Christmas and kids are the best combination of the whole year. The excitement that builds from December first. The absolute certainty that Santa is on his way. The inability to sleep on Christmas Eve no matter how hard they try. These poems were written for all of that.
These 71 Christmas poems for kids are fun rhyming and full of the magic that makes this time of year so special for little ones. Read them together at bedtime use them for school plays or just enjoy them on a cold December evening with a hot chocolate in hand.
Short Christmas Poems for Kids
Quick and cheerful poems that are easy to remember and even easier to love. Perfect for Christmas cards, classroom displays or reading out loud before bed.
1. December Is Here
December is here with its cold and its cheer,
the most magical month of the whole entire year.
The lights are all twinkling, the tree is all bright,
and Christmas is coming to fill us with delight.
2. Jingle All the Way
Jingle jingle, bells are ringing,
everywhere there is joy and singing.
Tinsel shining, stockings hung,
Christmas songs on every tongue.
3. Snowflakes
Snowflakes fall without a sound,
covering everything in white on the ground.
Each one different, each one small,
but together they make winter for all.
4. The Christmas Tree
We dragged the tree in from outside,
it barely fit through the door.
We hung the baubles one by one
and dropped a few on the floor.
5. Hot Chocolate
Wrap your hands around the mug,
feel the warmth come creeping through.
Hot chocolate in December
is what winter was made to do.
6. Counting Down
One more week, then six more days,
then four, then three, then two.
I have been counting every morning
and Christmas is almost through!
7. Christmas Smell
Cinnamon and pine and sweet,
gingerbread and Christmas treat.
Every smell that fills the air
tells me Christmas time is there.
8. Mittens
My mittens are red and my scarf is too,
my boots are brown and my coat is blue.
All wrapped up and ready to go,
out to play in the sparkling snow.
9. Christmas Lights
Red and gold and green and white,
Christmas lights are on tonight.
Blinking softly, shining bright,
filling winter with their light.
10. Christmas Everywhere
Christmas is in the smell of the air.
Christmas is in the songs everywhere.
Christmas is in the glow of the street.
Christmas is in the people we meet.
11. Best Day
Of all the days that come and go,
of all the days I love and know,
the very best one in the year
is when Christmas morning is finally here.
12. The Star
Right up at the top of the tree
the shining gold star looks down at me.
It watches over every gift
and gives my heart a little lift.
Funny Christmas Poems for Kids
The ones that make kids snort with laughter. Silly rhymes about sprouts, chaotic elves, noisy families and the absolute nightmare of trying to sleep on Christmas Eve.
13. Brussels Sprouts
There is one thing about Christmas dinner
that ruins it every year.
A small green ball of total disgust
that nobody wants near.
The sprout sits there and stares at me.
I stare right back and say:
no amount of Christmas magic
will make me eat you today.
14. The Elf on the Shelf
The elf is watching, the elf sees all,
he saw me slide down the upstairs hall.
He saw me steal a biscuit or three.
Oh no. I really hope he did not see.
15. Christmas Jumper
Mum bought me a jumper with a dancing bear.
It lights up and plays a tune.
I have to wear it to Nan’s for lunch.
I am not leaving until June.
16. The Big Sneeze
I tried to be good, I really did try,
but then I sneezed and the tinsel flew by.
It wrapped around Dad and knocked off his hat.
The cat got involved. That was the end of that.
17. Christmas Morning Hair
I leapt out of bed at half past five,
the most excited child alive.
Then I saw the photo Dad took of me.
My hair looked like a Christmas tree.
18. Santa’s Diet
Santa eats cookies in every house.
One here. One there. Quiet as a mouse.
By the time he reaches house number eight
I think Santa might be running quite late.
19. The Present Shaker
I did not shake the presents.
Well. Only a few.
The small wrapped one in the corner
went rattle rattle woo.
I have no idea what it is.
Definitely not a clue.
20. Wrapping Paper
Dad wrapped the present with ten rolls of tape.
Getting into it is quite the escape.
By the time I was through
and the gift was in sight
my arms were completely exhausted.
Goodnight.
21. The Christmas Argument
We argued about the tree lights again.
Left or right, which way do they go?
We argued for forty-five minutes straight.
The tree stood watching. It knows.
22. Reindeer Traffic
Nine reindeer landing on every roof.
That is a lot of hoof.
I wondered how Santa handles the noise.
Then I looked at my pile of Christmas toys.
23. The Shopping List
I wrote Santa a list in November.
It was four and a half pages long.
Mum read it and gave me a look.
She said something may have gone wrong.
Santa Poems for Kids
The man himself. The beard. The belly. The magic sack. These poems celebrate Santa in all his jolly glory and are perfect for any child who still believes and every adult who never quite stopped.
24. Santa Is Coming
He is loading the sleigh at the top of the world,
with presents all wrapped and ribbons all curled.
The reindeer are ready, the elves gave a cheer,
Santa is coming and Christmas is here.
25. The Big Red Coat
A big red coat and a big white beard,
a laugh so loud it could always be heard.
He knows all our names and where we all live.
The most generous man who ever did give.
26. Dear Santa
Dear Santa I have been mostly good.
I tidied my room when I knew that I should.
I shared with my sister on most of the days.
I hope that is good enough to deserve your praise.
27. The Milk and Cookies
We left out the cookies, we left out the milk,
a carrot for Rudolph as smooth as silk.
In the morning the plate was completely bare.
Santa had been. He had actually been there.
28. How Does He Do It
How does he visit each house in one night?
How does he squeeze down chimneys so tight?
How does he know every girl and every boy?
The answer is magic and Christmas and joy.
29. Santa’s Workshop
Deep in the north where the snowflakes fall thick,
the elves are all busy and building up quick.
Hammers are hammering, paintbrushes too,
all of it made with love just for you.
30. Santa Saw Me
I tried to stay up and catch Santa last night.
I sat by the window and turned off the light.
I lasted till nine and then fell fast asleep.
When I woke up the presents were stacked in a heap.
31. The Naughty List
I heard about the naughty list.
I heard it has my name.
I would like to say in my defence
the cat was mostly to blame.
32. Santa’s Favourite Night
Of all the nights in all the year
the one he loves the best
is Christmas Eve when the world goes quiet
and children finally rest.
33. Thank You Santa
Thank you Santa for finding our house.
Thank you for coming as quiet as a mouse.
Thank you for every gift big and small.
But most of all thank you for coming at all.
34. Santa’s Secret
Santa has a secret he will not share.
How does he know we are everywhere?
I asked him once when I met him in town.
He winked at me and adjusted his crown.
Reindeer Poems for Kids
Dasher Dancer Prancer Vixen and of course a certain red-nosed reindeer who gets his own spotlight. These poems give the whole team the appreciation they deserve.
35. Nine of Them
Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen.
And leading them all through the cold starry night,
Rudolph the red nose shining so bright.
36. Rudolph’s Big Night
They laughed at his nose all through the year.
Then came the fog and then came the fear.
Santa looked up and said Rudolph my dear,
tonight you will lead us. Your moment is here.
37. Prancer the Show-Off
Prancer is the fanciest reindeer of all.
He does little jumps when he runs down the hall.
He knows he looks good and he loves every minute.
Every reindeer race? Prancer is in it.
38. Dasher
Dasher is fastest of all the nine,
he zooms through the sky like a shooting star line.
If ever the sleigh is running too late
Dasher picks up the speed and they make it on straight.
39. The Reindeer Team
They work as a team on Christmas night.
Each one pulling with all of their might.
Together they carry the gifts round the earth.
Together they bring all the joy and the mirth.
40. Rudolph at School
If Rudolph went to school with me
I think that he would find
that noses come in every kind
and different is just fine.
41. Blitzen the Brave
Blitzen flies last on the left of the line.
Through storms and through snowflakes he does just fine.
Brave in the blizzard and strong through the night,
Blitzen makes sure every gift arrives right.
42. The Carrot
We left a carrot for Rudolph last night,
the biggest and crunchiest one in sight.
Come morning the carrot was eaten right through.
That nose must take a lot of energy too.
43. Flying High
Up and up and up they go,
over the rooftops covered in snow.
Higher than birds and higher than planes,
Santa’s reindeer never complain.
44. Rest Time
On December the twenty-sixth
the reindeer all sleep in.
They have earned every single hour
and then they sleep again.
Christmas Morning Poems for Kids
The moment they have been waiting for. Eyes snapping open before the sun is even up. Running down the stairs. Seeing the tree covered in presents. These poems are for that electric Christmas morning feeling.
45. Eyes Wide Open
My eyes flew open. Was it time?
I checked the clock. Half past nine.
Wait. That cannot be right.
I mean half past five. Still night.
46. The Stairs
I crept to the top of the stairs and looked down.
The tree was all lit in its glowing bright crown.
And there at the bottom a mountain of gifts.
My heart gave the biggest of all Christmas lifts.
47. Christmas Morning Chaos
Paper is flying. Ribbons are curled.
Someone is shouting across the whole world.
The dog has a bow stuck right on his head.
Nobody has eaten. Nobody’s been fed.
It is loud and it’s messy and perfectly mad.
Best Christmas morning we’ve ever had.
48. The Best Gift
I opened the big one. I opened the small.
I opened the oddly shaped one by the wall.
But the best gift I got on this bright Christmas morn
was the hug from my family, all cosy and warm.
49. Too Early
Mum said do not wake us before seven.
I woke them at six. Close enough. Nearly even.
Dad made a noise and pulled the blanket tight.
He came downstairs eventually. Eventually. Right.
50. The Stocking
The stocking was heavy, I pulled it down slow.
Inside there were wonders I wanted to know.
A chocolate, a puzzle, a yo-yo, a pen,
and right at the toe end a tangerine. Again.
51. Christmas Breakfast
Nobody cooks on Christmas morn.
We eat what we find.
A biscuit, a chocolate, a leftover thing.
Mum does not seem to mind.
52. Wrapping Paper Mountain
By nine in the morning the floor had disappeared
beneath a great mountain of wrapping.
The cat had gone in and not yet come out.
We could hear it in there, still scrabbling about.
53. This Is It
This is the morning I dreamed of all year.
This is the morning that finally is here.
The lights and the laughter and love all around.
Christmas morning is the most magical sound.
54. Back to Bed
By noon I was done and I crawled back to bed,
full of chocolate and happiness right to my head.
Christmas is wonderful that much is true.
But napping on Christmas day is wonderful too.
Christmas Eve Poems for Kids
The most exciting night of the whole year. The night when sleep feels impossible and every sound might just be reindeer hooves on the roof. These poems capture the magic of waiting for Christmas to finally arrive.
55. Christmas Eve Night
Tonight is the night the magic begins.
Tonight is the night the excitement wins.
I cannot sleep and I cannot stay still.
Christmas Eve gives me the most wonderful thrill.
56. Was That a Sound
Was that a sound on the roof just now?
A jingle? A clatter? A ho-ho-how?
I pulled up my covers and stared at the ceiling.
Christmas Eve gives me the most peculiar feeling.
57. Leaving the Cookies Out
We set out the cookies. We set out the milk.
We wrote Santa a note on paper smooth as silk.
We said we had been good this year
which was mostly not a lie.
Then we all went to bed
and hoped for the best.
Goodbye.
58. The Longest Night
Christmas Eve is the longest night.
Longer than any other.
I checked the clock at eight o clock.
I checked again. Another.
Nine o clock. Nine fifteen.
Nine seventeen. Nine more.
I give up. I will never sleep.
I have never been so sure.
59. Almost Time
The stockings are hung. The fire is low.
Outside the garden is covered in snow.
The house is all quiet. The children are still.
Christmas Eve magic is working its fill.
60. One Sleep Away
One sleep away. That is all.
One sleep between now and the presents in the hall.
I will close my eyes and try my best.
One sleep. Just one.
Come on, rest.
61. The Night Before
Not a creature was stirring.
Well. Almost not one.
I crept to the landing to see if he’d come.
The tree blinked and glittered.
The stockings hung there.
I went back to bed.
I thought I heard something.
Maybe.
62. Reindeer on the Roof
I heard them I did.
A clatter, a scrape.
Four hooves then eight hooves
then more as they wait.
I squeezed my eyes tight
and pretended to sleep.
Christmas was standing
right outside my room.
Not a peep.
63. Goodnight Christmas Eve
Goodnight to the stockings.
Goodnight to the tree.
Goodnight to the magic
that’s waiting for me.
Close your eyes gently.
Let Christmas come near.
The morning is coming.
It will soon be here.
64. Finally Asleep
Finally the eyes closed.
Finally the breath slowed.
Finally the wiggling stopped
and the little one slept.
And down in the quiet
while nobody stirred,
the magic of Christmas
kept every promise it had ever made.
65. The Dream
I dreamed of the sleigh crossing over the moon.
I dreamed of the bells and a jolly old tune.
I dreamed of the reindeer and Rudolph’s red glow.
I dreamed and I dreamed through the cold and the snow.
66. Christmas Is Almost Here
The clock on the wall ticks closer to dawn.
A few more slow hours and night will be gone.
A few more slow minutes and morning will break.
Hold on just a little. Stay patient. Stay awake.
Almost.
Almost.
Christmas is here.
67. Santa’s Journey
Right now he is flying above other lands.
Right now tiny gifts are in tiny wrapped hands.
Right now he is closer. Right now he is near.
Right now is the night we have waited all year.
68. Tuck In
Tuck in your toes and close your eyes tight.
Santa needs stillness to land on tonight.
The quieter you are the sooner he’ll come.
Go to sleep little one.
Christmas is almost done waiting for you.
69. The Magic Hour
There is one magic hour when Christmas is born,
the hour between late night and early morn.
When the world holds its breath
and the stars hold their light.
That is the hour.
That is the night.
70. Morning Will Come
Morning will come. It always does.
Morning will bring what everyone loves.
So sleep now. Rest now. Dream of it all.
Christmas morning is waiting
just down the hall.
71. Goodnight
Goodnight little one.
Goodnight Christmas tree.
Goodnight to the magic
that’s coming for me.
Tomorrow is Christmas.
Tonight I will dream.
Goodnight to the best night
this year has ever seen.
Final Thoughts
Christmas through the eyes of a child is something worth holding onto. Read these poems together, act them out, stick them on the fridge or tuck one into a Christmas card. The magic of Christmas lives in the small moments and a poem is one of the best ways to keep it alive.