Super Simple Christmas Play for Preschoolers

During December, preschoolers can prepare for this super simple Christmas play and present it to parents as a fun celebration of Christmas!

Setting the Scene

At the first of December, involve children in decorating the classroom. Kids can make and hang several glitter stars and one large star from the ceiling. Children can paint cardboard figures of Mary and Joseph. A decorated box can serve as the manger with a baby doll as Jesus. You’ll also need to designate or draw three doors around the room. Place the nativity scene by the third door.

Creating Costumes

Kids can also help make their costumes. They’ll each need a jingle-bells-on-yarn necklace and an angel headband. Make headbands out of silver garland stapled onto a paper strip. You can wear a bathrobe as a costume.

Putting on the Preschool Christmas Play

Teach children the following songs and program before you invite parents to watch.

Say: We’re going on a special Christmas journey.

Children enter the room and sing to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”

A long, long time ago
An angel came to say,
“Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary,
You will have a babe.”

Knock on the first door, then say: Any room here? Have children respond: No room here.

Then have the children walk to the second door and sing to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”:

Mary went to Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Bethlehem,
Mary went to Bethlehem,
Riding on a donkey.
Joseph went to Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Bethlehem,
Joseph went to Bethlehem,
With his wife Mary.

Knock on the second doo, and say: Any room here? Have children respond: No room here.

Then the children walk to the last door and sing to the tune of “London Bridge”:

Can we come inside your inn?
Come inside, come inside?
Can we come inside your inn
To rest our tired feet?

Open the last door, and have the kids say: There’s room here. Come on in!

Kids ring jingle-bell necklaces and sing to the tune of “Are You Sleeping?”:

Bells are ringing, children singing,
Jesus is born. Jesus is born.
Happy Birthday, Jesus. Happy birthday, Jesus.
We love you. We love you.

Conclude with everyone singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Then serve punch and a birthday cake for Jesus.

Kathy Murphy
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

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