Holiday TV Guide: Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah & Kwanzaa
Looking to bring more joy and learning into the holiday season?
We created a FREE resource packed with vocabulary lists, discussion prompts, and reflection questions, based on episode recommendations, that the whole family or classroom can enjoy.
Download the Holiday TV Episode Teacher Guide for FREE!
As teachers and parents, the holidays are a chance to highlight empathy, cultural appreciation, generosity, and tradition in ways that stick with students. This curated lineup showcases beloved TV episodes across Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, all perfect for grades K–8.
Below is a preview of the learning opportunities pulled from the guide!
Christmas Episodes to Spark Joy, Kindness & Tradition
Arthur – Arthur’s Perfect Christmas
Synopsis:
Arthur and his friends prepare for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Arthur wants a perfect Christmas, but things don’t go as planned. The episode highlights empathy, cultural awareness, and respecting different traditions.
Discussion Questions:
What does “perfect Christmas” mean to Arthur?
How do his expectations change?
How do different families in the episode celebrate their holidays?
What message does the episode give about appreciating what you have?
How does Arthur show kindness to others during the holiday?
Reflection Prompts:
Describe a holiday tradition your family values. Why is it meaningful?
What is one thing you learned about a different culture’s celebration from this episode?
Phineas & Ferb – Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation!
Synopsis:
Phineas and Ferb learn that someone has put them on the “naughty list.” They creatively build a massive holiday rescue mission to save Christmas. Meanwhile, Dr. Doofenshmirtz attempts to ruin holiday cheer with his latest invention.
Discussion Questions:
How do Phineas and Ferb respond to learning they’re on the naughty list?
What inventions or solutions do the characters create to fix the problem?
What message does the episode give about helping others?
Reflection Prompts:
Describe a time you helped “save the day” for someone else.
What would YOU invent to make the holidays more fun?
Hanukkah Episodes That Teach Heritage, Bravery & Celebration
Rugrats – A Rugrats Chanukah
Synopsis:
The babies participate in a synagogue play about the Hanukkah story. They learn about Judah Maccabee, the miracle of the oil, and standing up for what’s right.
Discussion Questions:
What do the babies learn about the Maccabees?
What miracle is celebrated during Hanukkah?
How does the episode teach bravery?
Reflection Prompts:
What is one symbol of Hanukkah, and what does it stand for?
Describe a time you had to be brave like the Maccabees
Shalom Sesame – Chanukah: The Missing Menorah
Synopsis:
Grover and his friends search for a missing menorah while teaching Hanukkah customs, foods, and Hebrew phrases.
Discussion Questions:
Why is the menorah important to Hanukkah?
What traditions did the characters practice?
How does the episode teach the value of helping others?
Reflection Prompts:
Write or draw something important you learned about Hanukkah traditions.
Describe a time you helped someone in your family or community.
Kwanzaa Episodes That Celebrate Unity, Heritage & Community
The Proud Family – Seven Days of Kwanzaa
Synopsis:
The Proud family hosts a family who teaches them about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, focusing on unity, creativity, and community service.
Discussion Questions:
What are the seven principles of Kwanzaa?
What does the Proud family learn about giving back?
How do the guests help the Prouds understand Kwanzaa?
Reflection Prompts:
Which Kwanzaa principle stands out to you and why?
How can you contribute to your community?
Everybody Hates Chris – Everybody Hates Kwanzaa
Synopsis:
The family decides to celebrate Kwanzaa instead of Christmas, leading to humorous but meaningful conversations about values, traditions, and community responsibility.
Discussion Questions:
How does the family react to switching holidays?
What values are emphasized during their Kwanzaa celebration?
How can humor help teach cultural lessons?
Reflection Prompts:
Write about a time your family tried something new.
Why is it helpful to learn about holidays outside your own tradition?
Bring Learning & Joy Together This Holiday Season
Whether you’re planning a festive classroom activity or a family movie night these episodes offer rich opportunities to help kids connect with holiday traditions from multiple communities.
Download the Holiday TV Episode Teacher Guide for FREE!
Get episode summaries, streaming info, vocabulary lists, worksheets, discussion questions, and reflection prompts all in one place.
