Holiday 'Sing-A-Long' Storytime

I wasn't sure if I wanted to do a Holiday Storytime. Of course there are hundreds of Christmas books, a handful of Hanukkah books, and the pickings get slim when it comes the Kwanzza and Eid. So, to incorporate all holidays I decided to do a holiday song sing-a-long. A few winter songs and then a song each for Eid, Hannukah, Kwanzza, and Christmas. After each holiday song, we all said the traditional greeting for that specific holiday:

Eid: Eid Mubarek, Eid Sied! (Blessed Eid, Happy Eid)

Hanukkah: Happy Hanukkah!

Kwanzaa: Habari Gani? (What's the good news?)

Christmas: Merry Christmas!

It was great to see so many people make it out during such a busy season. A perfect way to end the year.

Holiday Sing-A-Long Line-Up:

Frosty the Snowman By Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey

Open with a classic, winter song that everyone knows. Frosty, to this day, is still a crowd pleaser.

This Little Light of Mine Adapted by Raffi, Illustrated by Stacey Schuett

I originally chose this book because this song is occasionally sung during Kwanzaa, but I thought it would make a great opener for all the holiday songs as each holiday uses candles and lights to celebrate. And that along with the celebration of light,  I reminded the kids that a light that shines within each one of them.

Eid Song

By Nancy Sewart, Adapted by Rebecca Dunn

Do you see a crescent moon? (Form a C overhead with one arm)

Do you see a crescent moon?

When you see a crescent moon

We can celebrate Eid

We'll have a party with our friends (Twirl pointer finger)

We'll have a party with our friends

We'll have a party with our friends

and celebrate Eid

We'll decorate with lots of lights (Repeat opening left and right hands)

We'll decorate with lots of lights

We'll decorate with lots of lights

And celebrate Eid

We'll dress up in our brand new cloths (Pat shoulders)

We'll dress up in our brand new clothes

We'll dress up in our brand new clothes

And celebrate Eid

We'll eat our special food together (Pretend to eat)

We'll eat our special food together

We'll eat our special food together

And celebrate Eid

So do you see a crescent moon (Repeat C motion)

Do you see a crescent moon?

When you see a crescent moon

We celebrate Eid

Eid mubarek, Eid sied!

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah Illustrated by Susan L. Roth

A classic song with festive and fun collage work by Susan L. Roth.

Kwanzaa Candle Song

By Gayle Bittinger

Tune: "Farmer in the Dell"

The red candles shine

The red Candles shine

When it's time for Kwanzaa

The red candles shine

The green candles shine

The green candles shine

When it's time for Kwanzaa

The green candles

The black candle shines

The black candle shines

When it's time for Kwanzaa

The black candle shines

The Twelve Days of Christmas Illustrated by Jane Ray

I couldn't resist using this new book after skimming through the illustrations.

My Favorite Things By Rodgers & Hammerstein, Illustrated by Renee Graef

Because storytime and music are two of my favorite things.

Then for the grand finale, I handed out bells to each child and we all sang "Jingle Bells" in it's entirety.

Doorbell/Jingle Bell Craft:

This jingle bell craft was a big hit with the kids. When I was looking for winter crafts last month, I came across this one on pintrest and thought it would be the perfect compliment to my sing-a-long storytime.

With more help from co-workers for recycled supplies, I had all the egg cartons needed for 60 bells. To start, I tore out the dividers (5 per carton), and then trimmed them up if needed. Other supplies included paint, bells, yarn, glitter, and glue.

I painted the egg carton dividers with acrylic paint and let dry. Nothing too precise. And only one coat. Took maybe 45 mins tops to cut and paint them all.

Color!

Next, I tied a string of yarn to a bell.

And made another knot so the bell wouldn't get stuck in the shell.

I don't have a large yarn needle, so I crafted one of my own with a paperclip.

Poked a hole in the top if it didn't already have one and then threaded the yarn through with the needle.

Knotted the top and there you have it.

The threading took the most time, but after a couple it went really quickly.

With a little glue and glitter, the once egg cartons are now festive bells.

I told the kids they could hang their bells from their front door and every time company comes over to celebrate the holidays, the bells will ring. Or they can tie them to their bedroom door and the bells can act as an alarm for when their parents go in their room.

This will be the last storytime post for the year.

Looking forward to seeing everyone for storytime next year!

Happy Holidays!!

image sources: pintrest, frosty the snowman, this little light of mine, hanukkah, twelve days, favorite things