You Don’t Have to Celebrate Every Holiday (A Play-Based Perspective)

Every year around this time, the green crafts start appearing.

Shamrocks. Leprechaun traps. Rainbow everything.

And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating holidays in early childhood… there can also be a quiet pressure to “keep up.” To theme every week. To pivot your environment because the calendar says so.

But in a play-based, child-led environment?

The calendar doesn’t drive the learning.
The children do.

Holidays Are Invitations — Not Obligations

In my dayhome, holidays are simply invitations.

Sometimes a child mentions shamrocks because an older sibling talked about them at home.
Maybe someone saw a leprechaun book at the library.
Maybe green suddenly becomes fascinating.

Those are beautiful entry points.

But they are never requirements.

If the children are deeply immersed in:

• Hatching chicks

• Building with loose parts

• Exploring melting snow

• Creating imaginary worlds

I’m not interrupting that play just because it’s March 17.

Sustained play matters.
Protecting it matters.

When Seasonal Play Does Fit

If the curiosity is there, I might offer something simple:

• A shamrock sensory bin with dyed rice and loose parts

• A green fine motor tray

• An open-ended art invitation using glue and loose materials

Nothing elaborate. Nothing overwhelming.

Just a gentle extension of interest.

Because seasonal play should support curiosity — not replace it.

And Yes — Some Educators Go All Out

There are educators who create incredible, immersive holiday magic.

Rooms transformed.
Elaborate play setups.
Tiny footprints.
Creative storytelling.

And that is wonderful.

If you have the energy, the joy, and the capacity to create that kind of experience — lean in. Children will absolutely delight in it.

This isn’t about doing less.

It’s about doing what aligns with your capacity and your group.

We can celebrate in big ways.
We can celebrate in quiet ways.
We can skip it entirely.

All of those approaches can be thoughtful and professional.

The only thing we don’t need to do is compete with each other.

Holidays Should Never Burn You Out

Here’s the part we don’t talk about enough.

Holidays should not exhaust you.

If you only have the capacity for one or two simple invitations?

Call it good.

You are doing enough.

The children do not need:

• Six themed green snacks

• Twelve separate play invitations

• A room turned upside down by a leprechaun

And we all know who ends up cleaning that up afterward.

Young children don’t measure magic by how much we prepare.

They measure it by connection.
By presence.
By the feeling of safety and joy in the room.

Sometimes one simple tray of green rice is more than enough.

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Want Simple, Open-Ended Play Ideas Without the Pressure?

If you love keeping invitations flexible and child-led, my Loose Parts Play List will help you build adaptable setups you can use all year long — no holiday theme required.

LOOSE PARTS PLAY LIST

It’s Okay to Pass on By

And sometimes?

You skip it entirely.

If your group isn’t interested…
If the energy feels forced…
If your capacity is low…

You are allowed to pass on by.

There is no holiday checklist.
There is no gold star for doing the most.
There is no professional badge for themed exhaustion.

Following children’s interests builds deeper engagement than following the calendar ever could.

If you’re trying to simplify seasonal invitations, I wrote more about seasonal play without the overwhelm in this post.

A Gentle Shift in Perspective

Celebrating holidays can be joyful.
They can build shared experiences and cultural awareness.

But they should never override:

• Deep play

• Meaningful inquiry

• Emotional regulation

• Or your own well-being as an educator

In a play-based environment, we move slower.
We observe more.
We follow threads of interest.
We protect immersion.

Sometimes that includes shamrocks.

Sometimes it includes nothing green at all.

Both are valid.
Both are professional.
Both are play-based.

If you’re craving simple, adaptable invitations you can use all year long — without burning yourself out — I’d love to support you.

Start with my free Loose Parts Play List and build from there.

Because meaningful play doesn’t require a holiday.

And you don’t have to celebrate every one to be doing it right.

[Download the Free List]