Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Celebrations · The activity desk
Draw your own Christmas gift wrap
Design wrapping paper for a small gift.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A full sheet of plain paper, large child-appropriate crayons, a small box and paper tape
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Lay the paper flat and check that it can wrap around the box. An adult prepares short pieces of tape.
Adult's role: Help wrap the box and use tape. The box can be empty for pretend play.
Let's make it happen
- Draw a repeating pattern of stars, trees or other shapes across the paper.
- Turn the paper over and place the small box in the middle.
- With adult help, fold the paper around the box and secure it with tape. Add a drawn label if you like.
Make it simpler: Draw a few large shapes on a sheet and place it over the box like a cover.
Clean up: Put crayons away and collect loose tape.
Keep tape away from younger children and use a box without sharp edges.