Christmas Outdoor Activities for Kids are a wonderful way to blend holiday excitement with the natural world. This season, trade screen time for fresh air and fun by heading outside!
These simple, engaging ideas help families build lasting memories and cherished traditions away from the hustle of indoor decorating. It’s all about finding simple joy in the winter wonderland.
Christmas Outdoor Activities for Kids
1. Snowy Sculptures & Art
Get creative with the snow you have! You can build a classic snowman, but also try other fun shapes like a snow animal or a festive character. Lying down to make snow angels is a simple joy everyone loves.
For snow painting, fill spray bottles with water mixed with food coloring and let kids spray festive designs onto the snow.
2. Winter Nature Exploration
Turn your yard or local park into a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt. Look for natural items like pinecones, red berries, and different evergreen branches.
You can also help local wildlife by decorating outdoor trees for birds and squirrels. Hang ornaments made from peanut butter and birdseed or popcorn strings.
3. Festive Outdoor Games
Put a holiday twist on classic games. Try a “Reindeer” antler toss using a stuffed reindeer or a cardboard cutout with rings. Playing outdoor Christmas charades encourages physical movement and silly fun. If the snow is right, have a giant, gentle snowball fight—or use soft, white pom-poms if you’re worried about ice.
4. Enchanted Light Tours
Taking a slow, mindful neighborhood Christmas light walk or drive is a holiday must-do. You can make it special by creating a DIY ice lantern—freeze water in a container with a smaller one inside to create a shell, then light a candle inside. Or, set up a simple glowing outdoor obstacle course using battery-operated string lights.
5. Community & Giving
Use your outdoor time to spread cheer. Go carol singing for neighbors (with permission and at a distance) or leave festive notes or drawings taped to doorsteps for a happy surprise. You can also deliver handmade gifts to local shelters or fire stations, bringing smiles to others in the community.
6. Cozy Winter Picnics
Bundle up and enjoy a hot cocoa and cookie picnic on a blanket right in your yard. Lay down a waterproof tarp first, then a warm blanket. Tell stories or read a book. If you have a safe fire pit, storytelling around the fire pit with s’mores is magical.
For a quiet activity, try stargazing with warm blankets after the sun goes down.
7. Creative Outdoor Crafts
Use nature as your material. Gather pinecones, leaves, and twigs to make natural material collages on thick cardstock. You can also make beautiful ice suncatchers by freezing water in pie tins with natural items inside, then hanging them with string outside. Or, decorate a simple pine wreath with natural elements from your yard.
8. Active Winter Play
When the snow is falling, it’s time for action! Sledding on a nearby hill is always a favorite. If you have access to a safe rink, ice skating is a blast. Building a big snow fort is a wonderful teamwork activity. For a fun challenge, try creating a detailed “snow maze” in a wide-open snowy area.
9. Outdoor Christmas Movie Night
Project a classic Christmas movie onto a sheet hung up outside or on the side of a garage. Set up seating with warm blankets and pillows, and serve popcorn and warm drinks. This is a unique and cozy evening activity.
10. Visit a Local Tree Farm
Head to a local Christmas tree farm to walk around, even if you’ve already bought your tree. Many farms offer hayrides, hot cider, or a chance to see animals. The smell of fresh pine is a wonderful part of the holiday.
11. Snowball Target Practice
Set up targets (like empty tin cans, plastic buckets, or colored circles drawn in the snow) and practice throwing snowballs. This helps with coordination and aiming skills. You can make it a competition for fun family bragging rights.
12. Write Letters to Santa with Sidewalk Chalk
If you have a clear sidewalk or driveway, let kids write their letters to Santa using big, colorful sidewalk chalk. It’s a fun, temporary way to share their wishes and ideas, and it doesn’t require any paper.
13. Backyard Bonfire & S’mores
Safely set up a small backyard bonfire or use a portable fire pit. Roast marshmallows and make s’mores. Telling spooky or funny Christmas-themed stories around the fire adds to the cozy atmosphere.
14. Creating a “Candy Cane Forest”
Use simple, red-and-white striped garden stakes or paint some small wooden sticks to look like candy canes. Place them around a small section of your yard or garden to create a fun, magical-looking “Candy Cane Forest” for little ones to explore.
15. Ice Luminaries
Create beautiful, glowing ice luminaries by filling plastic containers with water, cranberries, and evergreen sprigs. Let them freeze, then remove the plastic and place a battery-operated candle inside. Line a pathway with these for a festive outdoor glow.
16. Festive Photo Booth Outside
Set up a simple outdoor photo booth area. Hang a festive blanket or sheet as a backdrop, and use props like large candy canes, Santa hats, and silly sunglasses. Take turns taking silly and memorable family photos.
17. Outdoor Tree Decorating Challenge
If you have several trees in your yard, split into teams for an outdoor tree decorating challenge. Use weatherproof ornaments or things you find in nature. Give a time limit and a silly prize for the most creative design.
18. “Follow the Star” Game
Before sunset, hide a small, plastic, light-up star (or draw one with chalk) somewhere in the yard. Give the kids clues to follow until they “Follow the Star” to find a small treat or prize.
19. Building a Birdseed Wreath
Make a special Christmas wreath that is also a snack for the birds. Mix birdseed with gelatin or corn syrup to bind it, then press it into a donut-shaped mold (like a bundt pan). Let it set outside, then hang the birdseed wreath on an outdoor tree.
20. Strolling with Christmas Music
Take a slow, enjoyable stroll around your block while listening to upbeat Christmas music through a portable speaker. The music adds a cheerful soundtrack to your walk and brightens up a winter afternoon.
21. Creating a Festive Chalk Mural
If you have a large paved area, let the kids work together to create a giant festive chalk mural. Draw Santa, reindeer, presents, and snowflakes. It’s a great way for them to express their holiday creativity on a large scale.
Why Outdoor Christmas Activities are Essential
Spending time outdoors during the holidays offers so many great things for kids and families.
Health Benefits
Even when it’s chilly, getting outside provides that essential fresh air and exercise. Winter sunlight offers a bit of Vitamin D, which is important for health. Moving around outside is a great way to stay active during the colder months.
Developmental Benefits
Outdoor play naturally encourages creativity and problem-solving skills. Kids use their imagination to invent games and explore their surroundings. It’s a wonderful chance for sensory exploration—touching snow, smelling pine, and seeing the winter landscape.
Family Bonding
These unique activities are all about creating unique, lasting memories together. Working as a team to build a snow fort or searching for nature treasures makes the holiday season special.
Escaping Screen Time
Outdoor fun provides a healthy, engaging alternative to spending time inside. It’s a perfect way to break up the usual indoor routine and offer a healthy change of pace.
Preparing for Outdoor Fun: Dress for Success
Being prepared is the key to having a great time outside in the cold.
Tips for Layering Clothes
Always dress kids in layers—it traps warmth better than one heavy coat. Start with a base layer, add a warm mid-layer, and finish with a waterproof and windproof outer layer. Don’t forget warm hats, waterproof gloves or mittens, and good winter boots.
Importance of Warm Drinks and Snacks
Bring a thermos filled with hot cocoa or warm cider for a special treat. Pack quick, energy-boosting snacks like granola bars or trail mix. A little warm-up break can make a big difference in staying comfortable and happy.
Safety First: Tips for Outdoor Winter Play
Safety is most important when playing outside in the cold.
Supervision Guidelines
Always make sure an adult is watching when kids are playing outdoors, especially near snow, ice, or fire pits. Check on them often to make sure they are warm and dry.
Recognizing Signs of Cold Exposure
Teach kids to tell you if their fingers or toes feel numb or very cold. Watch for shivering, which is a sign they need to come inside and warm up. Make sure everyone takes breaks to warm up indoors if needed.
Choosing Safe Play Areas
Before sending kids out, check the area for ice patches, hidden obstacles, or sharp objects. Ensure any sledding hills are free of trees and rocks at the bottom.
Making Memories That Last a Lifetime
These outdoor moments are truly what the holidays are all about.
Encourage Photo-Taking and Journaling
Bring a camera to take lots of candid photos of the fun and laughter. Have kids write or draw a picture in a small journal about their favorite outdoor adventure of the day.
Focus on the Experience, Not Perfection
Remember that the goal is fun and connection, not having the perfect craft or activity. Embrace the mess, the cold noses, and the simple joy of being together.
Embracing Christmas Outdoor Activities for Kids brings a unique magic to the holiday season. From building snow forts to singing carols, these moments are precious and few.
We encourage you to bundle up, step outside, and create your own wonderful traditions this year! Which idea will you try first?
