Christmas Party Activity - What's In Santa's Stocking

By Julie Pirkle

Preschoolers can’t resist shaking Christmas packages to try and discover what’s inside when mom isn’t looking. With this Christmas party activity, preschoolers can touch and shake the presents all they want. Preschooler’s will literally guess what’s in Santa’s stocking as they examine wrapped presents all with a Christmas theme. Afterwards, they’ll unwrap the gifts and see if they were successful determining what’s in Santa’s stocking. The what’s in Santa’s stocking activity is a delightfully festive addition to any preschooler’s holiday party.

What You Will Need

A Christmas Stocking

Wrapping Paper
Scissors
Scotch Tape
Piece of Paper
Pen

Candy Cane
Cookie Cutter
Christmas Ornament
Tinsel
Small String of Christmas Lights
Taper Candle
Baby Jesus Figurine from a Nativity Set
Small Snowman Figurine
Small Christmas Tree Figurine

Tip: When choosing figurines for the what’s in Santa’s stocking activity, try to collect non breakable items.

What to Do

Step 1:

Wrap items seven through 15 in wrapping paper.

Step 2:

Put the wrapped items into the Christmas stocking.

Step 3:

Instruct preschoolers to sit in a circle.

Step 4:

Explain to preschoolers that you are going to put a “present” in Santa’s stocking and that each one of them will get 10 seconds to touch the present and try to guess what it is. Give them a hint, and let the preschoolers know that all the presents are related to Christmas.

Step 5:

Put the first wrapped item into the stocking and hand it to one of the preschoolers.

Step 6:

Have the preschooler stick his/her hand inside the stocking and touch the present for no more than 10 seconds.

Step 7:

Tell the preschooler to whisper in your ear what they think the present is.

Step 8:

Write down their name and what they think present #1 is.

Step 9:

Pass the stocking to the next participant and so on, until each preschooler has the opportunity to play.

Step 10:

Repeat steps five through nine for each present.

Step 11:

Choose a preschooler to open present #1 and reveal what’s inside.

Step 12:

Repeat step 11 until each present has been opened.

Step 13:

Tally up the preschoolers’ scores, and award the preschooler with the most right a small prize. You may want to give each preschooler that played a candy cane as a reward so nobody feels left out.

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