Winter is with us and it’s such an exciting season. During our online adventure to explore Santa’s Homeland with Riitta of Lapland, the children shared how they play with snow and celebrate the holiday season. In this blog, we collected fun photos and ideas from China, the US, the UK, and Finland about

• What are some fun winter activities for children?
• How to dress up a snowman?
• Spot Santa, Ask Santa
• How do children celebrate Christmas?

#1: What are some fun winter activities?

Animals are as excited about the snow as children. In Beijing, a panda climbed up high and had a nice city view of the snow. In Lapland reindeer were curious about everything!

Source of image: Panda photo provided by Dolly in China; Reindeer photo provided by Riitta of Arctic Escapades.

Time to go out and play with the snow or ice! Chinese shopping malls set up ice rinks for children to skate. In Finland, children go to skiing schools or competitions at a very young age.

Source of image: Finnish children photo provided by Riitta of Arctic Escapades.

The size of dogs varies. But the joy of dog sledding is the same.

Source of image: Chinese family photo provided by Casey of Wise Reading Club; Reindeer photo provided by Riitta of Arctic Escapades.

#2: How to dress up a snowman?

Making a snowman is always a favorite. Maybe even a snow rabbit! You can either make a snowman from scratch or use plastic models to make a row of snow rabbits quickly. On the left side, it was Joy who made a few snow rabbits using her plastic model tool in China. On the right side, it was Riitta building a snowman with her god-daughters in Lapland, Finland.

Source of image: Chinese family photo provided by Hope in China; Reindeer photo provided by Riitta of Arctic Escapades.

Let’s give snowmen different fashion styles. These families made creative use of traffic cones, tree leaves, ribbons, buttons, and scarves. What does your snowman look like?

Source of image: Chinese snowmen photo provided by Casey of Wise Reading Club.

#3: Spot Santa; Ask Santa

Santa Claus is working around the clock to bring joy to people around the world. Sometimes Santa plays Saxophone in front of a Chinese restaurant. Sometimes he feeds his reindeer friends with lichen in Lapland, rewarding their good work. Find out more about Santa’s homeland Lapland via this Arctic Escapades website.

Source of image: Chinese Santa photo provided by Professor Alan Barrel in the UK; Reindeer photo provided by Riitta of Arctic Escapades.

Sometimes he is seen riding a bike doing deliveries in China. At other times he is busy welcoming families at the London Zoo. Where have you spotted Santa?

Source of image: Chinese Santa photo from Social Media; UK Santa photo from My London News.

#4: How do children celebrate Christmas?

🇨🇳 China – We go to a park and exchange gifts (with other families)

🇺🇸 US – We go to Christmas parties and watch the Home Alone movie series; We have fire, a Christmas tree, and gifts; We go to spend time with grandma, have food, exchange gifts, and have a talent show afterwards.

🇬🇧 UK – We place some carrots and minced pie in front of the chimney for Santa and his reindeer. There are different Christmas trees: on the left side of the photo is a Christmas tree made of books; the middle one is a knitted Christmas tree. On the right side, is the Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 Christmas tree.

During our virtual event to explore Santa’s Magic Homeland, children asked all sorts of questions about Santa and the children of Lapland. Click the one-minute video to see some highlights.

In their letters to Santa in English and Chinese, children’s wishes varied from wanting an iPhone 15 to wanting a big brother!

#5: A big thank you to those who made the contributions