The last week before winter break can be magical… and a little unpredictable in the French classroom. Students are excited, routines get interrupted, and attention spans shrink. That’s exactly why purposeful, high-engagement December French activities are essential. When lessons are festive, structured, and meaningful, it becomes much easier to keep students engaged right up until the final bell.
Whether you teach Core French, French Immersion, or high school French, here are my top engaging December activities for French class that work beautifully during the last week before the holidays.
1. Holiday-Themed Bell Ringers to Keep Students Engaged in December
A predictable routine is a lifesaver during the last week before winter break.
Try December bell ringers such as:
Décris cette image using French Christmas scenes
A daily “mot du jour” from winter or holiday vocabulary
A quick festive question: Qu’est-ce que tu veux recevoir ? or Quelle tradition préfères-tu ?
Mini grammar warm-ups using seasonal examples
These 3–5 minute tasks settle students quickly and help keep students engaged from the moment class starts.
2. High-Interest Readings: Perfect December French Activities
Short, thematic readings are one of the most effective December French activities because they blend culture, comprehension, and vocabulary in a low-stress way.
Some great topics include:
French Christmas traditions
La Saint-Nicolas
Christmas markets in France
Winter in Québec
Holiday foods like la bûche de Noël, le réveillon, or les treize desserts
These readings feel fresh and festive—ideal for the last week before winter break when attention spans are shorter.
3. Noël Vocabulary Games to Keep Students Engaged Before the Holidays
Games are the secret weapon for keeping students engaged in December.
Try easy, no-prep French Christmas games like:
Vocabulary Bingo (Noël edition)
Quizlet Live or Blooket winter themes
Jeu de mémoire with winter vocabulary
Charades de Noël
Holiday-themed “Find Someone Who…”
Students get to move, collaborate, and laugh while still learning—perfect for that tricky week before winter break.
4. Collaborative Posters: A Favorite December French Activity
Collaborative posters are visually appealing, community-building, and incredibly engaging.
Students can research and color sections to create a class poster about:
French Christmas foods
Christmas traditions in the Francophonie
French holiday characters (Saint Nicholas, Père Noël, Père Fouettard)
Winter vocabulary
These activities keep students focused and are ideal for the last week before winter break because they require teamwork and movement.
5. Creative Writing Prompts: Meaningful and Student-Approved
Creative writing is another excellent way to keep students engaged during a busy December week.
Try prompts like:
Write a postcard from a Francophone country describing Christmas there
Describe your ideal French Christmas meal
Create a short dialogue about buying gifts at a French Christmas market
Write about winter traditions in your family using French vocabulary
Creative writing gives structure while letting students express themselves—a perfect balance before the holidays.
6. Virtual Field Trips: A High-Engagement December French Activity
Students LOVE virtual field trips in December.
Take your class on a virtual trip to:
A French Christmas market
A French bakery (La Boulangerie) during the holidays
Montréal or Québec City in winter
This is one of the most effective December French activities because it blends culture with visuals, keeping students engaged even when they’re restless.
7. Low-Prep Review Games for the Last Week Before Winter Break
You can reinforce vocabulary and grammar through fast, fun review games like:
Kahoot holiday edition
Whiteboard races with Noël vocabulary
“This or That?” French holiday version
Snowball toss review (with paper “snowballs”)
“Who Am I?” holiday character guessing game
These activities make review feel festive rather than repetitive.
8. Kindness and Gratitude Activities for a Calm December Classroom
During the excitement of December, kindness-focused tasks help ground students.
Try:
Gratitude prompts in French
Kindness challenge calendars
Writing compliments in French
Creating a class gratitude poster in French
These meaningful activities bring peace and reflection to the last week before winter break.
9. Craft-Based December French Activities (With Language Practice!)
Simple crafts can keep students engaged while still practicing French.
Ideas include:
French Christmas ornaments with writing prompts
Mini-booklets about Noël traditions
Build-your-own holiday sweater writing activity
Color-and-research French traditions templates
Crafts are hands-on and calming, perfect for high-energy days.
Final Thoughts: December French Activities That Truly Keep Students Engaged
The last week before winter break doesn’t have to be chaotic. With high-interest, low-prep December French activities, your students stay motivated, focused, and connected right up until the holidays.
If you need ready-to-use activities, I’ve created:
🎄 French Christmas lessons
🎄 Noël escape games
🎄 Virtual field trips
🎄 Collaborative posters
🎄 Speaking prompts
🎄 Reading comprehension activities
—all designed to help you keep students engaged and make December stress-free.
🎄 Grab your FREE French Christmas cards here — a fun, no-prep way for students to color, write, and spread holiday cheer en français!