Christmas Poems for Kids: 32 Short, Funny Poems to Read Aloud

Christmas poems for kids should be short, rhyme cleanly and be fun to say out loud. Below are 32 original Christmas poems for kids, written for this page: four-line poems to learn by heart, action rhymes for preschool and kindergarten, poems with parts for a school Christmas show, funny poems, card verses a child can copy, two gentle nativity poems and a simple Christmas acrostic activity.

The poems use everyday words, and most take under a minute to read aloud. There are also four classic poems for kids at Christmas, all in the public domain and checked word for word against old printings. For a poem with your child's name in it, try our free AI poem generator. For grown-up verses and family cards, see our main Christmas poems page.

On this page:

• Short Christmas poems for kids
• Christmas poems for preschoolers and kindergarten
• Christmas poems for school performances
• Funny Christmas poems for kids
• Christmas card verses kids can copy
• Christmas poems about Jesus for kids
• Classic Christmas poems for children
• A Christmas acrostic poem activity
• How to help kids learn and perform a poem

Short Christmas poems for kids

Four lines is a good size for a first poem to learn by heart. These short Christmas poems suit a video call with Grandma, a turn at the dinner table or the last bedtime before Christmas. For snow and snowman poems, see our winter poems.

1. One More Sleep

One more sleep, and then it's here,
The day I wait for all the year!
I'll shut my eyes up good and tight...
Then peek, in case it's morning light.

2. Christmas Eve

Hang the stocking, dim the light,
Close your eyes and say goodnight.
Somewhere high above the snow,
Santa's sleigh is flying low.

3. Our Christmas Tree

Red ball, gold ball, ribbon bow,
Paper chain from high to low,
Twinkle lights and one bright star:
Christmas tree, how fine you are!

4. Gingerbread Boy

Gingerbread with icing hair,
Candy buttons here and there.
Should I eat him? Yes, I should.
Crunch! Oh my, he tastes so good!

5. Lights on Our Street

Blue and silver, green and white,
Every house is dressed in light.
Mom says, "Look!" and Dad says, "Wow!"
Our street is extra twinkly now.

6. Christmas Morning Haiku

Paper on the floor,
a bow stuck on the cat's ear,
the whole house laughing.

This one doesn't rhyme. It is a haiku, a three-line poem traditionally counted in five, seven and five syllables. Clap the syllables together as you read it.

Want a poem about your own child, pet or Christmas wish? The generator writes one from a few words.

Write a Christmas poem for your child

Christmas poems for preschoolers and kindergarten

Little ones learn a poem with their hands and feet. Each of these Christmas poems for preschoolers has an action in brackets, a sound to copy or a number to count, so children can join in long before they know every word. Say each poem slowly and make the actions big.

7. What Do They Say?

Santa says, "Ho, ho, ho!" (pat your tummy)
Reindeer say, "Go, go, go!" (gallop in place)
Elves say, "Tap, tap, tap!" (tap your fists together)
Children give a great big clap! (clap)

8. Jingle Bell Hands

Shake the bells up high, high, high, (hands up)
Jingle them up in the sky.
Shake the bells down low, low, low, (hands down)
Jingle them down in the snow.

Shake them fast and shake them slow, (fast, then slow)
Then hide them. Shh! Now off we go. (hands behind your back, then tiptoe)

9. Little Christmas Tree

I'm a little Christmas tree, (stand tall)
Stretch my branches, look at me! (arms out wide)
Here's the star on top so bright, (hands together above your head)
Here's my twinkle, twinkle light. (open and shut your fingers)

Tuck the presents under me, (point to your feet)
One for you and one for me! (point to a friend, then to yourself)
Wake up, wake up, Christmas Day! (stretch and yawn)
Jump up high and shout hooray! (jump)

10. Five Little Elves

Hold up five fingers and fold one down in each verse.

Five little elves by Santa's door,
One fell asleep, and then there were four.

Four little elves trimmed the Christmas tree,
One fell asleep, and then there were three.

Three little elves made toys brand-new,
One fell asleep, and then there were two.

Two little elves said, "This is fun!"
One fell asleep, and then there was one.

One little elf fell asleep, and then...
No little elves! Let's count again! (hands under your cheek, then five fingers up)

11. Counting Cookies for Santa

One cookie, two cookies, on a plate, (count on your fingers)
Santa will come when it's very late.
Three cookies, four cookies, stars and trees,
And carrots for the reindeer, please!

Five cookies... wait, I count just four! (look puzzled)
Crumbs on my chin? I'll bake some more! (wipe your chin)

12. Reindeer, Reindeer

Reindeer, reindeer, turn around, (turn)
Reindeer, reindeer, touch the ground. (touch the floor)
Reindeer, reindeer, show your nose, (point to your nose)
Reindeer, reindeer, touch your toes. (touch your toes)
Reindeer, reindeer, fly up high, (stretch up on tiptoe)
Reindeer, reindeer, wave goodbye! (wave)

For one more action rhyme, try the Santa Claus finger play in the classic poems below. It comes from a kindergarten book of the 1880s.

Christmas poems for school performances

For a class Christmas show, poems with parts work better than one long poem. Each child learns one or two lines, the whole class says the chorus, and nobody stands alone for long. Practice the "All" lines first so the group sounds strong early on.

13. Our Class Christmas Tree

For 7 speakers and the whole class. Each speaker holds up a paper decoration.

All: Look at our tree! It's bare, oh dear,
And Christmas Day is almost here!

Child 1: I'll hang the lights that blink and glow.
Child 2: I'll tie a ribbon in a bow.
Child 3: I'll hang a bell that rings, ding-dong!
Child 4: I'll hang a paper chain this long! (stretch arms wide)
Child 5: I'll put the presents underneath.
Child 6: I'll hang a tiny holly wreath.
Child 7: And on the top, the star goes... there! (hold the star up high)

All: Merry Christmas, everywhere!

14. Reindeer Roll Call

For 9 speakers: Santa and eight reindeer. The reindeer step forward one at a time. In a small group, one child can play two reindeer.

Santa: The sleigh is packed, the night is clear.
Now, reindeer! Tell me: are you here?

Dasher: I'm Dasher! I can zoom and zip.
Dancer: I'm Dancer! Watch me spin and skip.
Prancer: I'm Prancer! I can lift my knees.
Vixen: I'm Vixen! I don't mind the freeze.
Comet: I'm Comet! I can fly so far.
Cupid: I'm Cupid! I know every star.
Donner: I'm Donner! I can pull a ton.
Blitzen: I'm Blitzen! Racing's lots of fun!

Santa: Then hold on tight! Away we fly!
All: Merry Christmas from the sky!

15. What's That Sound? (an echo poem)

For a leader and any number of children, who repeat each line straight back. There is almost nothing to learn.

Leader: I hear a bell.
All: I hear a bell!
Leader: Out in the snow.
All: Out in the snow!
Leader: It's getting near...
All: It's getting near!
Leader: Ho, ho, ho!
All: Ho, ho, ho!

Leader: I hear a thump.
All: I hear a thump!
Leader: Up on the roof.
All: Up on the roof!
Leader: Was that a boot?
All: Was that a boot?
Leader: Or was it a hoof?
All: Or was it a hoof?

Leader: I hear a creak.
All: I hear a creak!
Leader: Down by the tree.
All: Down by the tree!
Leader: Is it Santa?
All: Is it Santa?
Leader: No... it's me!
All: No... it's me! (everyone points to themselves)

16. Interview with an Elf

For two performers. It suits older kids and middle school. A toy microphone helps.

Reporter: Excuse me, Elf, a word or two?
What does an elf at Christmas do?

Elf: I paint the trains, I sand the sleds,
I stuff the bears and brush their heads.

Reporter: And do you ever get a rest?
Elf: December twenty-sixth. It's best.

Reporter: What job is hardest, would you say?
Elf: I wrapped a tuba once. All day.

Reporter: And what's your boss like? Is he kind?
Elf: The kindest boss you'll ever find.
He only shouts one word a year.
Reporter: What is it?
Elf: (leaning in) HO!
Reporter: Ow, my ear!

Reporter: Thanks, Elf! And now, back to the show.
Elf: (running off) Sorry! Ten thousand bows to go!

Staging tips for teachers:

• Give every speaker a prop: a paper star, a bell, antlers on a headband. It gives nervous hands something to do.
• Line speakers up left to right in the order they speak, so each child sees their turn coming.
• Ask for the "All" lines a little louder than feels natural. Small voices get lost in a big hall.
• If a child freezes, a buddy whispers the first two words. The rhyme usually brings back the rest.

Funny Christmas poems for kids

Kids love a poem with a twist at the end. Read these funny Christmas poems slowly, and pause before the last line so the joke can land. The last two suit older kids and middle school. For more giggles, see our funny poems.

17. No Peeking

There's a box with my name and a big purple bow.
"No peeking!" says Mom. And I promise. I know.

But I gave it a shake, and it rattled. Oh, my!
Is it marbles? A robot? A train? Or a pie?

I'll wait until Christmas. I will. Yes, I will.
I'll just sit right beside it. Right here. Very still.

18. The Cat Who Trimmed the Tree

We put up the tree, and we hung every ball,
Then our cat took one look, and she climbed it. That's all.
Now the star's on the floor, and the tinsel is too,
And the cat's on the top. (She's the angel. It's true.)

19. All the Socks

I asked for a robot, a rocket, a drum,
A puppy, a pony, a big bag of gum.
I opened my presents. And what did I get?
Some socks. Then more socks. Then... more socks. (I'm upset.)

But Grandma says socks keep my toes warm and snug,
So I put on all ten pairs and gave her a hug.

20. Dear Santa, I Can Explain

Dear Santa, I've been very good.
(Well, mostly. As good as I could.)

The frog in the bath was a guest,
And the cookies? I just did a test.

The mud on the rug? That was Rover.
So please, can we call it a do-over?

P.S. I'll be extra good soon.
(I'll start on the fifth of next June.)

21. The Chimney Sneeze

Our chimney's so small, it is true,
That Santa got stuck halfway through.
We tugged on his boot,
He sneezed out some soot,
And he blew himself out with "ACHOO!"

That's a limerick: five lines, where lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme and the two short middle lines rhyme with each other. Older kids can try writing one about an elf or a reindeer.

22. Some Assembly Required

It said on the box, "Some assembly required."
Dad said, "Easy!" and worked till his fingers were tired.
At midnight he finished (with six screws to spare),
And at sunrise on Christmas, my bike was a chair.

Christmas card verses kids can copy

A homemade card means the most in a child's own wobbly letters. These two-line verses use short, easy words, so a five- or six-year-old can copy them with a little help. Add the child's name at the bottom and a drawing on the front.

23. For Grandma and Grandpa

I made this card with lots of glue,
And lots of love, all just for you!

24. For My Teacher

You taught me lots of things this year.
Merry Christmas, Teacher dear!

25. For a Friend

Snow days, sled rides, cocoa too:
Christmas is more fun with you!

26. For Mom and Dad

I love you more than falling snow,
More than Santa's "Ho, ho, ho!"

27. For Santa (to leave with the cookies)

Dear Santa, have a cookie (or three).
Please leave some crumbs, so I can see!

28. Christmas and a New Year

Merry Christmas, and then, look:
A brand-new year, like a brand-new book!

Older kids can write their own card verse with the same pattern: one line about the person, one line with the Christmas wish.

Christmas poems about Jesus for kids

For Christian families and Sunday school classes looking for Christmas poems for kids, here are two gentle nativity poems. They tell the Christmas story in simple words and fit a children's church program or a bedtime prayer. For more, including poems for church readings and cards, see our religious Christmas poems.

29. In a Stable, Warm with Hay

In a stable, warm with hay,
Baby Jesus softly lay.
Mary sang him lullabies,
Stars were twinkling in the skies.

Shepherds left their sheep to see
Who this little child could be.
Angels sang, and from afar
Wise men followed one bright star.

30. A Christmas Thank You

Thank you for the snow so white,
Thank you for the candlelight,
Thank you for the baby small,
Sleeping in a stable stall.
Thank you, God, for Christmas Day,
And the love it brings our way.

Classic Christmas poems for children

These old rhymes are in the public domain, so you are free to print and share them. We checked each one word for word against the edition on Project Gutenberg and kept the old spelling and punctuation. The three Mother Goose rhymes are from The Real Mother Goose (1916).

Little Jack Horner (Mother Goose)

Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating of Christmas pie:
He put in his thumb,
And pulled out a plum,
And said, "What a good boy am I!"

"Eating of" is an old way of saying "eating". Little ones like acting it out with a real thumb and a pretend plum.

Christmas Is Coming (Mother Goose)

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat,
Please to put a penny in an old man's hat;
If you haven't got a penny a ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny, God bless you.

A ha'penny (halfpenny) was an old British coin worth half a penny. The rhyme is a good way to talk with children about giving at Christmas.

Christmas Comes but Once a Year (Mother Goose)

Christmas comes but once a year,
And when it comes it brings good cheer.

At two lines, it is the easiest classic for the youngest child to say, or to copy inside a card.

Santa Claus (a finger play by Emilie Poulsson)

This action rhyme is from Emilie Poulsson's Finger Plays for Nursery and Kindergarten (her preface is dated 1889). The moves from the book: clap through the first and last verses. For the reindeer, point the fingers of both hands down and link your thumbs. Hang four fingers down for the stockings, stack one fist on the other for the chimney, and poke a thumb up out of the top fist for Santa.

O, clap, clap the hands,
And sing out with glee
For Christmas is coming
And merry are we!

Now swift o'er the snow
The tiny reindeer
Are trotting and bringing
Good Santa Claus near.

Our stockings we'll hang,
And while we're asleep
Then down through the chimney
Will Santa Claus creep.

He'll empty his pack,
Then up he will come
And, calling his reindeer,
Will haste away home.

Then clap, clap the hands!
And sing out with glee,
For Christmas is coming
And merry are we!

"O'er" means "over", and "haste" means "hurry".

For older children ready for a longer story poem, read "A Visit from St. Nicholas" ("The Night Before Christmas") together on Christmas Eve. It was first printed in the Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823, and our narrative poems page sums up the story.

A Christmas acrostic poem activity

An acrostic poem hides a word down the left side: the first letters of the lines spell it out. It makes an easy Christmas activity at home or in class, because the word gives every line a starting point. Younger children can dictate their lines to you.

31. SANTA (a rhyming acrostic)

Sleigh bells ring across the sky,
All the reindeer flying by,
North Pole elves have packed the toys,
Time for bed, you girls and boys!
And in the morning... what a noise!

32. GIFT (an acrostic that doesn't rhyme)

Green paper, red bow,
I shake it very gently,
Fingers itching to open it,
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!

How to write a Christmas acrostic, step by step

1. Pick a short Christmas word. Three to five letters is plenty for a first try: ELF, STAR, GIFT, BELL, TREE or SANTA. Older kids can try CHRISTMAS or their own name.
2. Write the word down the left side of the page, one big letter per line.
3. Brainstorm. For each letter, list Christmas words that start with it. Use the word bank below if you get stuck.
4. Write one line for each letter. A line can be one word or a whole sentence, and it doesn't have to rhyme.
5. Read it aloud, then decorate it. Color in the first letters and add a drawing or stickers.

Letter	Christmas words to start a line
A	angel, apple, asleep, awake
B	bells, bows, boots, baking
E	elves, evergreen, excited, evening
F	family, fireplace, frosty, fun
G	gifts, gingerbread, glitter, green
I	icicles, icing, "I can't wait!"
L	lights, list, letters, laughing
N	night, North Pole, nice, noisy
R	reindeer, red, ribbons, roof
S	Santa, sleigh, stocking, star
T	tree, toys, tinsel, treats

For more ideas, our guide shows how to write an acrostic poem in four steps. If a child wants to see a draft first, the acrostic generator can write one for any Christmas word or name.

Make a Christmas acrostic poem, free

How to help kids learn and perform a Christmas poem

Pick a poem that fits the child's age, then learn it in small pieces. Every child is different, so treat this table as a starting point.

Age	Good length	Try these
2 to 3	4 lines with actions	What Do They Say?, Jingle Bell Hands
4 to 5 (preschool and kindergarten)	4 to 10 lines with counting or actions	Five Little Elves, Counting Cookies for Santa, Reindeer, Reindeer
6 to 8	4 to 12 lines, funny or with a little story	One More Sleep, No Peeking, Dear Santa, I Can Explain
9 to 13 (older kids and middle school)	Limericks and two-person scripts	The Chimney Sneeze, Interview with an Elf, Some Assembly Required

• Learn two lines a day. Add the next pair only when the first pair comes easily. A four-line poem is ready in two days, an eight-line poem in four.
• Give every line a movement. Even without set actions, a child can point, nod or count on their fingers.
• Let them finish the rhyme. Read a line and stop before the last word. The rhyme makes it easy to guess.
• Play with voices. Say it in a whisper, like a robot or like a giant, so practice feels like a game.
• On the day, slow down. Nervous kids speed up. Tell them to speak to the person in the last row and wait for the laugh after a funny line.

FAQs

What is a good Christmas poem for a kindergartner to memorize?

Choose one that is four to ten lines long with actions or counting, like "Five Little Elves" or "Reindeer, Reindeer" above. The actions carry the words, and the repeated lines mean there is less to learn than it looks.

How long should a child's poem be for a school Christmas program?

For a solo by a child under seven, four to eight lines is plenty. Group poems can be longer, because each child says only one or two lines and the class shares the chorus. Most poems on this page take under a minute to perform.

Can I use these poems in a school program, newsletter or card?

Yes. The 32 original poems on this page were written for this site, and you are welcome to use them in class, in a school show, in a newsletter or inside a card. The classic rhymes are in the public domain.

How do I help a shy child say a poem in front of people?

Start with a group poem, where they speak with friends, like the echo poem "What's That Sound?". Let them hold a prop, stand next to a buddy and practice in front of one or two family members first.