December brings a very unique energy to the music classroom:
students are tired, attention spans drop, excitement rises, and everyone is counting down to winter break.
Planning music lessons during this time can feel overwhelming.
Focus is low, routines feel different, and emotions run high.
That’s why December calls for a completely different teaching strategy:
✔ more visual activities
✔ simple, low-cognitive-load tasks
✔ festive and playful elements
✔ color-based and hands-on materials
✔ and most importantly… no extra prep for the teacher
This is where Christmas and winter music resources shine:
engaging, musical, calming, and easy to use with any group—perfect for ending the year with joy instead of stress.
Below, I’m sharing my most effective winter music resources, plus practical teaching tips you can use right away.
Why December Requires Simpler, More Visual & Playful Music Activities
December affects students differently:
- They’re more anxious and excited
- Concentration dips noticeably
- Cognitive fatigue is real
- Classroom energy is unpredictable
- They benefit from calm, structured tasks
This is why festive activities like:
color-by-note rhythm worksheets visual note-reading pages simple holiday games
…work incredibly well during this period.
These activities allow students to keep learning music without mental overload—turning December into a festive, productive, low-stress experience.
And coloring in particular has strong benefits:
- helps reduce anxiety
- lowers stress
- supports emotional regulation
- helps transition into calmer lesson segments
Perfect for busy end-of-year days.
How to Use These Activities in Your December Music Lessons
Here are strategies I use as a music educator that consistently work with students ages 5–11:
🎵 1. Use them as warm-ups
Before teaching a new concept, a simple worksheet helps center attention and prepares the brain for learning.
🎄 2. Use them as a calm end-of-class activity
Color-by-note pages are wonderful when the group’s energy is high and you need a gentle landing.
❄️ 3. Use them in learning centers
Laminate pages and use dry-erase markers — students love this!
🎧 4. Play soft Christmas music in the background
Movement + coloring + background music helps students absorb melodies without having to repeat them many times.
🌈 5. Offer variety for different learning styles
Some students love coloring.
Others prefer rhythm writing.
Others respond better to games.
Variety ensures every learner finds something that feels enjoyable and manageable.
🎁 Top Christmas & Winter Music Resources for Your Classroom
Here are my most effective, teacher-approved festive materials—each designed to be print-and-teach.
❄️ 1. Winter Music Coloring Pages | Snowman Color by Note & Piano Keys
Students identify notes or piano keys while coloring cheerful snowmen.
Perfect for:
✔ warm-ups
✔ end-of-class calm moments
✔ centers
✔ sub plans
✔ review
Tpt Link: In English / In Spanish
Eduki Link: In Spanish
🎄 2. Christmas & Winter Rhythm Worksheets | Notes, Rests & Time Signatures
25 rhythm activities including:
• identify notes & rests
• musical math
• time signature sort
• tracing rhythms
• completing measures
• counting ornaments
A highly engaging way to teach rhythm during December.
Tpt Link: In English / In Spanish
Eduki Link: In Spanish
🎶 3. Winter & Christmas Music Theory Mega Bundle (120+ pages) – Save 20%
Your complete December solution. Ideal for teachers wanting the full seasonal collection at a discount.
Includes:
• 25 rhythm worksheets
• 55 staff/notes worksheets
• 11 color-by-note & piano keys
• 9 color-by-note & rest
• Advent note-reading calendar
• Christmas rhythm dictation activities
Great for teachers with many classes or limited planning time.
Tpt Link: In English / In Spanish
Eduki Link: In Spanish
⭐ 4. Christmas Music Theory Worksheets – Color by Note (Best Seller!)
A yearly favorite.
Teachers love it because it is:
✔ calm and engaging
✔ zero prep
✔ great for any age
✔ perfect for chaotic December days
✔ visually appealing and easy to differentiate
Tpt Link: In English / In Spanish
Eduki Link: In Spanish
🎅5. Your Freebie for December Music Lessons
To help you get started right away, here is a free resource you can download:
👉 Free Winter & Christmas Music Worksheets
Perfect for:
✔ early finishers
✔ warm-ups
✔ centers
✔ at-home review
✔ sub plans
Tpt Link: In English / In Spanish
Eduki Link: In Spanish
❄️ December Doesn’t Have to Be Exhausting
With the right tools, December can become:
✔ musical
✔ peaceful
✔ joyful
✔ productive
✔ and stress-free
These festive activities help students stay engaged, regulate their energy, and keep learning — while giving you, the teacher, a much-needed break from heavy planning.
Check out more resources here
Thank you for bringing music to your students, even in the busiest time of year.
💛 Wishing you a peaceful, joyful and musical December!