Flannel Board Fun: 2023

Christmas Play Felt Board Set

I've had a lot of fun creating some holiday sets for holidays that I don't personally celebrate (like Diwali, and Kwanzaa, and Ramadan, and Hanukkah!) (I was right--it WAS fun, and wow, I learned a lot while doing research for those sets.) I'm really happy to be able to share those, as I think it's pretty important to expose kids to various cultures. And to share in celebrations with the kids who DO celebrate holidays outside of my own experience :)

For the most part, I focus holiday sets on the parts of holidays that kids understand most easily. So the concepts are generally about simple traditions vs. religious themes.

I also want my sets to be usable both as storytime sets-- where the adult is using the set pieces as props to support a rhyme, song or story--and as play sets for the kids--where the kids are re-enacting traditions, songs, and stories that they've learned about.

And today I'm sharing my Christmas set! This one was primarily created for kids to play with independently at home (or in a classroom or library setting). I've got a couple of other Christmas storytime sets already, and I was thinking more about independent play when I built this cutie But as you see from the songs below, it can certainly be used at story time as well!

The Lights on the Tree

As you sing each verse, place the pieces on the board.

The lights on the tree go sparkle, sparkle, sparkle, (twinkle fingers)

sparkle, sparkle, sparkle; sparkle, sparkle, sparkle

The lights on the tree go sparkle, sparkle, sparkle…

On Christmas day!

The cookies left for Santa are yummy, yummy, yummy (rub tummy)

The stockings hung with care are red and green (point at each as you sing the color)

The Christmas pajamas we wear are cozy and warm (put the jammies on the kids and hug yourself)

The presents under the tree have bows and ribbon (place the ribbons on the gifts)

The candy canes in the stockings are sticky and sweet (put the candy canes in the stockings)

Ornament Hide and Seek

Arrange your pieces on the board as you’d like them, naming them with the children. Have the children cover their eyes, or turn the board around, or take the pieces off and sneakily put one of the felt tree ornaments under one of them as you replace them on the board. Then, perform your chant:

Ornament, ornament, you fell off the tree!

Are you behind the ___________? Let’s look and see!

Hanukkah Play and Storytime Set

I thought it would be fun to create some holiday sets for holidays that I don't personally celebrate (like Diwali, and Kwanzaa, and Ramadan!) (I was right--it WAS fun, and wow, I learned a lot while doing research for these sets.) I'm so happy to be able to share these, as I think it's so important to expose kids to various cultures, and to share in celebrations with the kids who DO celebrate holidays outside of my own experience :)

I focus holiday sets on the parts of holidays that kids understand most easily, so the concepts are generally about simple traditions vs. religious themes.

I also want them to be usable both as storytime sets-- where the adult is using the set pieces as props to support a rhyme, song or story--and as play sets for the kids--where the kids are re-enacting traditions, songs, and stories that they've learned about.

So up today is Hanukkah. This particular set was originally created for kids to play with independently--but then I realized it's completely usable at story time, too! I made up some super simple songs to go with the set--Hanukkah vocabulary and concepts are sprinkled within, and the tunes are familiar so everyone will have an easy time joining in.

It is Hanukkah © Wendy Gerbi

To the tune of Frere Jacques. Explain the concept of call and response if the kids aren’t familiar with it. You can set up your pieces on the board ahead of time or place them on as you sing about them. Do what works for you—having the kids help place the pieces on the board is the most fun 😊

It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah

The festival of lights, the festival of lights!

The shamash lights the candles, the shamash lights the candles.

Shining bright, shining bright!

It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah

The festival of lights, the festival of lights!

Fry potato latkes, fry potato latkes,

Eat them up, eat them up!

It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah

The festival of lights, the festival of lights!

Spin the little dreidels, spin the little dreidels,

Watch them fall, watch them fall!

It is Hanukkah, it is Hanukkah

The festival of lights, the festival of lights!

Fry the sufganiyot, fry the sufganiyot,

Cherries on top, cherries on top!

Hanukkah is Here

to the tune of Farmer in the Dell

As you sing about each felt piece, place it on the board.