Holiday Joy for Kids: Sing, Play & Create Together
Holiday music does more than set a festive mood — it supports key stages of early development. For babies, toddlers and preschoolers, songs help shape coordination, language skills and emotional expression, among other things. When music becomes part of daily routines, simple activities like crafting or dancing turn into opportunities for learning and connection. In this article, we’ll look at how festive playlists can shape play for kids, and how families can use sound to create simple, developmentally supportive moments throughout the season.
How Music Inspires Play at Every Age
A. Babies (0–12 Months)
For infants, sound is one of the earliest and most reliable anchors for understanding the world. Holiday music helps them notice patterns and build early motor responses, and even brief music moments help babies stay engaged while building the foundations for attention and movement.
Music supports babies by:
- Helping them track rhythm and repetition, which strengthens auditory processing.
- Encouraging small, coordinated movements like head turns, leg kicks, or reaching toward a toy.
- Pairing well with simple routines — gentle swaying, tummy-time stretches or playful tapping — to support early motor development.
B. Toddlers (1–3 Years)
Toddlers learn through big movement and imitation, and music gives those impulses structure. A familiar song becomes a signal for what to do next, making it easier for toddlers to practice new skills with confidence. Upbeat holiday tracks guide them toward actions that build coordination and support early language growth.
Music supports toddlers by:
- Encouraging clapping, stomping, spinning and hopping in rhythm.
- Providing cues in the lyrics (“jump,” “spin,” “freeze”) that help toddlers follow simple instructions.
- Reinforcing language development through repetition and predictable patterns.
C. Preschoolers (3–5 Years): Imagination Takes Center Stage
Preschoolers use music as a backdrop for storytelling and more complex play. They can follow longer sequences and understand emotional cues in melodies, which allows music to become fuel for creativity.
Music supports preschoolers by:
- Inspiring pretend-play scenes — winter picnics, imaginary sleigh rides, holiday “shops.”
- Helping them build narratives by matching actions to musical cues.
- Strengthening cooperation and social play when children act out scenes or roles together.
Crafting & Creating: Let Holiday Music Set the Mood
Holiday crafts become more engaging when music helps set the pace. For young children, sound serves as an anchor, keeping their attention focused, even during activities that require patience or fine motor effort. For example, a calm instrumental track can help babies stay settled while exploring textures like crinkly paper or soft felt. Toddlers and preschoolers benefit from slightly more rhythmic songs, which naturally guide the flow of activities like stamping, gluing or decorating simple ornaments. When music becomes part of the crafting routine, it creates a sense of structure, helping children stay engaged and feel confident as they make something with their hands.
6 Activities That Come Alive With Sound
Music can shape different types of play in simple, practical ways:
- Create a “mini dance floor” with one or two designated songs. Choose upbeat holiday tracks and use them consistently so your child learns the routine: when the song starts, it’s time to move. Encourage actions like “jump when the bells ring” or “freeze when the music stops” to build coordination and self-regulation.
- Use steady background music to support building and fine-motor play. A mid-tempo instrumental track can help toddlers and preschoolers slow down and focus while stacking blocks, sorting toys or arranging a “winter town.” If you notice frustration building, lowering the music volume can help reset their attention
- Match playlists to pretend-play themes. Tie music directly to the world your child is imagining. A soft glockenspiel melody can turn a corner of the room into a “snowy forest.” A lively jingle transforms a play kitchen into a holiday bakery. These cues help children deepen their storytelling and stay engaged longer.
- Use musical cues to signal shifts in play. Pick one short song for transitions — for example, a 30-second jingle that means “clean-up starts now.” Another track might serve as the signal for moving from big-movement play to quiet time. Over time, children will begin to anticipate the change, making transitions smoother.
- Introduce simple props that respond to sound. Scarves, soft ribbons or lightweight fabric scraps work well for movement play. Encourage your child to make the scarf “float on the high notes” or “swoop on the low ones.” This helps them connect movement with musical qualities and supports body awareness.
- Let kids decorate a “play shirt” with Platoon iron-on patches and use it as a costume for music-themed pretend play. Choose a soft tee your child already loves (or a cozy Platoon tee), add a few fun Platoon patches together, and designate it as their “holiday helper shirt” or “dance-time tee.” Wearing something they helped create builds ownership and excitement around the activity, especially when paired with a themed playlist.
Wind-Down Magic: Gentle Rhymes and Lullabies
After a full day of holiday excitement, calming music helps young children shift into a slower rhythm. Soft, predictable melodies cue the body to relax, making bedtime or quiet time feel more manageable. Babies respond well to simple, repetitive patterns — think slow humming or gentle acoustic guitar — that help regulate their breathing and settle their nervous system. Toddlers and preschoolers benefit from songs with clear, soothing phrasing that signals it’s time to transition out of active play. Artists like Luna and Stella, Zoey Zebra, The Night Owl, Sueñito and Sleepy Beanzzz offer lullabies and nursery rhymes that are intentionally paced for winding down, making them a reliable tool for evening routines. Pairing these songs with dimmer lights, slower movements, and consistent bedtime rituals teaches children how to recognize — and eventually initiate — calming moments on their own.
Explore Children’s Songs for Every Occasion
At Platoon Kids, we believe music is one of the most meaningful tools families can use to support early development. Songs help children move, imagine, create and connect — and we’re committed to making that experience accessible, joyful and grounded in what little learners need most. Our growing catalog of artists offers everything from gentle lullabies to playful holiday tracks, each crafted with care for young ears and growing minds.
If you’re looking to bring more music into your family’s day (whether it’s for morning playtime, afternoon crafts, evening wind-down or anything in between), we invite you to explore our children’s songs and playlists. You’ll find sounds for every season and routine.
FAQs
1. How does music support creativity and play for young children?
Music encourages movement, imagination and emotional expression, helping children explore new ideas while building confidence and coordination.
2. What makes Platoon Kids apparel good for holiday playtime?
Our clothing is soft and designed for movement, so little ones can dance, climb, wiggle and pretend without discomfort or restriction.
3. Which Platoon Kids artists offer gentle songs for bedtime?
Artists like Luna and Stella create soothing nursery rhymes and lullabies that help little ones slow down and transition into a calming nighttime routine.
4. How can I use holiday music to make everyday activities feel more special?
A festive playlist can elevate simple moments — from crafts to cleanup to cozy storytime — by creating a fun, engaging environment that encourages imagination and togetherness.