This post may contain affiliate links. As a Sheet Music Plus and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means I make a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase something from an affiliate link.
The weeks leading up to the holidays can be such a fun time in the piano studio. Students are excited about the season, and adding a few special activities to lessons can keep them engaged during a busy time of year.
Holiday activities don’t necessarily have to be Christmas-themed, either. Winter themes like snow, hot chocolate, bells, and candy canes can work well for students who celebrate different holidays.
Below are some of my favorite holiday activities for piano students, from simple games and challenges to group classes and seasonal music.
Have a Studio Mascot
I can’t say I’ve totally embraced “Elf on the Shelf,” but my students constantly talk about their elves at home or at school! Bringing a similar idea into the piano studio can be a simple way to add some holiday fun.
You could have an elf in the piano room who “listens” to students play or hide a small snowman somewhere in the studio for students to find each week. You don’t have to make it complicated—a small seasonal character that moves to a new spot can be plenty exciting for younger students.
Have a Challenge for Your Studio
A studio challenge is an easy way to encourage students to work toward a specific goal during December. I’ve used a December Challenge where students complete a certain number of tasks to earn a small prize or reward.
The challenge can last one week, two weeks, or the entire month, and you can customize the tasks based on what your students need to work on.
For example, if you’re working on chord inversions, challenge students to use the correct fingering for three sets of chords. Younger students might complete practice goals, theory activities, or specific pieces.
Some of my favorite small rewards include:
Play a Game
I use fortune tellers in my studio just about every season, and my students love them. They especially enjoy taking turns: I quiz them once, and then they get to quiz me!
I have two Christmas sets for different levels:
Christmas Fortune Tellers – Set 1
Designed for younger students and reviews steps and skips on the staff along with treble and bass clef notes in Middle C position.
Christmas Fortune Tellers – Set 2
For older students, with intervals from 5ths through octaves, major key signatures with sharps, and ledger-line notes.
Use Winter Music Theory Worksheets
Winter-themed worksheets are another easy way to bring the season into lessons without making the activity specifically about Christmas.
For lessons, I like to print the worksheets once and place them in reusable sleeves. Students can complete them with dry-erase markers, which lets me use the same copies over and over.
You can also send a few worksheets home before winter break. This gives students something musical to work on even when their regular lesson schedule is interrupted.
Have a Holiday Group Class
Because most of my teaching is private lessons, I really enjoy giving students opportunities to play together. December is a great time to turn a group class into a small holiday event. If group classes are not included in your tuition, you can charge a small extra fee for the class.
If you have a December recital coming up, students can use the class to practice performing their recital pieces for one another. If you don’t have a recital, invite students to play holiday music, share a simple treat, and play a group music game such as Music Bingo.
A holiday group class doesn’t need to become a huge party. A little seasonal music and one or two special activities can make a regular group class feel festive.
Play Ensemble Music
I originally started making ensemble arrangements for my monthly group classes because I had students of mixed ages and levels playing together.
Students can play melodies or choose from different accompaniment patterns, allowing less experienced and more advanced students to participate in the same piece. It’s also a fun way for students who usually take private lessons to experience making music with other pianists.
Piano Ensemble Music in My Shop
Christmas Ensemble Music — Read more about how I use the arrangements and the different parts available.
Make a Holiday Music List
Encourage students to gather the holiday music they’ve learned in previous years instead of always starting from scratch each December.
I created a simple holiday music list printable where students can write down the pieces they know. It’s fun for students to realize how much seasonal repertoire they’ve accumulated over time.
Having five to ten familiar songs ready to play also gives students an easy way to share their music with family and friends during the holidays.
Have a Holiday Jar Contest
My students love when I have a Candy Jar Contest, and the jar doesn’t actually have to contain candy.
For Halloween one year, I bought a 300-piece puzzle and put about 110 puzzle pieces in the jar. Students guessed how many were inside, and the winner got to keep the entire puzzle.
You could use a similar idea during December with peppermints, small ornaments, erasers, puzzle pieces, or another inexpensive prize. It’s an easy activity because students of all ages can participate without taking much time away from the lesson.
Give a Gift
Student gifts don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. I’ve noticed that children often get just as excited about tiny items!
A chocolate bell, candy cane, music keychain, ornament, sticker, or another small item can be a simple way to wish students a happy holiday before the studio closes for winter break.
If you teach a large number of students, choosing one inexpensive item for everyone also keeps this manageable.
Keep December Simple
You definitely don’t need to do all of these things in one December! Choose one or two ideas that fit naturally into your studio and your existing lesson plans.
A game, challenge, special piece of music, or small surprise can make December lessons feel festive without creating a lot of extra work during an already busy time of year.
Ready to Put It All Together?
Most of my blog posts explore one teaching topic at a time. If you’re looking for a complete first-year teaching roadmap, my course, Beyond the Lesson Book, shows how these concepts fit together across an entire year of beginner piano lessons.
🎹 Explore Beyond the Lesson Book
Lauren teaches piano to students of all ages. She enjoys creating resources for her students and teachers. She is the author of Ready for Theory®. For personalized help, check out the consultations page for teachers.
