The Best 10 Holiday Movies for Kids With Autism

Autism friendly holiday shows with ABA recommended content

The holiday season is a wonderful time to slow down, connect as a family, and enjoy meaningful moments together. For children with autism, choosing the right holiday movies and shows can make a big difference because a calm paced, predictable storylines with a positive social messages can help them reduce sensory overload while creating learning opportunities.

At ABLE, we asked our BCBAs in all our locations in Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Clearwater and Lakeland to recommend content that aligns with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles. Below are 10 autism friendly holiday movies and shows to watch with your child during the holidays.

1. Frosty the Snowman

Frosty comes to life thanks to a magical hat and must navigate a world that is unfamiliar and sometimes unsafe. He struggles with staying alive in warm environments and understanding the rules of the human world.

Why it’s good: The story is simple, repetitive, and easy to follow, making it comforting for many children.

ABA approach shown: Supports sequencing, cause and effect, and joint attention as children follow Frosty’s journey from beginning to end.

2. The Snowman

A young boy builds a snowman that magically comes to life. Together they explore the world in silence, relying on gestures, expressions, and shared experiences rather than words.

Why it’s good: Minimal dialogue makes this film ideal for visual learners and children sensitive to loud sounds.

ABA approach shown: Encourages nonverbal communication, emotional recognition, and visual attention.

3. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

This movie features short holiday stories with Mickey and friends, focusing on themes like sharing, patience, and understanding others’ feelings.

Why it’s good: Short episodes help children stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed.

ABA approach shown: Models social skills such as turn taking, waiting, and problem solving.

4. Bluey Christmas Episodes

Bluey and her family navigate holiday excitement, disappointments, and changes in plans, just like real families do.

Why it’s good: The show reflects everyday family situations in a calm, relatable way.

ABA approach shown: Strong examples of emotional regulation, flexibility, and social modeling.

5. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Holiday Specials

Daniel learns how to handle excitement, waiting, and changes to routines during holiday celebrations.

Why it’s good: Repetition, songs, and clear messages help children understand expectations.

ABA approach shown: Uses modeling, reinforcement, and predictable routines to teach coping skills.

6. Elmo’s Christmas Countdown

Elmo counts down the days to Christmas and learns how to be patient and kind while waiting for special moments.

Why it’s good: The countdown structure provides predictability and structure.

ABA approach shown: Supports waiting skills, transitions, and following directions.

7. Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

George wants to give the perfect gift but struggles to understand how to choose something meaningful. His curiosity often leads to mistakes that he learns from.

Why it’s good: The story gently shows problem solving and learning through trial and error.

ABA approach shown: Encourages cause and effect learning and positive responses to mistakes.

8. Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas

Shaun’s plan to give Timmy a perfect Christmas gift leads to unexpected challenges when things do not go as planned.

Why it’s good: Minimal dialogue and expressive animation reduce sensory load.

ABA approach shown: Builds observation skills, emotional understanding, and prediction.

9. The Polar Express

A young boy struggles with belief and confidence as he takes a magical train ride to the North Pole.

Why it’s good: Ideal for children who enjoy trains and adventure when viewed in short segments.

ABA approach shown: Supports rule following, attention, and understanding social expectations.

10. Sesame Street Holiday Episodes

Familiar characters navigate holiday traditions, sharing, and managing big emotions.

Why it’s good: Predictable structure and educational focus make it comforting and engaging.

ABA approach shown: Supports language development, emotional labeling, and social problem solving.

How Parents Can Use ABA Strategies While Watching

You can turn holiday movie time into a learning opportunity by:

• Pausing to label emotions
• Asking simple comprehension questions
• Reinforcing calm sitting
• Practicing turn taking
• Using visuals or schedules

These strategies help children enjoy shows while strengthening important skills. Choosing autism friendly holiday shows helps children feel understood and supported while reinforcing goals they work on in ABA therapy.

Looking for ABA Therapy Support?

At ABLE, we help families choose tools, routines, and content that support real progress. with 5 clinic locations in Central Florida our purpose is to provide High Quality ABA Therapy for kids with Autism in Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Clearwater and Lakeland. 

Click Here to fill out your intake form or feel free to call us or contact us by email: 

Call us at (863) 619 2809
intake@applied-behavioral.com

“Stories help children understand the world, and the right stories help them feel confident in it.”