Looking for Christmas poems for kids? These festive rhymes are great for sharing with your kids or students this holiday season. Including five as free printables, too!
Sharing Christmas poems with your kids is an easy and inexpensive way to get into the holiday spirit.
Kids can choose a poem to read aloud or memorize, or parents can recite these poems as a fun family activity.
Christmas poems, as well as candy cane poems, also make great additions to advent calendars, or can be printed out and used as gift tags!
So, today, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas poems for kids.
For some of these poems, I’m also sharing a free printable that you can print out and read as a family.
You can also use these printable poems as gift tags and attach them to a candy cane or gift!
If you’re looking for a more meaningful, memorial poem to remember a loved one, these Christmas poems from Heaven may be a better choice. We also have Bedtime Poems for Kids to make a part of your nightly bedtime routine.
These poems, along with these Christmas Books for Toddlers, will help you and your child make the most of the holiday season.
How to Print Free Printables
These printables are sized to 8.5×11, and you can print them directly from your home computer.
Just click the link that takes you to the google drive file, download the file to your computer, and print.
You can also print these at your favorite professional printer. I like and use walgreens, staples, costco and snapfish.
If using as a gift tag or card, simply resize the file and print.
Let’s get started!
Christmas Poems for Kids
Christmas Poems for Younger Kids
Chubby Little Snowman Printable
A Chubby Little Snowman
A chubby little snowman
Had a carrot nose.
Along came a bunny,
And what do you suppose?
That hungry little bunny
Looking for some lunch,
Grabbed that snowman’s nose,
Nibble, nibble, crunch!
-Anonymous
The Day Before Christmas
We have been helping with the cake,
And licking out the pan,
And wrapping up our packages,
As neatly as we can.
We have hung our stockings up,
Beside the open grate.
And now there’s nothing more to do,
Except
To
Wait.
-Anonymous
The Funniest Face
The funniest face
looked out at me
From a silver ball
On the Christmas Tree!
At first I thought
It was Santa’s elf,
But I looked again and
It was just myself!
-Anonymous
Christmas Bells
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A Ride With Santa
I wish that dear old Santa
Would take me for a ride;
I’d like to drive his reindeer
And sit by Santa’s side.
I’d like to help old Santa
Find all the girls and boys,
So each one might be happy
With Christmas books and toys.
Jingle, jingle, jingle,
Christmas toys we’d bring;
Jingle, jingle, jingle,
How the bells would ring!
-Ovie Pedige Tanner
I’ve been Waiting for Christmas
I’ve been waiting for Christmas,
And it’s almost here.
I’ve been waiting for Christmas,
Santa’s getting near.
Can’t you hear the sleigh bells ringing?
Reindeer up so high.
Can’t you hear the children singing,
As they watch the sky?
-anonymous
Snowball
I made myself a snowball,
As perfect as could be,
I thought I’d keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.
I made it some pyjamas,
And a pillow for its head.
Then last night it ran away,
But first, it wet the bed!
-Shel Silverstein
Five Little Christmas Trees
Five little Christmas trees standing all alone
Their hearts were very sad ’cause they hadn’t found a home.
Then chop went the ax
And down fell a tree
And off it went with a happy family.
Four little Christmas trees standing all alone
Their hearts were very sad ’cause they hadn’t found a home.
Then chop went the ax
And down fell a tree
And off it went with a happy family.
Dance Like Snowflakes (sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques”)
Dance like snowflakes,
Dance like snowflakes,
In the air.
In the air.
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Whirling, twirling, snowflakes,
Here and there.
Here and there.
Christmas Bells (sung to the tune of “Do You Know the Muffin Man”)
Do you hear the Christmas bells,
The Christmas bells, the Christmas bells?
Do you hear the Christmas bells
That ring out loud and clear
Can you see our Christmas tree,
Our Christmas tree, our Christmas tree?
Can you see our Christmas tree
It fills our room with cheer.
Do you smell the gingerbread,
The gingerbread, the gingerbread?
Do you smell the gingerbread
I’m glad Christmas is here.
Christmas Poems for Older Kids
The Christmas Poem
God chose Mary to hear the Baby,
For she had no sin.
When she and Joseph got to Bethlehem,
There was no room at the inn.
Christ was born in a stable
And lay on some hay.
He had a ring above His head
A bright array.
Some shepherds – on that long-ago date –
Were watching their flocks by night
When out of the heavens came an angel
And a glorious light.
The angel told them where
The newborn King was laid.
So the shepherds hurried to the spot
And there their homage paid.
Three Wise Men searched the sky one night
And came across a brand-new star.
“A King!” they said,
So they started from afar.
Myrrh, frankincense, and gold
Were the gifts beside Him laid.
They bowed their heads,
And they prayed.
– Nancy Hartwell
Writing a Letter to Santa
I’m writing a letter to Santa,
To tell him I’ve been oh-so-good.
I’ve been such a sweet little angel,
And done all the things I should.
Well, maybe not quite all the things I should,
Like doing my homework after school.
And there may have a time or two,
Where I broke the Golden Rule.
There’s that time I smashed the window,
‘Cause I was playing ball inside.
I knew my mom would be mad,
So I ran away to hide.
I also yanked my sister’s pigtails.
I pulled them so hard she cried.
I got grounded a week for that stunt,
Although a couple times I snuck outside.
Okay, maybe I haven’t been perfect,
But, Santa, I swear that I’ve tried.
I promise if you give me a break this year,
Next year I’ll get on your good side.
-Kelly Roper
Greatest Gift of All Printable
The Greatest Gift of All
The greatest gift
Given long ago
Wasn’t wrapped in paper
Or tied with a bow
God’s only Son
From heaven above
Given to us
Straight from His love
Lest we forget
Please hold on tight
To the great truth
Brought on that night
His gift for love
For all to receive
The gift of salvation
To those who believe.
-Jennie Munson
The Twelve Days of Christmas
The first day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.
The second day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The third day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The fourth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The fifth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The sixth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The seventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The eighth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The ninth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The tenth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The eleventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
The twelfth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Twelve fiddlers fiddling,
Eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
Year-Round Joy
Christmas is full of shiny things
That sparkle, gleam and glow.
These holiday pleasures dazzle us,
And yet, deep down, we know…
That Christmas has its special gifts,
But our year-round joy depends
On the cherished people in our lives,
Our family and friends.
– Joanna Fuchs
Little Christmas Carollers
We are a band of carollers,
We march through frost and snow,
But care not for the weather
As on our way we go.
At every hall or cottage
That stands upon our way,
We stop to give the people
Best wishes for the day.
We pray a merry Christmas,
Made bright by Christmas cheer,
With peace, and hope, and gladness
And all they may hold dear.
And for all those that happen
To pass us on our way
We have a smile, and wish them
A merry Christmas-day.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot…
But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville, did NOT!
The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don’t ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all,
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small …
– Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Christmas Bells
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Our Christmas Wish for You
Our Christmas wish for you
Is not a simple one
For we wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun
May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you’ve been given
To be more than what you sought
May God be your strength and light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold
We wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year, too …
Christmas
C is for Christmas, my favorite time of year,
H is for a Holiday that brings us so much cheer.
R is for Reindeer, that pull Santa’s sleigh.
I is for Icicles, dripping on a warm winters day.
S is for Santa who tried not to be seen.
T is for the Tree, so festive and green.
M is for Mistletoe, for kisses and a hug,
A is for the Angels who at our heart strings tug.
S is for Stockings, filled up with toys,
for all the eager girls and boys.
Being Santa
Being Santa must be fun!
Giving gifts to everyone
And riding on a magic sleigh;
Jingle jingle all the way.
He’s read a billion Christmas lists,
Employed some elves to wrap the gifts,
Fed the reindeer, tied his boots
And slipped into his nice red suit.
Setting out on Christmas Eve,
Flying over towns and trees,
To every place, down every road
To all the children round the globe.
It’s such a feat of dedication
Speeding to each destination
With a smile upon his face
Then onward, to another place.
When he’s been all round the world
To every boy and every girl
And left some presents to be found,
His work is done; he’s homeward bound!
Mince pies and milk, he’s had plenty.
His heart is full, his sack is empty.
He cheers as he returns, a winner.
Home in time for Christmas dinner!
-Ms Moem
Merry Christmas
Carols in the distance,
Laughter everywhere,
I can smell Christmas,
Floating in the air.
Candy canes and bon bons,
Angels top the tree,
There’s presents over yonder,
One for you and me!
Tinsel wrapping round and round,
Candles light the night,
Making Santa’s journey,
Sparkly and bright.
A very merry Christmas,
To your family my friend,
May your new year bring happiness,
And may the joyful times not end.
Poems about Santa
Santa’s Christmas Prayer
The sleigh was packed,
the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt
by the side of the bed.
“Dear Father,” he prayed
“Be with me tonight.
There’s much work to do
and my schedule is tight.
I must jump in my sleigh
and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well
that a reindeer can’t fly.
I will visit each household
before the first light,
I’ll cover the world
and all in one night.
With sleighbells a-ringing,
I’ll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter
of each little hoof.
To get in the house
is the difficult part,
So I’ll slide down the chimney
of each little heart.
My sack will hold toys
to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless
like the loaves and the fishes.
I will fill all the stockings
and not leave a track.
I’ll eat every cookie
that’s left for my snack.
I can do all these things Lord,
only through You,
I just need your blessing,
then it’s easy to do.
All this is to honor
the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us,
Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends,
lest Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them,
who gave me this job.”
– Warren D. Jennings
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his courses they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the courses they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes–how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
– Clement Clarke Moore
Did you find a Christmas poem to share with a child in your life? I hope so!
Thanks so much for reading all about our favorite Christmas Poems for Kids {And Free Printable Christmas Poems!}
Have a great day!