A Fun Way to Practice Writing (and a New Language): Our Bilingual Letter to Santa
Sometimes the best learning happens when kids forget they’re “learning.”
That’s why holiday writing can be such a gift: it’s meaningful, playful, and naturally motivating.
In our hardcover story book, Countdown to Christmas, children across the globe write letters to Santa. We thought it would be fun to share a free letter to Santa to help your child practice writing and a new language.
Writing a letter to Santa is one of those rare activities that feels exciting to children and also quietly supports big skill growth—especially when it’s done in a second language. Whether your child is just beginning to write words or is already building sentences, a simple, joyful prompt like this can unlock confidence and momentum.
Why “fun writing” is powerful
When children write something they care about, their brains do a little extra work—because the goal matters to them. A wish list for Santa isn’t an exercise in a workbook; it’s a real message to someone they’re delighted to imagine.
That means kids are more likely to:
- Stick with the task longer
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Take risks with spelling and sentence-building
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Ask questions about words they want to use
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Feel proud of what they created
Motivation isn’t a bonus in learning—it’s the engine.
Writing supports language learning in a special way
Reading and listening build understanding, but writing helps children own a language.
When kids write in a new language, they practice:
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Vocabulary recall (finding the word they need)
- Sentence structure (putting ideas in order)
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Spelling patterns (noticing how sounds map to letters)
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Grammar in context (without it feeling abstract)
Even a short letter gives meaningful practice because it connects language to personal meaning.
How our bilingual letters work
Each version of our free bilingual Letter to Santa includes:
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An English guide
This helps children and parents understand what they’re writing, and gives support for any unfamiliar vocabulary.
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A fill-in-the-blank letter in the target language
The structure is already there—so kids can focus on choosing words, practicing handwriting, and completing a real message without feeling overwhelmed.
This “supported writing” approach helps children feel successful while still doing real language work.
Tips to make it even more engaging
Want to turn this into a mini holiday tradition? Here are a few easy upgrades:
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Let kids brainstorm in English first
They can speak their ideas out loud before trying to write them in the target language.
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Look up extra words together
If they want to add a toy, a food, or a hobby not listed in the letter, that’s great language learning.
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Encourage inventive spelling
Especially for early writers. The goal is confidence and expression, not perfection.
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Read it aloud at the end
Hearing their own letter in the new language reinforces pronunciation and helps them feel proud.
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Decorate and “mail” it
A little glitter or a pretend envelope turns it into an event.
A small activity with big benefits
A bilingual letter to Santa is quick, cheerful, and seasonal… but it’s also doing something deeper:
It helps children see another language as something they can use—to express their own thoughts, traditions, and excitement.
That’s the kind of learning that lasts.
Download your free bilingual Letter to Santa
Choose your target language below. Each includes an English guide plus a fill-in-the-blank letter in the language you’re practicing:
Happy writing—and happy holidays! 🎄✍️