The holiday season is magical, chaotic, and let’s be honest—a little overwhelming in the classroom. Your students are buzzing with excitement (and probably way too much sugar), and you’re juggling lesson plans, holiday activities, and trying to squeeze in all that curriculum before break.
I see you. I feel you. And I’ve got your back.
Here’s the thing—this time of year should be fun and meaningful, not stressful. Instead of scrambling for last-minute activities (or resorting to another basic word search), let’s simplify with engaging, ready-to-go lessons that celebrate diversity, spark curiosity, and keep your students actually learning.
So take a deep breath. You don’t have to do it all. And with these done-for-you holiday activities, you won’t just survive this season—you’ll enjoy it.
In today’s diverse world, our classrooms are a beautiful mix of cultures, traditions, and backgrounds. By celebrating and acknowledging multicultural holidays, we’re not just adding some fun to the school year—we’re creating an inclusive, welcoming space where every student feels seen, valued, and respected. Here’s why it matters:
1️⃣ Builds Cultural Awareness & Empathy – When students learn about different traditions, they develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for cultures outside their own. It fosters respect, kindness, and open-mindedness—skills they’ll carry for life!
2️⃣ Encourages Representation & Belonging – Imagine being a student whose holiday isn’t mentioned at school. By incorporating diverse celebrations, we’re sending the message that every culture matters, making all students feel included.
3️⃣ Expands Learning Beyond Textbooks – Multicultural holiday activities connect students to real-world traditions, history, and geography in a way that’s engaging and meaningful. Learning about Diwali, Hanukkah, Lunar New Year, and more helps students see the world beyond their own experiences.
4️⃣ Promotes Critical Thinking & Discussion – Comparing different celebrations encourages thoughtful conversations about history, values, and traditions. It’s a great way to build curiosity and perspective-taking in young learners.
5️⃣ Makes Learning More Fun & Engaging – Let’s be real—holiday-themed lessons grab students’ attention! Whether through storytelling, crafts, or interactive activities, celebrating different holidays makes learning exciting and memorable.
At the end of the day, recognizing multicultural holidays isn’t just about celebrating—it’s about creating a classroom culture that embraces diversity, unity, and lifelong learning.
Here are my top 6 multicultural holiday activities that your students will love!
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD ESCAPE ROOM
Keeping kids engaged when they’re counting down to winter break can be a real challenge. That’s where this Christmas Around the World Escape Room comes in! It’s the perfect way to channel all that holiday excitement into meaningful learning and critical thinking—without resorting to boring worksheets.
In this interactive, no-prep activity, students will “travel” across the globe, unlocking clues and solving puzzles as they learn about different Christmas traditions. They’ll build reading comprehension skills, work collaboratively, and develop problem-solving strategies—all while having a blast!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
There are 4 clue cards and 4 puzzle decoders. Each clue card includes a short reading passage, questions to check for understanding, and a secret message to decode. Students will have to use deductive reasoning to determine which puzzle decoder corresponds with which clue. A set of labeled decoders is included for differentiation or younger grades.
Students will work in pairs (or individually) and race to complete all 4 clue cards. A friendly competition always increases engagement. As students progress through the escape room, they will earn “clues” to determine the final 4-digit code. The final code is also a puzzle! In order to “escape” students must present correct answers for EVERY question as well as the decoded secret messages and final 4-digit code.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CUBES
Want to bring Day of the Dead to life in your classroom with an activity that’s both engaging and packed with learning? This Day of the Dead Cube Code Lesson is a must-try! It’s the ultimate mix of stations, close reading, comprehension, citing evidence, critical thinking, and creativity—all rolled into one hands-on activity that keeps students moving and learning.
Here’s how it works:
Students dive into a nonfiction passage, revisiting it at each of the six stations to find answers, cite evidence, and crack a secret code.
Each station adds a piece to their cube, reinforcing key facts while keeping engagement high. Station 6 wraps it all up with a main idea and writing activity. After completing the stations, students color, assemble, and display their cubes, creating a vibrant, interactive classroom showcase!
The best part? No prior knowledge needed! Whether you’re introducing or reviewing multicultural traditions, this activity makes learning about Día de los Muertos meaningful, interactive, and fun!
LUNAR NEW YEAR STATIONS
If you’re looking for a way to make Lunar New Year an unforgettable learning experience, this Lunar New Year Escape Room is exactly what you need! No more passive reading—this interactive, station-based activity gets students moving, thinking critically, and fully engaged in the celebration.
Here’s how it works:
-Students work their way through multiple stations, answering reading comprehension questions, uncovering key facts, and piecing together clues.
-Close reading + problem-solving = the perfect mix of literacy skills and hands-on fun!
-No prior knowledge needed! This activity provides all the essential info, making it great for front-loading or review.
-Self-checking & easy to implement! Students must crack the codes to move forward—ensuring they stay focused and on-task.
With their reading passage in hand, students will move around the classroom visiting 5 stations. At each station, they will determine a 4-digit code and reveal a “letter clue” to determine the final ALPHA code. In order to “escape” students must present the 4-digit code for EVERY station as well as the final 4-digit ALPHA code. They must show completion on all stations.By the end, your students will not only understand the traditions and significance of Lunar New Year, but they’ll also have a blast doing it.
NEW YEAR’S SCAVENGER HUNT
With the New Year’s Around the World Scavenger Hunt activity, students choose a reading card to start at and may start at ANY card. They read the passage and look at the question at the bottom labeled “code word”. The code word for THAT card number will lead them to a different card.
But here’s the catch… students will NOT know where to find the answer so they will have to visit, skim, browse and revisit the clue cards and reading passages several times to find the answer they are seeking. (The more times they read or skim, the greater the chances of the info sinking in!)
Is it still a scavenger hunt? It sure is! Students are roaming around the room hunting for answers. With large groups it’s often too hard to hide clues without the first group giving away the location once a clue has been found. This format ensures that ALL students can participate, and the “answers” will not be revealed by students who “finish” first.
EASTER AROUND THE WORLD ESCAPE
The Easter Around the World Task Card Escape Room gives students a chance to practice reading comprehension skills and decode puzzles, all while actively learning! With their reading passage in hand, students will move around the classroom and visit 16 task cards. The task cards are broken down into 4 levels or puzzle types. This reading comprehension activity covers the following topics:
Easter traditions around the world, Ukraine, Mexico, Finland, Greece, etc. This product is NOT religious.
Students will revisit the non-fiction text multiple times, practicing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills as they rotate around the room decoding puzzles. To ensure understanding of the subject matter, students will answer questions that can be found directly in their reading passage. No prior knowledge is needed.
Students will work in pairs (or individually) and race to complete 16 questions. A friendly competition always increases engagement. Students will read the informational text, answer 16 multiple choice questions and decode 4 types of puzzles which ultimately lead to a final 4-digit code.
In addition to learning or reinforcing the subject matter, these escape rooms encourage teamwork and critical thinking. As a “timed” challenge, students will be engaged from beginning to end!
Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Escape Room Stations
This Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa Escape Room is the perfect way to introduce students to these three major winter holidays while keeping them fully immersed in the learning process!
Instead of boring worksheets, students will move through interactive stations, decode secret messages, and use critical thinking skills to uncover key facts about each holiday.
They’ll read passages, answer comprehension questions, and unlock codes—all while learning about different cultural traditions in an exciting, hands-on way.
No prior knowledge? No problem! This escape room is designed for all learners, making it a great front-loading activity or review. And the best part? It’s low-prep and high-impact, meaning you get to enjoy the fun without the extra stress.
Students will work in pairs (or individually) and race to complete all 5 stations. A friendly competition always increases engagement. Students will read the informational text, answer questions and reveal letter clues, which ultimately lead to a final 4-digit ALPHA code.
Station Tasks
✔️ Station 1: Fill in the Blank
✔️ Station 2: Find the Paragraph
✔️ Station 3: True or False
✔️ Station 4: Lock Combination
✔️ Station 5: Multiple Choice
You can hang the cards on the wall, scatter them on the floor, place them on desks, hide them or use as stations. How you choose to set it up in your classroom is up to you.
Not only will these activities keep your students engaged, but they’ll also help build cultural awareness, empathy, and appreciation for traditions beyond their own.
So grab your coffee, hit print, and let’s make this holiday season one to remember—without the stress! How do you celebrate multicultural holidays in your classroom? Let me know below!
