Last December, I found myself standing in Target at 7 PM on a Tuesday night with my two kids whining that they were “bored” while Christmas music played overhead. We had a tree decorated, stockings hung, and a calendar full of holiday events, yet somehow we still weren’t making the season feel special.
That’s when I realized the problem wasn’t the decorations or even the events—it was that I wasn’t being intentional about creating actual experiences and memories. I was just going through the motions of Christmas without truly celebrating it with my kids.
So I got real about what fun Christmas activities for kids actually meant in our house. Not Instagram-perfect moments, but genuine, messy, joyful experiences that my kids would actually remember. The kind of traditions that make them wake up excited and ask, “When can we do that again?”
If you’re ready to transform your holiday season from chaotic to magical with fun Christmas activities for kids that your family will actually look forward to, I’ve got you covered with everything that’s worked for us and dozens of other families.
Why Fun Christmas Activities for Kids Matter So Much
Here’s what I didn’t expect when I started being more intentional about holiday activities: my kids’ entire relationship with Christmas changed.
They stopped fixating on presents. They stopped counting down the days until Christmas morning. Instead, they started asking questions like “When do we get to do hot chocolate and movie night?” and “Can we make cookies again this year?” The holidays became about shared experiences rather than material things.
Research from child development experts shows that children build their holiday memories not from what they receive, but from what they do together as a family. The activities, the traditions, the time spent together—these are what create lasting joy and holiday magic. Plus, engaging kids in meaningful Christmas activities helps them develop creativity, patience, and a sense of contribution to family traditions.
The best part? Fun Christmas activities for kids don’t have to be expensive, complicated, or require a Pinterest-perfect aesthetic. They just need to create moments of connection and wonder.
The Biggest Mistake I Made With Christmas Activities
My first instinct was to do too much. I planned elaborate activities every single day from December 1st through December 25th. Gingerbread house decorating, Christmas movie marathons, visit to Santa, caroling, cookie decorating, letter writing to Christmas characters, elf on the shelf games, holiday shopping, wrapping parties—you name it, I scheduled it.
By December 15th, I was exhausted. My kids were overstimulated. And honestly? Nobody was having fun anymore. It had become another thing on the to-do list instead of something joyful.
I learned that the magic happens in the space between activities, not in the constant busyness. My kids remembered the quiet moments of sipping hot chocolate and talking about what Christmas meant to them more than they remembered the fancy outing to a holiday event.
Now I plan one or two structured activities per week and let the rest happen naturally. That’s when the real Christmas magic appears.
60+ Fun Christmas Activities for Kids (Organized by Type)
Here’s my comprehensive list of activities that have created genuine holiday memories in our house and in families I know. Pick what sounds fun and skip the rest.
Cozy Indoor Holiday Activities
These are perfect for cold winter days and create the atmosphere of Christmas without leaving home.
Hot Chocolate Bar – Set up a special station with different hot chocolate options: peppermint, white chocolate, caramel, and regular. Add marshmallows, whipped cream, candy canes, and sprinkles. Let kids customize their own mugs. This takes fifteen minutes to set up but creates an hour of cozy joy.
Christmas Movie Marathon – Pick one or two family-friendly Christmas movies and make it an event. Popcorn, blankets, hot chocolate, and nowhere to be. Some families do this weekly throughout December. Our favorites include “Elf,” “The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Story,” and “Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Cookie Decorating Station – Bake sugar cookies ahead of time and set up a decorating station with frosting, sprinkles, edible glitter, and candy. Let kids go wild. The cookies don’t have to look perfect—that’s the whole point.
Gingerbread House Building – Whether you build from scratch or use a kit, this activity mesmerizes kids. They’re focused, creative, and proud of their creation. Plus, you get to eat your handiwork when it’s done.
DIY Ornament Decorating – Buy clear plastic ornaments and let kids fill them with glitter, fake snow, confetti, or small toys. They’re inexpensive, the kids feel like they’re creating something special, and you end up with personalized decorations.
Build a Blanket Fort – Grab every pillow and blanket in the house and build a cozy fort. Inside, watch movies, read Christmas stories, or just snuggle together. This costs nothing, and kids absolutely love it.
Christmas Baking Marathon – Make multiple types of cookies, fudge, or candies throughout December. Different recipes each time, if possible. Invite a neighbor or cousin to make it even more special. SplashLearn offers creative baking ideas that work perfectly for holiday activities with measurements kids can understand.
Paper Snowflake Cutting – Provide white paper and scissors, and let kids create snowflakes. Tape them to windows, mirrors, and walls. It’s simple, creative, and transforms your home into a winter wonderland.
Christmas Sing-Along – Gather around a device playing Christmas carols and sing together. Yes, it’ll sound rough. Yes, your kids might be off-key. That’s what makes it perfect. Some families do this over breakfast, others do it before bed.
Decorate the Tree Together – Don’t just put the tree up and decorate it while kids watch. Make it an activity. Play music, give everyone their own section, laugh at the lopsided ornaments, and take photos of the process.
Craft-Based Christmas Activities
Kids love creating things, especially during the holiday season. These activities combine fun with a finished product they’re proud of.
Handmade Gift Wrapping – Use brown kraft paper and let kids decorate it with stamps, markers, stickers, and drawings. The wrapped presents become part of the gift. It’s personalized and meaningful in a way store-bought paper never is.
Christmas Countdown Calendar – Create an Advent calendar using paper bags, boxes, or envelopes. Fill each with a small activity, treat, or reminder for each day of December. Our family puts things like “movie night,” “make cookies,” “build a fort,” or small toys.
Painted Flower Pot Santas – Stack three terracotta pots upside down to create a Santa shape, then paint and decorate. Kids love this because it’s simple but looks impressive.
Clothespin Reindeer – Create reindeer from clothespins, pom-poms, and craft supplies. These make great ornaments or gifts for grandparents. They’re easy enough for even toddlers with help.
Paper Plate Wreaths – Use paper plates as the base and let kids glue on green tissue paper, red pom-poms, and ribbon to create wreaths. Hang them on bedroom doors or give them as gifts.
Thumbprint Ornaments – Use thumbprints to create designs on ceramic or wooden ornaments with paint markers. Kids get to be artists, and you end up with keepsakes showing their progress each year.
Popsicle Stick Cabin or Nativity – Use popsicle sticks to create small structures. This requires more focus, but older kids love the challenge. Display them throughout your home as part of your Christmas decor.
Salt Dough Ornaments – Make salt dough, let kids shape it into ornaments, bake, and paint. We use our salt dough recipe for kids as the base. These become treasured keepsakes over the years.
Handprint Canvas Art – Create Christmas-themed art using handprints. Reindeer made from handprints, Christmas trees made from handprints—the possibilities are endless. Frame them or give them as gifts.
Garland Making – Use paper chains, popcorn strings, or cranberry garlands. Stringing together popcorn and cranberries is meditative, and the garland looks beautiful on the tree.
Outdoor Winter Activities
Get outside and embrace the winter season with these activities.
Sledding and Snow Play – Classic for a reason. Sledding, building snowmen, making snow angels, snow forts—if you have snow, these are free entertainment that never gets old.
Neighborhood Holiday Lights Drive – Bundle up, hop in the car, and drive around looking at decorated houses. Bring hot chocolate and make it cozy. Some families do this weekly throughout December.
Nature Scavenger Hunt – Look for holiday materials in nature: pine cones, evergreen branches, berries, and interesting sticks. Bring them home and use them in crafts or decorations.
Outdoor Wreath Making – Combine outdoor treasures into a wreath. Pine cones, branches, berries, dried flowers, and ribbon. Hang it on your front door.
Winter Bird Feeding – Make bird feeders from pinecones and peanut butter, or simply fill bird feeders. Sit and watch birds visit. Talk about how animals survive winter and how we can help them.
Christmas Tree Farm Visit – Visit a local tree farm where you can cut your own tree or just walk around. Many have hot chocolate and a festive atmosphere.
Caroling in Your Neighborhood – Visit neighbors’ homes and sing Christmas carols. Most people love this, and kids feel proud of contributing to spreading holiday cheer.
Baking and Cooking Activities
Food brings people together, and holiday cooking is a beautiful way to create memories.
Candy Cane Bark – Melt white or dark chocolate, spread on parchment paper, crush candy canes on top, and freeze. Kids love this because it’s simple and tastes amazing.
Peppermint Bark – Layer dark and white chocolate, top with crushed peppermint candy. Similar to above, but looks fancy and tastes like Christmas.
Fudge Making – Make easy stovetop fudge and let kids help. Cut into squares and package as gifts. We make several flavors: classic chocolate, peanut butter, and peppermint.
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix – Mix cocoa powder, powdered sugar, mini marshmallows, and candy canes in a jar. Label and give as gifts or keep for your own hot chocolate bar.
Gingerbread People – Make gingerbread dough, cut out shapes, and decorate with frosting and candies. These are more forgiving than gingerbread houses and just as fun.
Christmas Pretzels – Dip pretzels in melted chocolate and add sprinkles or crushed candy canes. Let dry on parchment paper. Inexpensive, looks impressive, tastes delicious.
Popcorn Balls – Pop popcorn and mix with marshmallow mixture, shape into balls. Add food coloring for Christmas colors. Kids can help form them and eat several in the process.
Reindeer Food – Mix oats with gold or silver edible glitter. Tell kids it’s to feed Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve. They scatter it on the lawn on Christmas night.
Sugar Cookie Kits – Make ahead dough, cut, partially bake, then have a decorating party. Everyone gets to decorate multiple cookies. Check out our easy cupcake recipe for kids technique—the same decorating principle works beautifully for cookies.
Brownies or Blondies – Simple to make, delicious, and gifting them to neighbors or teachers makes kids feel generous. Let them help mix, bake, and package.
Active Games and Traditions
Get everyone moving and create traditions that build anticipation year after year.
Christmas Scavenger Hunt – Hide small gifts or treats around the house. Give kids clues to find them. We do this on Christmas Eve evening.
Jingle Bell Ring Toss – Hang jingle bells and try to ring them with a stick or wand. Simple game, but kids play for hours.
Pin the Star on the Tree – Similar to pin the tail on the donkey, but with a Christmas theme. Works great at holiday parties.
Christmas Charades – Act out Christmas movies, songs, or activities. Hilarious and creative. If you need more game ideas, our collection of would you rather questions for kids can be adapted to Christmas themes.
Elf on the Shelf Adventures – If you do this tradition, create different scenarios for your elf each night. Kids wake up excited to see what mischief the elf got into.
Christmas Dance Party – Put on Christmas music and have a dance-off. Award silly prizes. Kids get wiggles out, and everyone laughs.
Relay Races with Holiday Props – Have races holding candy canes, wearing Santa hats, or carrying wrapped boxes. Simple fun that creates memories and laughter.
Build and Decorate with Holiday LEGO – If your kids have LEGOs, challenge them to build holiday creations. Display throughout the house.
Giving and Service Activities
Teaching kids about giving during the holidays creates meaning beyond presents.
Toy Drive Collection – Collect toys from home that your kids have outgrown and donate to children in need. Talk about how these toys will make other kids happy.
Neighbor Gift Baskets – Create simple gift baskets with homemade cookies, treats, and a handwritten card. Deliver to neighbors, teachers, or the postal worker.
Holiday Caroling at a Nursing Home – Visit a local nursing home and sing Christmas carols. The residents light up, and kids see the impact of their effort. PBS Parents has wonderful resources about teaching kids service and empathy during the holidays.
Shovel or Rake Leaves for Elderly Neighbors – Help neighbors with holiday yard work as a gift. Kids learn that kindness doesn’t always come in a box.
Fill a Food Bank Box – Let kids choose non-perishable items to donate to a local food bank. They feel proud of contributing to their community.
Write Cards for Soldiers – Many organizations facilitate this. Kids draw pictures or write messages to service members. It’s meaningful and age-appropriate.
Volunteer as a Family – Serve at a soup kitchen, help wrap gifts at a shelter, or assist with a community Christmas event. Even young kids can participate in age-appropriate ways.
Special Experiences Worth the Splurge
Some activities cost a bit but create memories that last forever.
Holiday Matinee Movie – Take kids to see a holiday movie in the theater. The big screen, the popcorn, the shared experience—totally worth it.
Holiday Decorations Drive – Some cities have amazing holiday light displays. Pack snacks and make an evening of it.
Visit to Santa – A classic tradition. Whether it’s at a local mall or a special Christmas event, kids love meeting Santa and sitting on his lap.
Holiday Festival or Fair – Many communities have Christmas festivals with activities, entertainment, food, and holiday magic. Check local listings.
Ice Skating – If you have a skating rink nearby, this is a classic holiday activity. Rent skates, hold hands for balance, fall down (part of the fun), and enjoy the winter atmosphere.
Holiday Theater Production – Many communities put on performances of “The Nutcracker” or other holiday shows. Dress up, go out for a special dinner first, and make it fancy.
Christmas Tree Farm Adventure – Visit a farm where you can cut your own tree, pet farm animals, drink hot cider, and take photos with holiday props.
Train Ride to See Santa – Some areas offer holiday train rides. The novelty of the train, combined with the seasonal scenery, is magic for kids.
How to Make Fun Christmas Activities for Kids Actually Happen
Here’s the truth: activities only matter if you actually do them. I’ve learned these things the hard way:
Pick 3-4 Core Activities and Repeat Them – Don’t try to do everything. Choose a few that resonate with your family and do them consistently. These become your traditions.
Schedule Them – Put them on the calendar. Friday night movie night, Saturday afternoon baking, Sunday walk to see lights. When it’s scheduled, it actually happens.
Let Kids Anticipate – Talk about upcoming activities. “Next Tuesday we’re decorating cookies” creates excitement all week.
Make It Simple – The best activities are often the simplest. Hot chocolate, movie, blanket fort—these don’t require elaborate setup but create huge memories.
Go with the Flow – If an activity flops, move on without guilt. If something unexpected becomes fun, lean into it.
Document Minimally – Take a few photos, but don’t let picture-taking interfere with actually enjoying the moment. Your kids won’t remember if you got the perfect shot, but they’ll remember if you were present.
Age-Appropriate Fun Christmas Activities for Kids
For Toddlers (Ages 1-3):
- Sensory activities: touching ornaments, hearing jingle bells, smelling cinnamon
- Simple decorating: stickers on paper, taping up paper snowflakes
- Cooking together: mixing, stirring, tasting
- Watching Christmas movies (short attention span friendly)
- Going to see the holiday lights
For Preschoolers (Ages 3-5):
- Cookie and craft decorating
- Building blanket forts
- Making ornaments
- Singing and dancing to Christmas music
- Visiting Santa
- Simple baking with lots of help
For Early Elementary (Ages 5-8):
- Gingerbread house building
- Ornament making
- Helping with cookie baking
- Visiting holiday festivals
- Watching longer Christmas movies
- Participating in caroling
For Older Kids (Ages 9+):
- More complex crafting projects
- Taking the lead in baking
- Wrapping presents
- Planning gift-giving projects
- Watching longer holiday movies
- Volunteering in the community
Christmas Activities for Different Family Situations
Single Parents – Don’t try to do everything. Pick activities that are meaningful to you and your child. Quality over quantity.
Blended Families – Use activities to create new traditions that feel unique to your blended family. Don’t try to replicate what each parent did separately.
Busy Families – Focus on activities that happen during regular routines: decorating cookies on Saturday, movie night on Friday, etc.
Families with Limited Resources – The best activities (blanket forts, movie nights, baking) cost little to nothing. Remember that kids care about time with you more than anything else.
Families with Sensory-Sensitive Kids – Skip loud events or pick quieter times. Do crafts at home rather than in crowded venues. Modify activities to work for your child’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best age to start Christmas traditions with kids?
You can start anytime, but having consistent traditions becomes more meaningful around age 3-4 when kids have memory retention. That said, even with babies and toddlers, doing the same activities each year creates patterns they’ll remember as they get older. Don’t wait for a “perfect” age—start now with whatever feels manageable for your family.
How do I balance screen time with Christmas activities?
It’s okay to watch Christmas movies. One or two per week isn’t excessive. Balance movie nights with active, creative, and interactive activities. Some families do a movie night once a week and fill the rest of the days with other activities. Find what feels right for your family’s values and stick with it.
What if I don’t have much money for Christmas activities?
The best activities cost nothing or very little: movie nights, baking, crafting, playing games, building forts, outdoor play, and caroling. Your kids will remember time with you far more than any paid experience. Free activities often create the best memories anyway.
How do I introduce new activities without overwhelming my kids?
Pick one new activity to introduce per week, maximum. Let kids get comfortable with it before adding another. Repetition and consistency matter more than variety. A few activities done repeatedly create stronger traditions than many different activities.
What if my kids refuse to participate in activities?
Don’t force it. Extend the invitation, but let them opt out if they want. Sometimes kids need low-pressure options. Instead of “We’re making cookies,” try “We’re setting up to make cookies if you want to help.” Kids are more likely to participate when they feel they have agency.
How do I make Christmas activities special without spending lots of money?
It’s all about presentation and intentionality. Use tablecloths, light candles, play music, involve everyone, and take photos. These things cost nothing but make ordinary activities feel special and celebratory.