The Most Wonderful Christmas Activities for Kids and Families
Fun family traditions to add to your holiday bucket list.
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The “most wonderful time of the year” is filled with many fun things for your family to do together.
The holidays are a magical time, especially with kids. Christmas is a time to create memories and strengthen family bonds through fun traditions and shared activities. The busyness of the season can make it hard to find time for everyone to come together, so family activities, big or small, can be a great way to relax and connect with each other amid the holiday rush.
Creating holiday traditions with your family can make the December holiday season feel even more special. Whether you’re looking to find holiday activities that you can turn into yearly traditions, or are looking for some new ideas to add to your tried-and-true favorites, this Christmas list is sure to inspire. It includes an assortment of ideas for all ages and interests, from cozy indoor options to outdoor adventures.
How will your family spend your Christmas holiday season? Use the list below for Christmas ideas and inspiration for creating your family’s own Christmas bucket list.
Christmas Activities for Kids and Families at Home
A collection of fun and festive Christmas activities to keep kids entertained and in the holiday spirit right at home.
1. Pick out a Christmas tree together and set it up at home
Head out to pick the perfect Christmas tree, turning it into a fun family outing filled with holiday anticipation. Bring your tree home, set it up in your tree stand, and give the branches some time to fall into place before doing activity #2! If you have an artificial tree, you can take it out of storage and set it up.
2. Decorate the Christmas tree
String holiday lights and hang ornaments on the Christmas tree together — it’s one of my favorite ways to kick off the holiday season with family.
3. Decorate your house for Christmas
Deck the halls with all of your favorite holiday decorations. It really makes your home feel so warm and festive for the season.
4. Hang your Christmas stockings by the fireplace
Hang your Christmas stockings and see everyone’s excitement grow in anticipation of Santa filling them up.
5. Do an advent calendar together daily
Try an advent calendar for a fun way to build excitement and count down the days together.
6. Listen to Christmas music
Put on some Christmas music and let it set the festive mood around the house all season long. I especially love listening to a Christmas music playlist while decorating the tree and while baking!
7. Read Christmas books together before bed
Snuggle up and read Christmas books together — it’s a nice way to end the evening and get into the spirit.
Related: Cozy Coastal Christmas Books to Add to Your Holiday Reading List
8. Bake and decorate Christmas cookies
Bake Christmas cookies and have a fun decorating them — they’re perfect for gifting, or, of course, enjoying them yourselves.
9. Take family pictures by your Christmas tree
Take some family photos while everyone’s feeling festive, whether it’s a professional shoot or just fun snaps on your phone. You can use the self-timer on your phone so everyone can be in the photo.
10. Do a holiday craft
Get creative with holiday crafts, which are fun for the kids, and you get some adorable homemade decorations to display.
11. Write a letter to Santa
Sit down and write letters to Santa together — it’s fun to see what everyone’s wishing for. If your children don’t mail the letters themselves, you can hide them somewhere safe and show them the letters when they’re older, for a fun look back into childhood magic.
12. Watch your favorite Christmas movies together
Curl up with your family’s favorite Christmas movies all season long. There’s nothing better for an easy, cozy family night.
13. Watch the Christmas episodes of your favorite TV shows
When you don’t have time for a movie or want to switch up what you’re watching, it’s fun to watch the holiday episodes of TV shows you and your family enjoy.
14. Make your own Christmas ornaments
Don’t forget to date them. It will be fun looking back on them as you decorate your Christmas tree in the future!
15. Put fun holiday notes in your child’s lunchbox
You can make your own or download a printable set to add some love and holiday spirit to their school day.
16. Eat a candy cane, or hang some on your tree
Candy canes are Christmas tradition that add a festive touch to decorations and holiday treats, so I love having them around to eat or use as decor. If you aren’t a fan of peppermint, they also make them in fruit flavors now!
17. Color a printable Christmas coloring page or in a Christmas coloring book
Grab a Christmas coloring book or printable coloring pages, put on some carols, and spend a relaxing afternoon coloring together.
18. Wrap Christmas gifts
Have fun wrapping gifts together for friends and relatives while listening to Christmas songs.
19. Make personalized homemade gift tags
Here’s one way to add a personal touch to your gift wrapping — your kids can make their own gift tags to use for gifts for friends and relatives. Another idea is for you to use personalized printable gift tags for your children’s gifts from Santa — like this festive DIY tag set.
20. Make hot chocolate with marshmallows
Whip up some hot chocolate and don’t forget to top it with marshmallows or whipped cream! It’s simple, cozy, and guaranteed to make everyone smile. You can also add a mini candy cane to make it extra festive.
21. Drink a glass of eggnog
Eggnog: you either love it or hate it. I feel like it’s not the holidays until I have at least one glass of eggnog. I get it from the grocery store during the holiday season, but you could also try making your own.
22. Fill your home with Christmas scents
Burn a holiday candle or make a simmer pot on the stove for that perfect Christmas scent throughout the house.
23. Decorate a gingerbread house
Build and decorate a gingerbread house, which is creative, messy, and way too much fun! You can make one from scratch or get a gingerbread house kit.
24. Wear family Christmas pajamas
Put on matching family Christmas pajamas for a cozy and silly memory everyone will enjoy. Don’t forget to take a photo!
25. Hang a holiday wreath on your front door
Hang a beautiful wreath on the door to share holiday cheer to everyone who passes by, and to welcome your family each time they return home.
26. Get visited from an Elf on the Shelf
If you’re up for it, do Elf on the Shelf. It can be a bit of work, but the kids’ reactions are so worth it!
27. Send out family Christmas cards
Make it a family project to write and mail Christmas cards to loved ones, bringing a little extra cheer to their mailboxes. This is also a good use of your family Christmas portrait (activity #9).
28. Call relatives to spread holiday cheer
The holiday season can be a lonely time, so give someone a call to say hello and that you were thinking of them! This is especially important for older relatives who live alone, like a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle.
29. Plan a special breakfast for Christmas morning
Make a special Christmas morning breakfast, like cinnamon rolls or a breakfast casserole. It adds to the magic of the day. You won’t want to spend all morning in the kitchen instead of sitting around the tree, so find a make-ahead recipe that you can have prepped in advance and just need to pop in the oven.
30. Leave milk and cookies for Santa
Set out milk and cookies for Santa — a great use of your homemade Christmas cookies (activity #8). Don’t forget a carrot or celery for the reindeer!
Christmas Activities for Kids and Families in Your Community
Enjoy festive outings and adventures with your kids through local activities that bring holiday magic.
31. Go see a holiday light display or light festival
Holiday light displays are a fun way to soak in all the season’s sparkle and cheer.
32. Go on a family Christmas scavenger hunt
Write a list of holiday-themed items — like Santa, a candy cane, a star, a train, reindeer, Santa’s sleigh, a snowflake, and more — and walk around your neighborhood or town center seeing if you can find decorations of everything on your list.
33. Go to a holiday concert in your community or at your church
Head to a holiday concert for festive songs and an outing that’ll put everyone in a good mood.
34. Visit Santa
Make a visit to see Santa at your local shopping center or community event, and get a cute photo of the kids.
35. Go to a holiday craft market
Visit a holiday craft fair and support local artisans — there are so many unique finds to discover, which can make for great Christmas gifts for a relative, neighbor, or your child’s teacher.
For more teacher gift ideas, check out Where to Find the Best Teacher Gift Cards, and 35 Amazing Teacher Gift Ideas (That They Really Want).
36. Sing Christmas carols in the car, or go caroling with a group
Try Christmas caroling with the family — it’s a fun way to spread joy, even if you’re just singing to each other.
37. Wear festive Christmas clothing
Wear festive clothing to a holiday party, school, or work, like fun socks, or a cute or “ugly” Christmas sweater. It’s a little silly, but a great way to spread Christmas cheer!
38. Visit the biggest Christmas tree in your town or city
Visit a big Christmas tree — there’s just something so magical about seeing a huge tree with twinkling lights.
39. Donate to a local animal shelter
I’m a big supporter of making donations around the holidays if you’re able to. It can be a tough time for many, including local animal shelters. You can easily donate something from the shelter’s wish list (many shelters have an Amazon or Chewy wish list linked from their website or social media), or a monetary gift donation through their website (should be tax deductible), or for something that won’t cost you anything, see if they’re in need of old towels, blankets, or newspapers.
40. Donate a gift or toy to a holiday gift drive
Donate something to a holiday gift drive — such a meaningful way to spread the holiday spirit to those in need. You can involve your kids by having them help choose a toy and dropping it off together.
41. Donate food to a holiday food drive
Gather some canned goods and drop them off at a food drive to help make the season brighter for local families.
42. Donate toys you’ve outgrown
Gather toys you no longer use and donate them to a charity organization to make room for new gifts.
43. Go ice skating
Head out for some ice skating — it’s fun to skate around while they play holiday songs, and a great way to enjoy winter together.
44. Drive around to look at local houses decorated in Christmas lights
Drive around town to see the Christmas lights — also a great opportunity to listen to Christmas music (activity #6) and sing along (activity #36) and enjoy the magic of the season from the car.
45. Go to the theater to see A Christmas Carol, or another holiday show
Check out a local performance of A Christmas Carol or another holiday play for a charming and festive outing the whole family will enjoy.
Save This List of Christmas Activities for Kids and Families
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Christmas Activities for Kids and Families
Making time for family moments and traditions during the holidays brings everyone closer together. Even the simplest activities can turn into cherished memories that last for years.
Choose the Christmas activities that feel right for your family, whether that means cozying up at home or going on a festive outing. Mixing and matching a few different types of activities adds flexibility and makes it easy to keep the holiday season fun and stress-free.
Remember, the heart of the holidays is all about spending meaningful time with those we love. Make this season truly memorable by focusing on family, fun, and togetherness — those are the moments you’ll cherish for years to come.
What are your favorite family Christmas activities for kids? Share your thoughts in the comments.
