Offer a variety of activities and possibilities for students to choose from during the celebration. Providing more options will help students feel comfortable and more likely to engage in a manner that is comfortable for them.

5. Avoid assumptions: 

Creating an open and safe space for the class to discuss the upcoming event can help uncover any potential issues or scenarios that could make students feel marginalised. Also, make sure students are comfortable speaking with you privately to share any concerns leading up to the festivities.

Conclusion

School is hard. Work is hard. Deep and meaningful learning is hard. Teaching is definitely hard.

We all have experienced the daily grind and it is really important that we include intentional parties and celebrations to rejuvenate our spirit and build momentum for our next challenge. Holidays offer a great opportunity (or excuse) to plan a fun event that brings joy.

Incorporating curriculum and class goals into a holiday celebration creates a win-win situation. Students and teachers get a break from the daily routine but still continue developing the skills that school is focused on.

And if you are worried you cannot make it until the next holiday, be sure to check out ClickViews collection of Celebrations, Commemorations, and Festivals. You are guaranteed to find an upcoming event or idea that you can incorporate into your class that will add delight, classroom connectivity and deeper cultural awareness.