December brings a special kind of magic to nurseries. At kGems Nursery and Preschool, we transform our spaces into playful winter wonderlands that spark curiosity, imagination, and creativity. Across our locations in Islington, Valentines Park, Clayhall, and Leytonstone, children aged 3 months to 5 years enjoy festive activities designed to support sensory development, social skills, creativity, and early learning.

Sensory Play Activities

December is a feast for the senses. Children explore festive sensory bins filled with snow, cotton, and glitter, squish cinnamon-scented play dough, and shake jingle bell shakers during music time. Babies and toddlers delight in twinkling lights in sensory bottles, while older children investigate pine cones, branches, and other natural materials collected on walks. These activities engage touch, smell, sight, and sound, helping children explore the world around them in fun, hands-on ways.

Social Development Activities

The festive season is the perfect time to foster empathy and cooperation. Children help decorate our Kindness Tree with good deed notes, take turns posting letters to Father Christmas, and share winter wishes. Through these simple activities, children learn about sharing, kindness, and working together.

Unleashed Creativity with Open Ended Holiday Themed Activities

Open-ended holiday crafts allow children to express themselves freely. From painting salt-dough ornaments and creating foil star collages to decorating light festival paper lanterns, children use their imagination to make each creation unique. Natural materials like twigs, leaves, and pinecones are incorporated to add texture and a seasonal touch. These activities encourage imagination, creativity, and independent thinking.

Language and Early Maths

Festive songs, rhymes, and role-play activities support vocabulary and communication. Children also practice early maths skills through counting and sorting baubles, lights, and decorations. Holiday-themed pretend play, such as a festive post office or market, encourages storytelling, negotiation, and imaginative thinking.

Inclusive, Stress-Free Learning

All December activities at kGems are inclusive, pressure-free, and centred on playful discovery. We adapt celebrations to reflect a variety of traditions, ensuring every child feels included. Even simple outdoor experiences, like exploring icy surfaces or feeling the winter breeze, are used to support development in a fun, stress-free way.

Parents often tell us their children come home buzzing with new songs, words, and ideas, excited to share what they have learned. At this time of year, children registered at kGems often shine, adding extra magic to the nursery and making December a truly special season.

Wondering about the magic this year? Book a tour at kgems.co.uk or follow @kgemsdaynurseries on Instagram to see our little ones shine this festive season.