Are your preschoolers telling you absolutely everything they want for Christmas? Turn those “wants” into some literacy fun with this Christmas letter game printable. It’s an alphabet “train” but with a couple of twists.
As an added Christmas bonus, I have included many different ways to use this festive Christmas printable. Wait until you see just how versatile it is! You just might think it’s a Christmas gift, come early.
Be sure to grab your free copy of this preschool Christmas letter printable at the end of this post!
Preschool Christmas Letter Printable + 6 Christmas Games
I don’t know about you, but my home is already filled with some of the simple joys that come with Christmas.
Our mailbox has been marred with unceasing catalogs from giant distributors like Walmart, Amazon, and even Costco, and my children have been so dedicated to circling every last toy they are wishing for this Christmas.
Read the entire catalog.
But that’s ok with me. For my little boys, I figure it’s a fun way for them to practice some writing skills, like holding the pencil with a mature grip and closing the circle. My second-grade daughter has used a sheet from my grocery list tablet to make her own wish list where she rewrites the names of each toy as well as cites the catalog and the page number, even!
So while the leaves are still falling from the trees and my mind is on how I’m going to host a 26 person Thanksgiving dinner in my 1900 square foot house. My kids have kinda’ moved on.
And I’m ok with that.
Because here is why…This is not your average Christmas printable.
Yes, I have a main game this printable was designed for, but as always I’ll be offering some other ways to use this same printable. And one of those activities just might stop the “I want, I want…” that sometimes comes with Christmas.
Now, if you homeschool preschool or work at a preschool, then this Christmas letter printable is going to make your day! Because there are so many ways you can use it in your classroom. Plus, activities like this one make wonderful informal letter recognition assessments, too.
Don’t forget to grab your free copy of this printable at the end of the post.
Christmas Tree Present Train
All you need for the present alphabet train is the free printable.
Go ahead and print it out on heavy cardstock, cut the pieces, and then laminate for added durability.
How to Make a Christmas Tree Present Train
As with any letter train activity, or like a traditional alphabet train activity, you’re going to need a little space. I like to have my preschoolers build their trains on the floor. (We actually started on my long preschool table, but quickly ran out of space).
Lay out the Christmas tree mat on the floor. Somewhere where there is quite a bit of space. Now, invite your preschooler to join you in making a train of presents!
Each present card has a letter on it, so your preschooler’s task is to line up the presents in alphabetical order.
But my favorite way to use this printable is for name spelling practice! See below.
Christmas Present Train Name Spelling
Spelling names is a super fun way to use any Christmas letter printable. Preschoolers adore anything with their name. They also adore Christmas presents. So, combine the two and you have a winning Christmas activity!
The activity is actually pretty straight forward. Use the present cards to spell your preschooler’s name alongside the Christmas tree printable.
For older preschoolers, they might be able to find all the present cards needed to spell their names.
Some preschoolers might be able to if they have a name tag to follow.
Younger preschoolers will need you to set out the correct present cards and then they can order the letters to spell their name.
Use this Christmas letter printable for kindergarten!
My kinder aged son loved practicing some sight words with our present train idea. Add it to your sight word center!
More Ways To Use this FREE Christmas Printable
You may have thought I was done, but let me share with you even more ideas for how to use this printable.
Oh, and a few of these ideas include removing the “I want” from Christmas. 😉
- Practice visual discrimination skills by asking your preschooler to make a present train of letters with only straight lines, or only curved lines, or only letters that have both.
- Pretend that you must “wrap the letter in sounds” as you make the train. As your preschooler adds a letter card, have them chant the letter sound as they add it to the train.
- Invite your preschooler to select cards at random to add to the train, naming each letter as they go. Then challenge your preschooler to sing the alphabet song in the order of the present train.
- Your preschooler will enjoy just making a pile of presents under the Christmas tree. So let them! But with every present they add underneath, they must not only name the letter (or sound) but also tell one thing they can give to another person for Christmas. Ideas can be as simple as a hug or a drawing!
- You can follow the same activity as above but invite your preschoolers to share favorite Christmas traditions or memories.
Get Your FREE Christmas Present “Train” Printable!
I know your preschoolers will love it, and your kinder students, too! What a fun Christmas printable to add to your literacy center, too.
Looking for More Christmas Printables?
These are tested by my own kids and preschoolers. Just click the image below to see the post.
Want Even More Christmas Activities?
You can find all my best Christmas activities for preschoolers in the link below.
>>> Best Christmas Activities for Preschoolers <<<
Additionally, here are four favorite Christmas activities we’ve done in preschool. Just click the images.
Christmas Letter Printables
This was too fun! What ideas do you have for using this free Christmas printable? I’d love to hear your creative ideas in the comments!
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
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