The holiday season is a wonderful time to create lasting memories with your kindergarten students. As teachers, we often like to have students create a special gift to take home for their families. With everything else going on this time of year, it can seem like just one more thing to do, but I’m here to help! One simple and meaningful activity you can do is to create a Ribbon Height Christmas Ornament. This sweet activity enables students to create a meaningful gift and ends up being a fun classroom activity!
Here’s everything you need to know about creating these special ornaments in your classroom!
Why Create Ribbon Height Christmas Ornaments?
This simple ornament activity combines hands-on fun with heartfelt memories, making it a perfect addition to your holiday activities. Measuring each child’s height with ribbon turns the project into an interactive math experience while also creating a sentimental keepsake that families will cherish for years. Plus, it’s simple to send home, offering families a meaningful reminder of their child’s kindergarten journey.
Materials Needed to Make Ribbon Height Ornaments
- Ribbon for the height measurement and to string onto the top of the ornaments – any color you’d like, but festive reds, greens, or golds work well for the holidays! I use a thicker ribbon for the height measurement and a thin ribbon for creating the loop at the top
- Clear plastic shatterproof ornaments (I recommend these)
- Fine-tip permanent markers
- Cardstock
- A printed poem or note to explain the keepsake’s significance (here’s a printable one)
- (Optional) White paper bags and tissue paper to wrap the ornaments
Remember: Some students might want to make two ornaments based on their family structure. Be prepared with extra supplies if this is the case for any of your students.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Measure Each Child’s Height
Have each student stand tall and use a piece of ribbon to measure their height. Cut the ribbon to match the height of each child (and place it in a bag labeled with their name if they’re not being added to the ornaments immediately).
2. Place the Ribbon Inside the Ornament
Carefully roll or fold the ribbon and place it inside the clear ornament. You might need to help students with this, as it can be a little tricky.
3. Seal and Label the Ornament
Close the ornament carefully with the height ribbon inside. I’d suggest writing the student’s name or initials on the bottom of the ornament with a permanent marker, just to ensure it ends up going home with the correct student!
4. Attach a Poem or Note
Attach a sweet poem to help parents understand the keepsake. You can create your own, or use a template like this one from my TPT store.
Note: You can print on cardstock and have students cut out the shape. I like to layer them by printing the poem on white cardstock, gluing it on a piece of red or green cardstock, and then cutting it out again with a border. Totally optional (and a little “extra”😅), but it makes a neat effect!
5. Wrap the Ornaments
Students can decorate and write their name on a paper bag, then carefully wrap the ornament and take it home!
Ways to Extend the Activity
Incorporating this activity into a holiday lesson can make learning even more fun! After creating the ribbon height Christmas ornaments, here are a few ideas for extending learning:
- Measuring Concepts: Before making the ornaments, use ribbon to teach measurement concepts. Talk about height, length, and even compare students’ ribbons to explore “taller than” and “shorter than” concepts.
- Writing Prompts: Have students write or dictate a sentence about what they enjoy doing during the holiday season
- Holiday Read Alouds: A good read aloud is the perfect tie-in for any number of classroom activities!
Ribbon Height Christmas Ornaments are a Gift from the Heart!
A Ribbon Height Ornament is an easy, memorable project that captures a moment in time. This project is affordable and fairly easy to prep, making it a great addition to any kindergarten holiday celebration. Plus, these ornaments are a beautiful way to connect home and school during the holiday season. Families will treasure these for years to come!
