Try out these Christmas Songs for Preschoolers
These Christmas songs for preschoolers come with simple actions so kids can sing, move, and burn off some holiday energy without the whole room turning into a full-time trampoline park. You’ll find a few new favorites you can play right now, plus classic songs with easy motions for little hands.
Merry Christmas. That magical time of year when families gather to celebrate love, joy, togetherness, and the ancient holiday chant of “Please don’t climb the tree” every couple of seconds.
If you live with a preschooler, you already know the score: they don’t sing Christmas songs, they perform them. Full body commitment. Zero spatial awareness. Like tiny Broadway stars, except the choreography is “spin wildly” and the wardrobe department is “one mitten and a mysterious candy cane crumb.”
I’m a grown-up now and I still remember doing preschool Christmas songs for my family: big claps, serious head nods, the whole show. My family acted like I’d just won a Tony Award. These days, when I try “Santa coming down the chimney,” my knees sound like bubble wrap.
If you want even more new holiday picks, start here: new Christmas songs.
Quick picks: the fastest wins
- The Christmas Shake (Fun Little Steps) — high energy, easy actions, immediate wiggle conversion
- Reindeer Pokey (Jack Hartmann) — the Hokey Pokey, but festive (and somehow louder)
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas — classic singalong with built-in participation
- The Lights on the Christmas Tree — Wheels on the Bus energy, but holiday edition
- Shake Your Santa Claus Bones — a title that guarantees at least one adult will pause and stare into the distance
Tip: Use search below to jump to a song. Players only load when you open one, so the page stays fast on phones.
Portable speakers, because sanity still exists
Optional. But if you prefer hearing actual music instead of 14 preschoolers singing in different keys while a toy fire truck screams in the background, it’s a surprisingly good upgrade.
The Christmas Shake (get those little feet moving)
A new, high-energy bop that’s perfect for shaking out the wiggles and accidentally elbowing you in the soul at the same time. Pair it with old favorites like “O Christmas Tree” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” or go full chaos mode with the Reindeer Pokey.
Simple actions for little hands
- During the chorus: shake it up when you say “shake.” Preschoolers can do this for an impressive amount of time without water breaks.
- During the break: wave hands like you’re snapping a twig or breaking a candy cane (which someone will attempt immediately).
- During the verses: sway left and right. Then shake again whenever the singer says “shake.” This is basically holiday wiggling and we approve.
Want to keep the page tidy? Open the player when you’re ready — the embed loads on demand.
Bryan — playlist builder, DJ, professional button-finder when scissors disappear
I make lists that work in real rooms. For this one: songs that get kids moving, keep actions simple, and don’t require you to rearrange the furniture like you’re hosting a tiny-humans-only mosh pit.
Songs you can press play on (with actions)
The Christmas Shake
Shake on the chorus, sway on the verses, and do a “break” motion in the break. Simple enough to survive in a living room.
Reindeer Pokey
It’s the Hokey Pokey, but festive. Expect “put your hoof in,” turning around, and someone declaring themselves Santa.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas (with actions)
Classic singalong with built-in participation. The lyrics are basically a polite snack request, which preschoolers respect deeply.
The Lights on the Christmas Tree
Familiar melody, festive twist. Perfect when you want holiday vibes without teaching a brand-new song from scratch.
Shake Your Santa Claus Bones
A lively mover with a title that makes you laugh and then immediately accept that Christmas has gotten a little weird (in a fun way).
More Christmas songs with actions (kid tested, parent approved)
These are the classics that show up every year — and they work because the moves are easy, obvious, and can be done in a very small space without rearranging your furniture.
| Song title | Easy action ideas |
|---|---|
| Santa Claus Is Coming to Town | Pretend binoculars for “He sees you when you’re sleeping,” wag a finger for “better watch out,” and do a big belly mime for “ho, ho, ho.” |
| Jingle Bells | Hand out small bells for the chorus. For verses: hold imaginary reins and trot in place like you’re steering a sleigh. |
| Little Drummer Boy | Tap imaginary drums (or use wooden spoons) on the “pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.” Great for rhythm, questionable for your coffee table. |
| Frosty the Snowman | Pretend to put on a hat, march around the room, then twirl for “alive as he could be.” Warn the couch in advance. |
| Here Comes Santa Claus | Wave like you’re calling Santa down the lane, stomp for the “jingle bells” bits, and point up to the sky when the reindeer get mentioned. |
| If You’re a Kid (Christmas Remix) | Clap, stomp, and mime wrapping a present to the beat. The cutest thing until someone tries to wrap the dog. |
| Up on the Housetop | Crouch low like you’re squeezing through a chimney, then jump up to “reach the top.” Great exercise if you’re four. |
| When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney | Flail arms dramatically, do a big pretend sneeze, then “push” your way out of an imaginary chimney. The more theatrical, the better. |
| Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Point to your nose, mime a sleigh ride, then “fly” with arms out. Safety light strongly encouraged. |
| Must Be Santa | Mime the hat, boots, and beard in a goofy call-and-response. Then prepare for everyone trying to out-Santa each other. |
Check back for updates
This list keeps growing because there are only so many Christmas songs preschoolers will request, and that number is roughly one million. Coming soon: more classics, more action songs, more “sprinkling” motions (kids love making a mess even when there’s nothing to sprinkle), and more ways for little fingers to move while the adults quietly wonder where the day went.
Whether it’s ringing imaginary bells, waving at a star, pretending to ride a reindeer, or trying to do The Christmas Shake without taking out an ornament, it’s basically magic.
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- simple action prompts that keep energy up (and damage low, mostly)
- videos and printables you can use at home or in class
We’re always hunting for more Christmas songs with actions. It’s a sign the holiday cheer is in the air, and also that your living room is about to become a temporary performance venue with very vocal critics.
