Little Hands Learning – December 2021: Christmas Activity Box

Little Hands Learning is a children’s activity box subscription service that supports your child’s learning and development through the magic of books. December’s Christmas-themed box contained the 32-page book, ‘Last Stop on the Reindeer Express’ written by Maudie Powell-Tuck and illustrated by Karl James Mountford. It’s the festive tale of a little girl missing her father and discovering a magical world inside a mysterious letterbox. It’s beautifully illustrated and each page contains little cut-out peep-holes, flaps, and hidden details.

The multi-sensory activities that accompany this month’s book (which are carefully selected by experienced teachers) are designed to take children on a Christmas adventure through literature, arts & crafts, and baking. December’s box included the following materials: detailed activity cards with easy-to-follow instructions, tips, keywords and interesting talking points, white playdough, Christmas biscuits mix, greaseproof paper, brown paint, card, raffia and an adorable reindeer toy. There are also extra activity ideas inspired by the book and using the resources provided on the Little Hands Learning website by scanning the QR code on the lid of the box.

Activity 1 – Christmas Biscuits

Our first activity was to make delicious Christmas biscuits. The mix contained flour, caster sugar, ground cinnamon, and ginger all packaged in a compostable bag. Penny loved rubbing the butter in with her fingers and chose a snowflake cutter to shape her biscuits. I loved how the greaseproof paper was also included as I never seem to have any handy and that the mix’s best before date was until in the end of February. This was such a calm, tactile activity that provided a lovely break from all the Christmas chaos.

Activity 2 – Christmas Tree

This simple activity involved using the raffia included in the box to create a Christmas tree. Penny and I worked together to cut the raffia into different lengths and tie knots. This activity encouraged Penny to be precise, responsible and develop her fine motor skills.

Activity 3 – Christmas Card

Penny used the brown paint (packaged in a reusable glass jar) to make adorable fingerprint reindeers Christmas cards for our neighbors. She simply dipped her fingers into the paint and then drew antlers and details onto the cards provided. We spoke about the little girl in her story and how she missed her daddy. Penny spoke about the people she missed at Christmas and how we can remind them how much we love them at this time of year.

Activity 4 – The Reindeer Express

Penny and I love exploring outside for natural treasures as part of our small world activity. She used the white playdough to make the hills in our story, as well as snowballs and a little snowman, she used the pebbles, sticks and pinecones to decorate her winter wonder scene with her new reindeer toy at the centre. My little girl spent hours recreating the images in the book using a variety of different materials.