Getting Ready for Holidays in Our Homeschool
It always amazes me how quickly the holidays sneak up once a new school year begins. One moment we’re organizing fresh notebooks and sharpening pencils, and the next we’re surrounded by pumpkins, twinkle lights, and holiday excitement. I love this time of year, but as a homeschooling mom, I’ve learned that the holiday season can add a whole new layer of busy to our days.
That’s why I like to plan ahead and keep simple, no-prep activities on hand. They help us stay connected to our learning goals while still leaving plenty of room for the fun and family traditions that make the holidays so special.
For my kids, holiday-themed printables are always a hit. Mad libs turn into fits of giggles, word searches and crosswords sneak in spelling and vocabulary practice, tracing pages help my younger ones keep up with handwriting, and the fun fact pages spark conversations I wouldn’t have thought to bring up otherwise. Plus, the drawing spaces keep them busy long after they’ve finished the activity—especially when they want to illustrate their silly mad lib stories.
To make life easier for myself (and hopefully for other moms too!), I bundled my favorite printables into one place. It covers Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas—five of the busiest, most joy-filled times of the year. And the best part? They’re all print-and-go. Perfect for morning work, quiet time, or those moments when I just need something meaningful to fill the gap.
If you’d like to take a peek, you can find the bundle here:
👉 No-Prep Holiday Language Arts Word Puzzles & Activities Printable Bundle
Creative Holiday Ideas for Your Homeschool
Here are some of the ways I turn these simple printables into memorable, playful learning experiences in our homeschool:
1. Holiday Story Theater
After completing a mad lib, my kids love to perform their stories aloud. We grab props from around the house, make funny sound effects, and take turns reading in different voices. It’s always hilarious, and I love that they’re practicing reading fluency, expression, and confidence while laughing the whole time.
2. Mini Storybooks
We combine the drawing spaces from the printables with storytelling. Each child illustrates their mad lib or fact sheet, and we staple all the pages together to make a little book. By the end, we have a homemade holiday storybook full of creativity and giggles—perfect for bedtime reading or gifting to family.
3. Holiday Scavenger Writing
I hide little holiday-themed items around the house (or even in the yard if the weather is nice). Each time the kids find an item, they write a sentence or two about it on a printable page. This turns writing practice into an active game and gives them a chance to explore descriptive words, sequencing, and creativity.
4. Holiday Vocabulary Challenge
Using word searches and crosswords from the bundle, we turn it into a friendly challenge. Each correct word earns a small sticker or token. It’s simple, quick, and motivates my kids to pay attention to spelling and word patterns without feeling like formal “practice.”
5. Seasonal Journal Prompt
I love asking my kids to reflect on the holidays with short journal prompts—like “What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food and why?” or “If you could create a new Christmas tradition, what would it be?” We use our printables as a springboard, then let the kids write and draw in their journals. This encourages writing, self-expression, and a little bit of reflection that’s perfect for the season.
These small twists have completely changed how we approach holiday learning. It’s no longer about squeezing in worksheets; it’s about blending creativity, learning, and family fun in a way that feels natural and joyful.