Finding the best Christmas activities for kids can truly make the holiday season special. Seeing the excitement and wonder in a child’s eyes is what this time of year is all about.
Engaging in festive fun together is the perfect way to build strong family bonds and create a home filled with warmth and joy. From simple crafts to cherished traditions, there’s something here for every family.
This guide is packed with creative crafts, exciting games, and heartwarming traditions. We’ll explore ideas that are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and the whole family. Let’s get ready to make some unforgettable memories this Christmas! 🎅
Creative Christmas Crafts & DIY Projects
1. Homemade Ornaments
Making your own ornaments is a classic Christmas activity. You can use salt dough, paper, or even natural items like pinecones. Each creation becomes a special keepsake that you can hang on the tree year after year, reminding you of the fun you had making it.
It’s a wonderful way for kids to see their own art become part of the family’s holiday decorations. Plus, it gives you a chance to talk about memories from past Christmases as you find a spot for each new piece.
2. Christmas Craft Projects
Gather your supplies for an afternoon of creative fun! You don’t need much to get started—just some paper, glue, and a bit of imagination. Making paper plate angels, cotton ball snowmen, or festive paper chains can keep little hands busy and happy.
These simple projects are great for developing fine motor skills and letting kids express their creativity. The best part is displaying their finished masterpieces around the house as part of your holiday decor.
3. Paper Christmas Tree
Creating a 3D paper Christmas tree is a fun and easy craft for kids of all ages. All you need is some green construction paper, scissors, and maybe some glitter or stickers for decorations.
By folding and cutting the paper, kids can make their very own mini-forest of festive trees.
These little trees are perfect for decorating a mantelpiece, a windowsill, or even as a centerpiece for the kids’ table during Christmas dinner.
4. Holiday Crafts For Kids
Think simple and fun when it comes to holiday crafts. You can make reindeer puppets from paper bags or craft Santa’s sleigh out of a cardboard box. Using common household items makes crafting accessible and shows kids that you can create magic from everyday things.
These activities don’t need a lot of prep, making them perfect for a spontaneous afternoon of fun. Let your child lead the way and see what festive creations they come up with!
5. Free Printable Christmas Crafts For Kids
When you’re short on time, printable crafts are a lifesaver. You can find tons of free templates online for everything from color-by-number Christmas scenes to build-your-own gingerbread house kits. Just print them out, and you’re ready to go!
This is a fantastic low-prep way to have some festive fun. It’s especially useful for playdates or when you need a quiet activity to wind down the day.
Engaging Christmas Games & Play
6. Christmas Party Games
Hosting a small Christmas party or a family get-together? Games are a must! Classics like “Pin the Nose on Rudolph” or a Christmas-themed charades game always bring lots of laughter. You could also organize a candy cane hunt around the house.
These games are great for getting everyone to interact and have a good time together. They help break the ice and ensure kids (and adults!) are having a blast.
7. Christmas Bingo Game
Bingo is a simple game that everyone in the family can enjoy. Create or print Christmas-themed bingo cards with pictures of stockings, reindeer, candy canes, and Santa. Use small candies or buttons as markers for a sweet twist.
It’s a fun way to keep everyone entertained while waiting for Christmas dinner or during a cozy family night in. The first person to shout “BINGO!” gets a small prize.
8. Roll A Snowman Game
This is a super fun drawing game that just requires paper, pencils, and a die. Each number on the die corresponds to a part of the snowman’s body. For example, rolling a one means you draw the head, a two means you draw the middle section, and so on.
The first person to complete their snowman wins! It’s a game of chance that results in some funny-looking snowmen and lots of giggles.
9. Make Pretend Snow for Sensory Play
Bring the winter magic indoors by making your own pretend snow. A simple recipe of baking soda and shaving cream creates a cold, fluffy substance that’s perfect for sensory play. Kids will love squishing it, shaping it, and driving their toy cars through it.
This activity is especially great for little ones who are exploring different textures. Just be sure to put down a mat or tablecloth for easy cleanup!
Heartwarming Family Christmas Traditions
10. Family Traditions Activities
Starting new family traditions can make the holidays feel even more meaningful. It could be something as simple as watching a specific Christmas movie together every year or baking a special holiday treat. The key is to choose something that your family genuinely enjoys.
These shared rituals create a sense of belonging and give everyone something to look forward to. They are the core memories your children will carry with them for years.
11. Christmas Eve Traditions
Christmas Eve is buzzing with anticipation. Make it extra special with a few cherished traditions. Reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” before bed is a timeless classic. Another popular idea is to open one small gift, like a new pair of pajamas.
You can also leave out cookies and milk for Santa and some carrots for his reindeer. These little acts build excitement and make the night before Christmas almost as magical as the day itself.
12. Christmas Morning Traditions
The big day is here! Make Christmas morning memorable with a special breakfast, like snowman-shaped pancakes. Before diving into the presents, take a moment to put on some Christmas music and simply enjoy the festive atmosphere as a family.
Some families like to open stockings first, while others open one gift at a time, watching as each person reveals their surprise. Find a rhythm that works for your family and makes the morning feel joyful and relaxed.
13. Unique Christmas Traditions Ideas
Want to try something a little different? Consider a “Christmas Eve Box” filled with a new movie, popcorn, hot cocoa, and pajamas. Or, you could do a “reverse advent calendar,” where you add one non-perishable food item to a box each day in December to donate to a local food bank.
Creating a unique tradition that reflects your family’s values can make the holiday season more personal and special.
14. Christmas Activities For Families Home
You don’t have to go out to have a memorable Christmas. Some of the best activities happen right at home. Have a family bake-off, build a massive fort in the living room and fill it with blankets and fairy lights, or have an indoor “snowball” fight with soft pom-poms.
Staying home allows you to relax and connect without the stress of crowds. It’s all about making your space a hub of festive fun and comfort.
Toddler & Preschooler Friendly Ideas
15. Christmas Ideas With Toddlers
When it comes to toddlers, simple is best. A sensory bin filled with red and green rice and jingle bells can provide hours of entertainment. You can also make simple handprint or footprint art to create reindeer or angels—a perfect keepsake!
Singing Christmas carols with fun actions is another great way to engage them. Choose activities that are short, sweet, and allow them to explore with their senses.
16. Preschool Christmas Crafts
Preschoolers are ready for slightly more complex crafts. They can help decorate gingerbread cookies with icing and sprinkles or create their own Christmas cards for family members using stamps and stickers. Making beaded candy cane ornaments is also a great activity for practicing fine motor skills.
These crafts are designed to be fun and build confidence. Let them take the lead and praise their efforts, no matter the outcome!
17. Simple Christmas Ideas For Kids
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most beloved. Driving around the neighborhood after dark to look at all the Christmas lights is a magical experience for a child. Cuddle up with blankets and a flask of hot chocolate for an extra cozy adventure.
Another easy idea is to have a Christmas music dance party in your living room. Just put on your favorite festive tunes and let everyone dance their hearts out. It’s a perfect way to burn off some of that holiday excitement.
18. DIY Advent Calendar
Create your own advent calendar for a truly personal touch. Use small paper bags, envelopes, or tiny boxes labeled with numbers 1 through 24. Inside each one, you can place a small chocolate, a fun activity coupon like “watch a Christmas movie tonight,” or a sweet handwritten note.
This activity builds excitement every single day leading up to Christmas. It becomes a cherished tradition that kids will look forward to year after year.
19. Reindeer Handprint Craft
This is a classic craft that makes an adorable keepsake. Just trace your child’s handprint onto brown construction paper and cut it out. The fingers become the antlers, and the thumb makes the reindeer’s head and neck!
Add some googly eyes and a bright red pom-pom for Rudolph’s nose. You can write the year on the back and hang it on the tree as a precious memory.
20. Popcorn and Cranberry Garland
Go old-fashioned with this beautiful and natural decoration. All you need is a needle, thread, some plain popcorn, and fresh cranberries. It’s a fantastic activity for older kids to practice their fine motor skills.
Drape your beautiful, handmade garland on the Christmas tree for a traditional look. You can also hang a strand outside as a special treat for the winter birds.
21. Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Get the kids moving with an exciting Christmas scavenger hunt. Hide candy canes or small ornaments around the house or yard. Write out simple, rhyming clues that lead from one spot to the next.
For younger kids who can’t read yet, you can use pictures as clues. The final clue should lead to a special prize, like a new Christmas book or a small toy.
22. “What’s in the Stocking?” Guessing Game
This is a simple sensory game that sparks curiosity. Place a few distinctively shaped Christmas items inside a stocking, like a pinecone, a cookie cutter, or a jingle bell. Let each child feel the stocking from the outside and guess what’s hidden inside.
It’s a fun and easy game to play while you’re waiting for dinner or just need a quick activity. No peeking is the number one rule!
23. Christmas Movie Trivia
After enjoying a family-favorite Christmas movie, extend the fun with a round of trivia. Prepare some simple questions about the main characters, funny scenes, and key plot points. You can even have small, festive prizes for the person who gets the most answers right.
This is a great way to see who was paying the most attention! It helps build comprehension skills in a super fun way.
24. Write Letters to Santa 🎅
Writing letters to Santa is a timeless tradition that brings so much magic to the season. Help your child write down their Christmas wishes or draw pictures of the toys they are hoping for. It’s a wonderful opportunity to practice writing and spelling.
You can use festive stationery or find free printable templates online. Don’t forget to “mail” it to the North Pole when you’re done!
25. Christmas Cookie Baking Day
Set aside a whole afternoon for a family bake-a-thon. Make batches of your favorite Christmas cookies, whether they are sugar cookies, gingerbread, or chocolate crinkles. The kitchen will be filled with the most delicious, festive smells.
The best part is the decorating! Set up a station with different colors of icing, sprinkles, and candies, and let everyone decorate their own creations.
26. Volunteer or Donate Together
Show your children the true spirit of Christmas by giving back to the community. You can pick out a new toy to donate to a local toy drive or go through old coats and blankets to give to a shelter.
Involving kids in acts of kindness teaches them compassion and gratitude. It helps them understand that the holidays are about more than just receiving gifts.
27. Choose a New Ornament Each Year
Start a lovely tradition where every family member picks out one special new ornament for the tree each year. It can be one that reflects a hobby, a milestone from the past year, or simply one they find beautiful.
As the years go by, your tree will become a glittering collection of family memories. Unpacking the ornaments each December will be a wonderful trip down memory lane.
28. Jingle Bell Painting
Get ready for some noisy, creative fun! Place a piece of paper inside a shallow box or a baking tray with sides. Add a few drops of red and green paint, then toss in a few jingle bells.
Let your child hold the box and shake it around. The bells will roll through the paint, creating a one-of-a-kind abstract painting with a festive soundtrack!
29. Decorate a Mini Felt Tree
This is a perfect, mess-free activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Cut a large tree shape out of green felt and hang it on a wall at their height. Then, cut out various shapes for ornaments, like circles, stars, and candy canes, from different colored felt.
The felt pieces will naturally cling to each other, so kids can decorate and re-decorate their very own tree as many times as they want. It gives them a sense of ownership and keeps them away from the real tree!
Festive Food & Drink Fun
30. Decorate a Gingerbread House
Whether you buy a kit or bake the pieces from scratch, decorating a gingerbread house is a must-do Christmas activity. Lay out an array of colorful candies, gumdrops, licorice, and icing. Let everyone work together to design and build a sweet, edible masterpiece.
The hardest part is waiting to eat it! A decorated gingerbread house makes a fantastic and festive centerpiece for your holiday table.
31. Make Reindeer Hot Chocolate 🦌
Turn a simple cup of hot chocolate into an adorable, festive treat. Once you’ve poured the cocoa, simply add two pretzel twists on top for antlers. Use candy eyeballs and a red M&M or cinnamon candy for the nose to complete your reindeer.
It’s an edible craft that’s almost too cute to drink. This is a perfect way to warm up after playing outside in the cold.
Cherishing the Season
And there you have it – a whole sleigh full of ideas to make this Christmas extra special! The real magic isn’t in the perfect craft or the fanciest cookie. It’s in the laughter, the messy hands, and the time spent together.
Don’t feel like you have to do everything on this list. Just pick one or two ideas that sound fun to your family. The best traditions are the ones that feel right for you and bring you joy.
So go ahead, put on some Christmas music, and get ready to make some wonderful memories. Happy holidays! ❤️
