For parents

A Christmas Carol for Kids: A Parent’s Guide

A grumpy miser, three Christmas spirits and a change of heart. How to bring A Christmas Carol to young readers.

By Sean Lee · October 27, 2026

What is A Christmas Carol about?

Charles Dickens’s story, first published in 1843, follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy old miser in Victorian London who cares only for his money and says “Bah! Humbug!” to Christmas. On Christmas Eve, the ghost of his old partner, Jacob Marley, warns him to change, and three spirits come to visit him in the night.

The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come show Scrooge his own childhood, the warm family Christmas of his clerk Bob Cratchit and little Tiny Tim, and what the future holds if nothing changes. By morning, Scrooge has learned how wonderful it feels to be kind.

Meet the characters

• Ebenezer Scrooge: a grumpy, penny-pinching old man who learns to be generous.
• Bob Cratchit: Scrooge’s gentle, hardworking clerk.
• Tiny Tim: Bob’s brave, cheerful young son, who walks with a crutch.
• Fred: Scrooge’s nephew, who never stops inviting him to Christmas dinner.
• Jacob Marley: Scrooge’s old partner, who returns as a ghost in chains.
• The Ghost of Christmas Past: a shining spirit who shows Scrooge his younger years.
• The Ghost of Christmas Present: a jolly giant who shows the joy happening right now.
• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come: a silent, cloaked spirit who shows the future.

Is it too scary for young children?

For most children it isn’t. Marley’s ghost and the silent third spirit are a little spooky, and Tiny Tim is ill, so it helps to read those parts with a grown-up nearby. A children’s retelling keeps them gentle and short, and the story always moves toward a happy, generous Christmas morning.

Big ideas to talk about

• It’s never too late to change and become kinder.
• Sharing and generosity make everyone happier, including the giver.
• Family and friends matter more than money.
• Small kindnesses, like an invitation or a gift, can change someone’s life.

Activities

• Do one secret kind deed for someone this holiday season, like Scrooge on Christmas morning.
• Draw the three Christmas spirits and what each one showed Scrooge.
• Make a paper chain with one kind wish for each family member.
• Use our free Christmas Carol discussion questions, character cards and unit study.