19 Festive and Fun Christmas Activities for Kids
The holidays are a hectic time for everyone, but they’re especially chaotic for parents. Between all of the shopping, decorating, and parties, it can be tough to find time to just relax and enjoy the season. Make time for fun and memories this year with these 19 festive Christmas activities for kids!
We don’t need anyone to remind us that we only have a few Christmases with our kids while they’re young. But sometimes we allow the business of the season and all of the lists of things to do keep us from cherishing the time.
This year make an intentional plan to enjoy the season to the fullest with your family through plenty of Christmas activities for kids.
19 Christmas Activities for Kids
The most important thing to remember when it comes to Christmas activities for kids is to keep it simple. We sometimes think we need to go over the top and plan complicated outings.
But our kids often just cherish the little things we do together. My favorite Christmas memories include baking cookies, driving to look at Christmas lights and sleeping in the floor around our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
Here are 19 fun holiday activities you can do with your kids that are simple but create lifelong memories for kids and parents!
Decorate sugar cookies.
Baking is a great way to bond with your kids and make some delicious treats at the same time. And there’s no better holiday baking activity than decorating sugar cookies.
You can make it super simple if you buy a kit of pre-made cookies, and just let your kids decorate them. Or, go all-out and make your cookies, too. These sour cream sugar cookies are yummy and easy to make and decorate with kids.
Let them go wild with the icing and sprinkles. Make it even more fun when you deliver cookies to your neighbors and friends!
Go ice skating.
It’s not wintertime without a trip to the rink! Ice skating is a great way to get out of the house and burn off some energy, and it’s something that the whole family can enjoy together.
Many small towns create outdoor rinks around Christmas time, so you may be able to have a fun family outing without having to find a large rink.
Make homemade ornaments.
Homemade ornaments are a great way to add a personal touch to your Christmas tree. Themed, magazine-worthy Christmas decor is way overrated. The most beautiful trees have ornaments that are made on snowy afternoons with glitter, glue, and giggles.
There are many different ornament crafts that kids can do, such as painting pinecones or salt dough handprints. Grandparents, aunts and uncles love to receive these as gifts, too.
Have a movie marathon.
Sometimes the best way to spend quality time with your kids is by doing nothing at all. So curl up on the couch with some blankets and hot cocoa and enjoy a marathon of all your favorite holiday movies.
It’s the perfect way to relax and get into the festive spirit. There are tons of movies to choose from, depending on your children’s ages and interests.
Build a snowman.
Building a snowman is one of the most classic Christmas activities for kids there is. It’s perfect for kids of all ages and is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
If you’re like me and live in an area where it never snows, make a fun snowman craft!
Make a gingerbread house.
Building gingerbread houses is another classic Christmas activity. You can find kits for gingerbread houses pretty much anywhere around the holidays.
And you’re not limited to only houses! There are kits available for gingerbread campers, barns, and more!
Read Christmas books together.
Christmas is the perfect time to get cozy with some books! Check out your local library for great books for kids of all ages.
Do an Advent calendar together.
Advent calendars are a great way to countdown to Christmas, and there are a ton of options for making or buying one. You’re sure to find the perfect way to mark off the time until the big day with your family.
Make Christmas cards.
There’s nothing quite like getting a homemade card in the mail, so why not spread the love this year by helping your kids make their own holiday cards?
Gather up some construction paper, markers, glitter, and glue, and let their imaginations run wild. You can even make it a competition to see who can come up with the most creative design.
Decorate the Christmas tree as a family.
When I was a child, my dad always put up our tree, then strung the lights and put on the tinsel. After that, he was so frustrated, he didn’t want to put on the ornaments! (IFKYK)
My brother, sister, and I had a favorite tradition of putting on the ornaments ourselves. It’s a fun Christmas activity for kids that we’ve all continued in our own families.
Listen to Christmas music.
Thanks to streaming services, you can now listen to Christmas music 24/7 any time of year. But there’s something special about listening to Christmas music together.
Create a fun playlist with everyone’s favorites. It’s a fun way to learn more about your kids, too. Surprisingly, one of my sons loves the song “Christmas Canon.” We all get excited when it comes on!
Look at Christmas lights.
What’s more fun at Christmas than looking at Christmas lights? Most towns have some sort of Christmas lights display or even a festival. Make it even more special by taking a thermos of hot chocolate and cookies to munch while you view!
Have a hot chocolate bar.
In the winter my kids drink hot chocolate nearly every day, but setting up a hot chocolate bar takes it to the next level. Make hot chocolate in your slow cooker, and serve it in pretty mugs with flavored marshmallows, chocolate chips, crushed peppermint, ice cream syrup, whipped cream–and anything else you can imagine.
Go caroling.
Caroling is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit! Gather your family and friends together and walk around your neighborhood singing Christmas carols. You can even bring along some holiday treats to give to your neighbors.
It’s also a wonderful act of service to perform for sick people or shut-ins from your church. You may even be able to visit a local retirement or nursing home to carol to the residents.
Attend a Christmas concert.
Many towns and cities offer holiday concerts during the Christmas season. These concerts are usually free or very affordable, and they’re a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Check your local newspaper, community Facebook groups, and high school websites to see what’s happening in your area.
Have a sleepover around the Christmas tree.
There’s just something magical about sleeping in front of the Christmas tree–and it’s even more fun if you turn it into a sleepover with sleeping bags. Make a night of it with Christmas music, hot chocolate, and Christmas games!
Make personalized gifts for loved ones.
One of the best things about Christmas is giving presents to our loved ones, so why not involve your kids in the gift-giving process this year? Brainstorm together about what each family member or friend might like, and then help them make or select personalized gifts that will really show how much you care.
Make salt dough ornaments.
Salt dough ornaments are easy and fun to make, and they make great gifts for family and friends. To make salt dough, simply mix together flour, salt, and water until it forms a doughy consistency.
Then, let your kids use cookie cutters or their hands to shape the dough into different ornament designs. Once they’re done shaping the ornaments, bake them in the oven until they’re hard. Once they’ve cooled, paint them however you like!
Make paper snowflakes.
Making paper snowflakes is a simple but fun activity that kids will love. All you need is some white paper and scissors, and your children can let their imaginations run wild as they create unique snowflakes. You can even hang them up around the house as decorations!
The holidays are a busy time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a little break to spend some quality time with your kids. Make lasting memories with your children this year and get into the holiday spirit with these fun kids’ activities.
Even in this busy season make sure to take time to enjoy your kids and cherish the moments together.
