The holiday season is upon us, and it’s time to fill your home with laughter, joy, and festive cheer. Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I’m always looking for ways to celebrate and set the mood.
From decorating cookies to building snowmen, there are countless fun Christmas activities that your whole family can enjoy.
Start a new tradition this year like wrapping DIY gifts in creative ways or making a hilarious Christmas video to send to distant relatives.
You could also organize a Christmas-themed game night with charades and trivia.
For those snowy days, bundle up and head outside for some winter fun. Build a snowman, have a friendly snowball fight, or go sledding down a nearby hill.
I’ve listed below some of the best family-friendly Christmas activities to get everyone into the Holiday spirit. I hope you find some inspiration and can adapt those to your family!
Setting Up a Christmas Traditions Schedule
Plan a mix of fun activities to enjoy throughout December. Consider these ideas:
- Decorate the tree together
- Bake and decorate cookies
- Watch a different Christmas movie each week
- Drive around to see neighborhood light displays
- Volunteer at a local charity
Create a flexible schedule, allowing for busy days and spontaneous moments. Write activities on slips of paper and let family members take turns choosing each day’s event.
Don’t forget to include quiet moments for reflection and gratitude. Reading Christmas stories or sharing hot cocoa can be just as meaningful as bigger activities.
Crafting a Handmade Advent Calendar
This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas traditions.
When I was a kid, my mom, who was the crafty type, made felt bags with numbers on them, filled them with goodies, and hung them from the ceiling in the living room. Each morning up until Christmas, we had to find the right bag and we would get a little something.
There are many other ways to craft a handmade advent calendar. You can make a more traditional one with materials like felt, cardboard, or small boxes to create pockets or compartments for each day.
Involve the kids in decorating the calendar with festive stickers, glitter, and drawings. Fill each pocket with small treats, toys, or activity cards for daily surprises.
You can also use envelopes strung on a ribbon or create a paper chain, removing one link each day.
Making Christmas Crafts
Whether you’re making DIY Christmas decorations or handmade gifts, make it a family activity.
Create adorable clothespin Christmas tree ornaments by painting clothespins and decorating them with colorful pom-poms and jingle bells.
Try making paper plate snowmen by painting paper plates white, then adding buttons, a carrot nose, and a festive hat.
For a classic craft, make paper snowflakes together. Fold white paper into quarters, cut intricate designs, then unfold to reveal unique snowflakes. Hang them in windows or from the ceiling for a winter wonderland effect.
You can also create personalized stockings for each family member. Use felt, fabric paint, and sequins to design stockings that reflect everyone’s personality.
Make a festive wreath using a foam ring, pine branches, and colorful ornaments. Add a ribbon bow for the finishing touch.
Create a charming centerpiece by filling a glass bowl with pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and battery-operated string lights. Surround it with evergreen sprigs for a natural look.
Decorating the Home and Christmas Tree
If you’re decorating for Christmas, make a day out of it, where everyone participates. You can even plan a shopping trip and have everyone pick their favorite decorations. Same for the Christmas tree shopping if you buy a real one, turn it into a fun outing.
My mom used to let us decorate the tree as we wanted. It might have been ugly, but it was so much fun – even today I remember fondly my Snow White ornaments that I would put up each year.
Baking Christmas Cookies
Nothing says Christmas like the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through your home.
Start by selecting your favorite holiday recipes – classic sugar cookies, gingerbread men, or chocolate chip are all crowd-pleasers.
Set up stations for each step of the process: mixing, rolling, cutting, and decorating. This way, everyone can participate regardless of age or skill level.
Don’t forget to put on some festive tunes to get you in the holiday spirit!
For added fun, organize a cookie decorating contest. Provide a variety of frostings, sprinkles, and edible decorations, and let the kids’ imagination run wild.
Hosting a Gingerbread House Competition
Transform your kitchen into a winter wonderland with a family gingerbread house competition.
Start by dividing into teams or working individually. Provide each participant with a pre-made gingerbread house kit or bake your own gingerbread pieces.
Set out an assortment of candies, frostings, and edible decorations.
Establish categories for judging, such as “Most Creative,” “Best Winter Scene,” or “Most Likely to Withstand a Blizzard.” Set a time limit to add some excitement.
You can also decide to build one together if you don’t want to make it a competition or if your kids are quite young.
Christmas-Themed Family Game Night
Christmas is all about sharing time with your loved one and there are countless fun games to play that will fit all ages.
Christmas charades is a hilarious way to get everyone involved. Write down holiday-themed words or phrases on slips of paper. Divide into teams and take turns acting out the words while others guess.
For a twist on a classic, try Christmas bingo. Create bingo cards with holiday symbols, characters, or traditions instead of numbers. Call out the items and watch as players rush to complete their cards. You can even use small candy canes as markers for an extra festive touch.
Christmas trivia is also a fun idea, you can adapt the questions based on your kids’ age and have some prizes ready for the winners.
If you have teens at home, organize a Christmas movie trivia, with questions about plot points, character names, and famous quotes. You can also incorporate audio or visual elements. Play short clips from movies and ask questions based on what was shown.
Organizing a Candy Cane Hunt
Hide candy canes throughout the house or yard, depending on the weather. Give each family member a small basket or bag to collect their findings.
To make it more exciting, use different sizes or colors of candy canes with varying point values. For example, mini candy canes could be worth 1 point, while large ones are worth 5. You can also hide a special golden candy cane for bonus points.
Set a time limit and let the hunt begin! The person with the most points at the end wins a special prize.
Christmas Movie Marathon
Plan a cozy Christmas movie marathon for your family. Create a list of everyone’s favorite holiday films and vote on which ones to watch. Prepare comfy seating with plenty of blankets and pillows.
Set up a hot chocolate bar with various toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy canes.
Going Sledding and Ice Skating Together
Bundle up and head to your local park or sledding hill for an exhilarating day of sledding. Choose sleds that suit different family members, from toboggans for group rides to individual saucers for solo adventures.
Find a nearby ice skating rink and lace up your skates. Glide hand-in-hand with your little ones, teaching them balance and coordination. For beginners, consider renting skate aids to boost confidence.
Take breaks to warm up with hot cocoa and snacks. Encourage friendly competitions like races or figure skating imitations to keep the energy high.
Building a Snowman
Transform your backyard into a winter wonderland by building a snowman together. Start by rolling three large snowballs for the body, stacking them from largest to smallest.
Get creative with decorations. Use carrots for noses, buttons or coal for eyes, and sticks for arms. Dress your snowman in old scarves, hats, and gloves.
Visiting a Holiday Market
Experience the magic of a holiday market with your family. Stroll through twinkling lights and festive stalls, breathing in the scent of roasted chestnuts and cinnamon.
Sample local treats like gingerbread cookies or mulled cider. Shop for unique handmade Christmas gifts and decorations, supporting local artisans.
Enjoy live performances of carolers or street musicians. Let your kids participate in craft workshops or visit Santa’s grotto if available.
Christmas Tree Shopping
Make selecting your Christmas tree a family adventure. Visit a local tree farm or nursery to choose the perfect evergreen together.
Let each family member have a say in the selection process. Measure the space at home beforehand to ensure the right fit.
Consider bringing a thermos of hot chocolate and snacks to make it a cozy outing. Don’t forget to bring gloves and a saw if you’re cutting your own tree.
Holiday Light Tour
Plan an evening drive to admire the light displays in your neighborhood or nearby towns. It’s an activity the whole family will enjoy, there’s just something magical about Christmas lights.
Create a playlist of favorite holiday songs to accompany your journey.
Pack blankets and pillows to keep cozy in the car. Bring along thermoses of hot chocolate or warm apple cider to sip as you drive.
Make it interactive by creating a holiday light bingo game. Include items like inflatable decorations, nativity scenes, or houses with synchronized music displays.
Writing Letters to Santa
Writing letters to Santa is a great tradition to start with little kids. Make it a family activity by sitting down together with fun stationery and colorful pens.
Help younger children express their thoughts, and guide older ones to include kind words for Santa and Rudolph.
Consider taking it a step further by having Santa “reply” to the letters. Leave the response by the fireplace or under the tree on Christmas morning for a magical surprise.
Christmas Caroling in Your Neighborhood
Spread holiday cheer by organizing a caroling group in your neighborhood. Choose a mix of popular Christmas songs that everyone knows. Some favorites include:
- “Jingle Bells”
- “Deck the Halls”
- “Silent Night”
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Gather friends and family, bundle up in warm clothes, and bring along song sheets. You might want to practice a few times before heading out.
Volunteering
The holiday season is the perfect time to give back to your community. Look for local opportunities where you can volunteer as a family. Many organizations need extra hands during this busy time.
Consider these options:
- Serve meals at a soup kitchen
- Sort donations at a food bank
- Collect toys for children in need
- Visit a nursing home to sing carols or chat with residents
Volunteering teaches children the value of helping others and can become a meaningful annual tradition. It’s a wonderful way to embody the spirit of giving that defines Christmas.
Matching Christmas Pajamas Photoshoot
Choose from various designs like red reindeer, Christmas trucks, or blue snowflakes. Many stores offer sets for the entire family, including adults and children.
Consider having a pajama party around Christmas Eve. You can gather around the fireplace, drink hot cocoa, and read Christmas stories while all cozied up in your matching outfits.
Don’t forget to take plenty of photos! These moments make for great holiday cards or social media posts to share with friends and extended family.
Setting Up for Santa’s Visit
Get your home ready for Santa’s arrival. Leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk near the fireplace or Christmas tree.
Place carrots or reindeer food outside for Santa’s companions.
Consider setting up an “Elf on the Shelf” to keep an eye on things before Santa’s visit.
Create “reindeer tracks” using flour or glitter near the fireplace or entry point.
Tracking Santa with Your Children
Make Christmas Eve extra special by tracking Santa’s journey around the world. Use the official NORAD Santa Tracker website or app to follow his progress in real time.
Discuss the different countries and cultures he visits along the way.
Set up “Santa alerts” on your devices to receive updates on his location. This builds anticipation and helps little ones understand when it’s time for bed.
Consider a festive countdown to your region’s estimated Santa arrival time. Use a fun timer or create a simple craft project to mark the hours until his visit.
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