This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
The holiday season is the perfect time for family fun! With so many Christmas activities for kids available, it can be hard to decide which ones to do. To help you narrow down the options, we’ve compiled a list of the best and most exciting Christmas activities for kids. From crafting to baking, this guide will give you plenty of ideas for activities that your children will love. Keep reading to learn more about how you can make your kid’s holiday season extra special!
Decking the Halls: Decorating Ideas for Kids
‘Tis the season to deck the halls and make your home merry and bright! When it comes to Christmas activities for kids, there’s nothing quite like getting the little ones involved in decorating the house. Not only does it get them into the holiday spirit, but it also creates lasting memories for years to come. Whether you have toddlers or older children, there are plenty of fun Christmas ideas to make your home festive and magical.
One of the best ways to get kids involved in decorating is by letting them create their own ornaments. Set up a craft station with plain wooden or foam ornaments, paint, glitter, and stickers. Let their imaginations run wild as they design their own unique ornaments. This is a great activity for toddlers, as it allows them to explore different textures and colors. Plus, you’ll have personalized ornaments to hang on the tree for years to come!
Another fun Christmas activity for kids is creating a holiday wreath. Gather some foam wreath forms, pipe cleaners, and a variety of festive decorations like ribbon, bells, and small ornaments. Let your kids wrap the pipe cleaners around the wreath form and attach their chosen decorations. Hang the wreaths on their bedroom doors or use them to adorn different areas of the house. This is a great way to let your kids showcase their creativity and add a touch of holiday cheer to your home.
If you’re looking for a more interactive decorating activity, consider setting up a Christmas village with your kids. You can purchase miniature houses, figurines, and other accessories on Amazon. We have added a couple of cute options below! Let your children arrange the pieces and create their own little winter wonderland. This is a fantastic way to spark their imagination and keep them entertained for hours.
For those with older kids, a fun idea is to create a Christmas photo booth. Set up a backdrop with festive photobooth props. Provide a camera or smartphone for your kids to take pictures with their friends and family. A tripod and camera for your smartphone will make taking pictures super easy. Not only will this activity result in some hilarious and memorable photos, but it’s also a great way to capture the holiday spirit.
Crafty Christmas: DIY Projects for Kids
When it comes to Christmas activities for kids, nothing beats getting crafty and creating homemade decorations and gifts. Not only is it a fun way to spend quality time together, but it also allows children to express their creativity and make something special that they can be proud of. Whether you have toddlers or older children, there are plenty of fun and festive Christmas DIY projects that will keep them entertained and engaged.
One of the best things about DIY projects is that they can be tailored to different age groups and skill levels. For toddlers, simple crafts like paper plate Christmas trees or handprint reindeer ornaments are perfect. These activities help develop their fine motor skills and allow them to explore different textures and materials. Plus, you’ll have adorable keepsakes to cherish for years to come.
If you have older kids, there are endless possibilities for more complex DIY projects. They can create their own personalized Christmas stockings by decorating plain stockings with fabric paint, glitter, and sequins, or by coloring in these DIY stockings. This is a great opportunity for them to showcase their unique style and add a personal touch to their holiday decor.
Another fun idea is to make DIY snow globes. There are some great kits on Amazon, or you can gather some small jars, plastic figurines, glitter, and glycerin. Let your kids choose their favorite figurines and glue them to the inside of the jar lid. Then, fill the jar with water, add a sprinkle of glitter, and a few drops of glycerin to make the glitter swirl and fall slowly. Screw the lid back on tightly and flip the jar over to create a magical snow globe effect. Your kids will love shaking the snow globes and watching the glitter dance around.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even try making homemade Christmas ornaments from scratch. Salt dough ornaments are easy and fun to make. Mix together flour, salt, and water to create a dough. Roll it out and let your kids use cookie cutters to make different shapes. Once they’re done, bake the ornaments in the oven and let them cool. Then, your kids can paint and decorate them however they like. These ornaments will not only add a personal touch to your tree, but they will also become cherished memories.
Gingerbread Fun: Baking Activities for Kids
When it comes to Christmas activities for kids, baking is always a hit! The sweet aroma of gingerbread, the joy of decorating cookies, and the excitement of creating delicious treats together make for unforgettable holiday memories. Whether you have little ones or older kids, there are plenty of baking activities that will get the whole family into the holiday spirit.
One of the most classic Christmas baking activities is making gingerbread cookies. This activity is perfect for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. Not only will your kids have a blast mixing the dough and cutting out their favorite shapes, but they’ll also love decorating the cookies with icing and sprinkles. The best part? They can enjoy their tasty creations afterward!
If you’re looking for a more challenging baking project, why not try making a gingerbread house? This activity is a great way to engage your older kids and let their creativity shine. Start by making the gingerbread dough and cutting out the house pieces. Then, let your kids assemble and decorate the house using icing, candies, and other edible decorations. There are also some great gingerbread house kits on Amazon if you aren’t much into baking. It’s a fun and festive project that will keep your kids entertained for hours.
For a simpler baking activity, consider making holiday-themed cupcakes. Let your kids choose their favorite flavors and help you mix the batter. Then, get creative with the decorations! Use colored icing, festive sprinkles, and even small edible decorations like mini Santa hats or candy canes. Your kids will have a blast turning plain cupcakes into little works of art.
If you have toddlers, there are still plenty of fun Christmas baking activities that they can participate in. Let them help you measure and pour ingredients, and give them a spoon or whisk to mix the batter. You can also opt for simpler recipes like sugar cookies or no-bake treats that don’t require oven time. The important thing is to involve them in the process and let them feel like they’re contributing.
Game On: Entertaining Indoor Games for Kids
Now that the halls are decked, the crafts are made, and the cookies are baked, it’s time to bring on the indoor games for some festive fun! When the weather outside is frightful, there’s nothing better than gathering the family together for some entertaining activities that will keep the Christmas spirit alive. Whether you have toddlers or older kids, there are plenty of exciting games to keep everyone entertained and engaged during the holiday season.
One of the classic indoor games for Christmas is a scavenger hunt. Create a list of Christmas-themed items or clues and hide them around the house. Divide your family into teams and let the competition begin! If you’re short on time, there some awesome premade Christmas themed scavenger hunts on Amazon that you can use instead. The excitement of searching for hidden treasures will bring out the competitive spirit in everyone. And don’t forget to include some small surprises or treats along the way to make it even more exciting.
If you’re looking for a game that is more interactive, why not try a Christmas-themed charades? Write down various Christmas-related words or phrases on small pieces of paper and place them in a hat or bowl. Each player takes turns drawing a piece of paper and has to act out the word or phrase without speaking. It’s a hilarious and entertaining game that will have everyone laughing and guessing.
For younger kids, a Christmas memory matching game is a great option. Create your own game by printing out or drawing pictures of Christmas-related items like Santa, presents, reindeer, and candy canes. Cut them out and place them face-down on a table or the floor. Players take turns flipping over two cards at a time to try and make a match. The player with the most matches at the end wins!
Another fun and festive game for kids of all ages is a snowball toss. Create a target using a large bowl or basket and mark different point values on the floor. Have your kids scrunch up pieces of white paper to make snowballs and take turns tossing them into the target. For a more realistic feel, you can buy these fake snowballs and this snowman target. The player with the highest score after a certain number of tosses wins!
The Great Outdoors: Outdoor Christmas Activities for Kids
Now that we’ve covered the indoor Christmas activities, let’s move on to the great outdoors! There’s nothing quite like getting outside and enjoying the festive atmosphere during the holiday season. And lucky for you, there are plenty of outdoor Christmas activities for kids that will keep them entertained and in the holiday spirit. From toddlers to older children, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
One of the best things about outdoor activities is that they allow kids to burn off some energy while enjoying the fresh air. For toddlers, a fun Christmas activity is going on a holiday lights scavenger hunt. Take a stroll around your neighborhood or local park and look for houses decorated with twinkling lights and festive displays. Your little ones will be in awe of the colorful lights and it’s a great opportunity for them to practice their counting skills as they try to find different types of decorations.
If you’re looking for more interactive outdoor Christmas activities, why not organize a festive nature walk? Take your kids to a nearby park or nature reserve and go on a hunt for natural Christmas treasures. Look for pinecones, twigs, and leaves that can be used for crafting later on. You can even turn it into a game and see who can find the most interesting natural items. Once you’ve gathered your treasures, take them home and let your kids get creative with them by making ornaments or wreaths.
For older kids, a fun outdoor Christmas activity is ice skating. Many towns and cities have outdoor ice rinks that open during the holiday season. Strap on your skates and glide across the ice while enjoying the festive atmosphere. It’s a great way to get some exercise and make lasting memories with your children.
Another fun idea for outdoor Christmas activities is to have a snowman-building contest. If you’re lucky enough to have a snowy Christmas, gather your kids and see who can build the best snowman. Get creative with accessories like hats, scarves, and buttons. They even sell snowman kits on Amazon that you can buy! This activity is sure to bring lots of laughter and friendly competition.
A Merry Movie Night: Family-Friendly Christmas Films to Watch with Kids
After a long day of decorating, crafting, baking, and playing games, it’s time to wind down and enjoy a cozy movie night with your kids. And what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by watching some family-friendly Christmas films? There’s something magical about snuggling up on the couch, sipping hot cocoa, and getting lost in the heartwarming stories and festive adventures on the screen.
Check out our post on 38 Family Friendly Christmas Movies to find the perfect one!
When it comes to Christmas activities for toddlers and kids of all ages, a movie night is a classic and beloved tradition. Not only does it provide a chance to relax and unwind, but it also allows the whole family to come together and enjoy some quality time. So grab your favorite Christmas blanket, gather some popcorn, and get ready for a jolly good time!
The holiday season is a magical time for kids, filled with wonder, excitement, and joy. And what better way to make their Christmas extra special than by engaging them in a variety of fun and festive activities? From decorating the house to crafting homemade ornaments, baking delicious treats to playing entertaining games, there are so many wonderful Christmas activities for kids to enjoy.
[…] CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON EXTRAORDINARY […]