Holidays often mean special food—and that’s something preschoolers are sure to remember! Exploring winter holidays around the world is extra fun when you include snacks, sweet traditions, and sensory play. It’s also a great way to spark curiosity, encourage conversation, and teach appreciation for different cultures.

• Germany: Learn about St. Nicholas Day and make pretend boots out of paper to “fill” with little goodies. Talk about sweet breads like stollen and let kids knead playdough “dough.” Families can share stories about leaving shoes by the door and waking up to small surprises. You can even sing a festive German children’s song together to bring the tradition to life.
• Ethiopia: Celebrate Ganna by dressing in white and talking about special family gatherings. Preschoolers can make simple collages using white and gold materials. Introduce them to traditional Ethiopian music and let them move to the rhythm. Families might also talk about the importance of gathering around food and faith.
• Japan: Learn about Japanese New Year, which is celebrated with noodles for long life! Make pretend noodles from yarn and practice slurping sounds for fun. Children can decorate a homemade “kadomatsu” (a New Year’s decoration made from paper). You can also practice saying “Akemashite omedetou!”—which means “Happy New Year!” in Japanese.

Set up a holiday-themed sensory bin with “snow” (flour or cotton balls), spices, or pretend foods. Add scoops, bowls, and small flags to represent different countries. This type of play builds fine motor skills and introduces cultural concepts in a hands-on, memorable way.

At Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Greatwood, our students get the chance to taste, touch, hear, and imagine their way through learning. Our classrooms celebrate different cultures through stories, art, and play. When you enroll at Kids ‘R’ Kids, your child doesn’t just prepare for kindergarten—they begin to understand the world. Come see the difference today!

If you enjoyed this blog, please take a look at our school’s blog page. There you will find blogs on a wide variety of topics that we believe will be beneficial to you and your family. Want to learn more about Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Greatwood located in Richmond, Texas? Our mission is to provide secure, nurturing, and educational environments for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years. We help children to bloom into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. For more information, give us a call or stop by for a tour! We’d love to get to know you and your family.