Powerful December Classroom Activities for Your Holiday Engagement Toolkit
December in the classroom can be both magical and chaotic. Students are buzzing with holiday excitement, schedules get interrupted, and attention spans seem shorter than usual. This post is going to feature a lot of my Teachers Pay Teachers resources—and here’s why: in the “crazy times of year,” strategies built around movement, productive struggle, teamwork, and gamification shine the brightest. These are not only the cornerstones of my teaching practice, but also the foundation of the resources I create for other teachers. My goal here is to give you practical, structured December classroom activities that will keep students learning, moving, and engaged all the way through the holidays.
Why December Engagement Needs Movement, Teamwork, and Calm
The key to thriving in December isn’t more work, it’s smarter structure. By rotating between movement-based learning, collaborative problem solving, deep discussions, and calming independent tasks, you can keep students engaged without burning yourself out. Think of it as a rhythm: high-energy activities balanced with productive struggle, then winding down with quieter moments.
This toolkit gives you ready-to-go options you can mix and match, including scavenger hunts, escape rooms, hexagonal thinking, and activity mats.
Movement Activities: Novel Scavenger Hunts That Get Kids Learning on Their Feet
When the wiggles set in, use that energy for good. My figurative language scavenger hunts and around-the-school scavenger hunts get students literally up and moving as they engage with text. Whether they’re spotting similes in passages or racing to find clues hidden in hallways, these hunts combine movement with meaningful practice.
👉 Try: Figurative Language Scavenger Hunts
👉 Or: Around-the-School Scavenger Hunts
Teamwork + Productive Struggle: Escape Rooms That Challenge and Unite
December is the perfect time to lean on gamified teamwork. Novel-based escape rooms turn review into a challenge students can’t resist. Working in teams, they’ll experience productive struggle as they crack codes, solve puzzles, and uncover answers that review key story elements.
This isn’t just busywork—it’s structured challenge that keeps students focused and working together, even when the countdown is on.
👉 Explore: Novel Review Escape Rooms
Deep Discussion: Hexagonal Thinking for Critical and Creative Connections
For those moments when you want students to slow down, think deeply, and connect ideas, hexagonal thinking is the perfect strategy. Using my novel-specific templates or SEL-focused hexagons, students make surprising links between themes, characters, and big ideas. It’s collaborative, visual, and engaging—perfect for December when attention spans need a fresh spark.
👉 Use: Hexagonal Thinking Templates
Free Resource: Want to try it out? Grab my SEL Hexagonal Thinking Freebie. It comes with ready-to-use prompts that encourage teamwork, empathy, and deep conversation. Perfect for December’s mix of high energy and reflective moments.
And for more on how this strategy transforms learning, check out my blog post: Transform Learning with Hexagonal Thinking: A Powerful SEL Strategy.
December Classroom Activities for Quiet Time: Activity Mats for Independent Engagement
Sometimes you just need a calm, structured way to keep students learning. Mini Escape Room Activity mats are perfect for those quieter blocks—whether you need to catch up on grading, host a small group, or give students space to recharge but still challenged to keep them engaged and on task. Each mat is designed to promote problem-solving skills in a low-prep, high-interest way.
👉 Try: Themed Activity Mats
Rotating the december classroom activities Toolkit: Structuring December for Success
The magic is in the balance. Here’s a simple way to rotate these strategies:
- Monday/Wednesday: Movement with scavenger hunts
- Tuesday: Team escape room challenges
- Thursday: Deep discussions with hexagonal thinking
- Friday: Calm reflection with activity mats
This rotation gives students the variety they crave while keeping your teaching structured and purposeful.
Final Thoughts: Keep December Classroom Activities Joyful and Structured
December doesn’t have to feel like a battle. By blending movement, productive struggle, teamwork, and quiet activities, you can keep students learning and engaged while still preserving your own energy. With the right balance, your classroom can feel both festive and focused.
👉 Ready to bring this toolkit to life? Start with the free SEL Hexagonal Thinking resource and see how easily it sparks connection and engagement.
Happy teaching
