Get the whole family involved with these Christmas activities for kids. Activities and traditions are what make Christmas memorable. They bond your family even closer together, setting you up for success in the new year!
Activity #1: Christmas Story Time
This is a super easy Christmas activity for kids. We already read stories to our little humans at night, so there is no additional time this takes out of our day.
I go to the thrift store and buy 25 books. (They are so cheap there and then if you do not like them, you can re-thrift them.) I wrap up each book and put it in our little red wagon. You can use a special basket or some other container.
Each night one of my kids gets to choose a book and unwrap it. My husband or I then reads them the book. It is a great way to try out new books that you may not have otherwise.
If you want Christmas specific books, get started by checking out: 12 Kid Christmas Books: Our favorites for a Magical Holiday
Activity #2: Holiday Scavenger Hunt
This Holiday Scavenger Hunt is a great Christmas Activity for kids. It is for kids that are a little older, but still has you interacting with you littlest children.
Each Christmas I print out a chart of unique Christmas items that we see when we are out and about. Examples: A Christmas Tree, Santa, Sleigh, Red Bows, etc. I give each child one of these charts.
During the month of December the checks off each item as they spot it in our community. They write (or mommy helps write) where they saw each item. On Christmas Day they get a small prize/treat for each item they found on the list.
Activity #3: Christmas Morning Breakfast
Christmas morning breakfast is one of my favorite meals of the year. Each child in our home is assigned to help with preparing one item in the meal. We plan the breakfast as a family.
This takes a lot forethought and I do a lot of the preparation beforehand, but it is such a special way to help everyone feel involved on Christmas.
Preparation is key. A lot of the breakfast my child and I will prepare a couple days before. Any items that need prepared the day of I will assign myself, my spouse, or an older child to that item. The tiny humans are usually too distract (and maybe overstimulated) after the opening of gifts.
Activity #4: Christmas Eve Box
You can add whatever you want to your Christmas Eve Box. Your kids will love the memories that they will gather from year to year as they open the Christmas Eve Box. Wrap it up nice and bring it out on Christmas Eve.
I love our Christmas Eve Box. Most of its contents do not change year to year. We have a book that we read every Christmas Eve and candles that we light as we sing Christmas songs.
Each year we also add a special treat to eat while my husband reads the book. This year we are doing caramel popcorn.
Activity #5: Polar Express Pajama Party
The Polar Express is a Christmas classic (the book and the movie!). This is a great time to open Christmas Pajamas and start eating those special holiday treats.
In our home, the first Saturday we open Christmas Pajamas and read the Polar Express book. The next day we make some yummy treats and watch the movie.
Nothing too fancy, but this is one of those Christmas activities for kids that we look forward to every year.
Activity #6: Homemade Secret Santa
Homemade Secret Santa is a great Christmas tradition if you want your kids to think of thoughtful gifts for their siblings. This can involve your littlest family member to your oldest family. It just takes a little thought.
Have each member of your family draw a name of another family member. We do this right after Thanksgiving. Because it is secret and homemade making sure there is enough time is important.
Each person is then responsible for making a handmade gift for the family member they drew. They present this to their sibling, parent, or child on Christmas!
You may need to help some of your children brainstorm. Especially if this is the first time your family has done an activity like this.
Activity #7: Toy Donation
Toy donation is a great activity to remind us to be grateful and to think of others this holiday season. It cultivates generosity and kindness. In order to prepare for the influx of toys that may be about to enter your home, take the time to donate toys to those in need.
Have each child go through some of their toys and pick ones they no longer use. Take the time to explain to them why donating toys is a great activity at Christmas.
If all toys are communal in your home (like they are in ours), do this activity as a family).
Activity #8: Hot Cocoa Bar
A Hot Cocoa Bar is fun and easy activity you can do any night. We choose to do ours the first night of winter break.
Just buy some hot cocoa and some fun toppings. We have special Christmas mugs we use for this activity. Set the toppings out and have each child (or help each child) make a cup of hot cocoa.
We usually do this on a night we are playing a game or watching a Christmas movie. Popcorn is a fun treat to go with the hot cocoa.
Activity #9: Holiday Light Tour
If we are talking about easy Christmas activities for kids I think this one tops the list for me. Just make sure the car is filled up with gas!
Load the kids in the car, turn on some holiday music and visit a couple of neighborhoods in your area that have some fun Christmas lights. Some people really go all out.
There are also some communities and towns that have special light shows and displays. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for those.
Activity #10: Christmas Ornament Hunt
The Christmas Ornament Hunt is a fun on for kids (and requires some preparation for the mama. I guess this is why some people call Christmas the “Superbowl for Mom. Remember not to overwhelm yourself, just pick a couple of manageable activities every year.)
Write each child’s name on an ornament. Hide these ornaments around the house. Of course the difficulty of hiding should be equal to the child’s ability to find the ornament. When the child finds their ornament, they get a prize!
I do this four times before Christmas. I hide the ornaments the four Sundays before Christmas. While the kids are loaded in the car for church I scurry around and hide them.
They search for them after we get back from church and they hang up their clothes. This is a perfect time for me to make lunch. They present me their ornament at lunch and get a small treat afterwards.
Hopefully, there are a couple of these Christmas activities for kids you can integrate into your busy holiday season. Share any activities or traditions you have in your family below in the comments!
Remember, DO NOT overwhelm yourself. Let Christmas be a little magical for you too!
Enjoyed this? Check out more Christmas content:
Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers | Little Gifts for Christmas Magic
12 Kid Christmas Books: Our favorites for a Magical Holiday
10 Musical Gift Ideas for your Child that Loves Music
Christmas Songs for Kids with FREE and Festive Printables
Check out the latest from “The First Investor”:
Leave a Comment