Kids’ ages sort this list faster than anything else, because a big age gap rarely works at one table; choose a project both can handle, or give the older child the fiddly cutting and piping while the younger one sprinkles and glues.
The list runs from free evenings like looking at Christmas lights to bigger projects like gingerbread house decorating, and many of them work at home with paper, fabric scraps and store-bought sweets.
Budget and time trim the list further, since a pricey or rushed plan can turn a cozy evening into a stressful one.
1. Gingerbread House Decorating
Chocolate gingerbread gives a house a darker, richer base than the usual tan, and white icing stands out against it like snow on a roof. Set out small bowls of candies so every kid can reach them without a fight.
Icing is the glue and the paint, so make it thick enough to hold its shape. Let the walls sit a few minutes before piling on the decorations.
A house that is already built saves the most time, and the decorating is where the fun is anyway.
2. Decorate Christmas Tree
Lights go on first, always. Trying to string them around a tree that already has ornaments on it ends in tangles and some grumbling.
I give the youngest ones the shatterproof ornaments and let them claim the bottom third of the tree, then handle the fragile glass myself once I can reach higher without small hands nearby.
Red ornaments against warm white lights look classic, and a tree you already own costs nothing extra.
Wrapped gifts can wait until the tree is finished, so the floor stays clear while everyone works.
3. Create Snow Globes
A glass jar, a small figure and glitter make a snow globe, and the jar lid becomes the base once you flip it over.
A miniature Santa works well because he reads clearly through the glass even when the glitter swirls.
Glue the figure to the inside of the lid and let it dry fully before adding water. Waterproof glue is the safer pick.
Kids can each make one, which makes them cheap, keepable gifts for grandparents.
4. Create a Holiday Scrapbook
Page by page, a scrapbook turns one December into something you can flip through years later.
Lettering like "JOY" gives a page a clear focal point, and a fabric scrap, a paper tree or tiny paper gift boxes add texture without special supplies.
Keep it simple: one page per activity, with a ticket stub, a drawing or a printed snapshot glued on.
Patterned paper is the easy shortcut. Let each child decorate their own page so the book shows different handwriting.
5. Baking Christmas Cookies
Gingerbread men need a dough that holds its edges, and this one gets there with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt whisked into the flour.
The maker of this batch adds the egg first and mixes until incorporated, then stirs in the molasses and vanilla.
Whisking the spices through the flour before combining keeps the flavor even. Chill the dough before rolling so the shapes stay sharp.
Red icing with white accents is easy for small hands, and a plain piping bag keeps it tidy.
6. Hot Chocolate Bar
Set the toppings in separate bins and a hot chocolate bar runs itself. Marshmallows, crushed candy, cookies, chocolate sticks and pretzels cover sweet, crunchy and chewy, and whipped cream on top finishes each cup.
Outdoors, it works best near the door, so cold hands can warm up fast. Gloves and a thermos of cocoa make the setup simple.
Pretzels are my pick for a salty contrast, and they keep everything from tasting like pure sugar.
7. Homemade Ornaments
Paper circles layered into a round ornament make a bright, flat decoration that costs almost nothing. Small colorful pieces glued in rings, with a few beads or a dusting of confetti in the center, give each one its own look.
Let every family member make one and sign the back, so the tree carries a little of each person. Cardstock scraps work as well as anything bought.
8. Christmas Movie Night
Set it near the tree, point everyone at the TV, and the room does the work.
Pick a classic holiday film the whole family already knows, so younger kids stay with it and grown-ups can relax. Blankets and pillows on the floor cost nothing extra.
9. Family Photoshoot
Matching cream sweaters keep a family photo calm, and I would choose that over loud patterns every time.
A white tree and fairy lights behind everyone give the picture a soft, snowy feel, and a dog fits right into the group.
Dress everyone in the same color family before anything else, then build the backdrop at home with a small tree and string lights. Skip a studio if the budget is tight.
10. Set Up a Christmas Photo Booth
A single bold backdrop does most of the work in a Christmas photo booth.
Keep props simple and within reach. Pick a spot with good light, and photos come easily all evening.
11. Go Sledding
A gentle hill close to home is all sledding needs, and a house nearby means hot drinks and dry socks are a short walk away. A basic red sled works fine.
Dress in warm layers and a face mask on windy days, and start on the lowest slope so the youngest can build confidence. Save the steeper runs for later.
When it’s too chilly to make snowballs outside, stay indoors and set up a snowball relay for the family. All you need are spoons and some marshmallows to serve as snowballs.
12. Toast Marshmallows Round the Fire
Marshmallows toast best over glowing embers, not tall flames, so wait until the logs settle before anyone lifts a skewer. Turn slowly and the outside turns golden while the center melts.
Long skewers keep small hands away from the heat, and an adult should stand close. A fire, a blanket and a bag of marshmallows make an entire winter evening.
13. Christmas Cookie Exchange
Each guest bakes one kind of cookie and goes home with a mix of everyone’s, so a single batch turns into a full holiday platter.
Ask each person to bring a dozen per guest, plus a container for taking treats home. Lay everything on one table so people can browse and choose.
Label each plate with the cookie’s name, since guests with allergies will want to check before they pick.
14. Make Christmas Cards
Photos of the kids popping out of felt gift boxes make a card grandparents keep. Red and green boxes read clearly as presents, and a ruler and scissors are the main tools.
Cut the felt boxes first, then trim each photo to fit so the face sits right above the lid. Glue the boxes down and let them dry before stacking cards.
Printing the snapshots at home keeps the cost low. Write the message inside, and it feels personal.
15. Paper Gingerbread Men Crafts
Dried citrus slices, pinecones and small pebbles give a plain paper gingerbread man a rustic, earthy look that no glitter can match. I prefer this version because the natural pieces have their own color and texture.
Cut the figures from brown paper, then glue the materials on with a dab at a time so nothing slides. Lay the pieces out first and decide on placement before gluing.
Seeds work well for buttons and eyes.
16. DIY Paper Santa Crafts
Folded red paper, pleated like a fan, makes a Santa body with real shape, and a black paper belt strip with a glitter buckle finishes him off.
Fold the pleats evenly, since uneven ones show right away. Pinch the middle, then wrap the belt around it and glue the ends at the back.
Gold glitter is the messy part, so do the buckles over a tray. Small children can handle the gluing while an adult folds.
17. Holiday Fabric Garland Craft
Fabric loops linked like a paper chain make a garland that outlasts the paper kind. Red, green and white patterns look best mixed, so pull scraps from old holiday fabric.
Cut strips of equal length, glue or sew each into a ring, and thread the next strip through before closing it. Keeping the strips the same size makes the chain hang evenly.
Little hands can slip the strips through one another, and an adult can knot or glue each closing loop so the chain holds. Drape it over a mantel or tablecloth edge.
18. DIY Wall Christmas Tree Activity
Butcher paper taped to the wall becomes a tree as big as the kids want, and it costs a few dollars. Tape the paper in a triangle first, then let them fill it with pom-poms.
Use a glue stick or double-sided tape so the pom-poms stay put at a child’s height. A yellow star on top gives everyone a finish line.
Painter’s tape comes off a wall more cleanly than most tapes, so I would reach for it here. Add a pom-pom ornament each night through December if you want it to grow.
19. Writing Letters to Santa
A red and white mail organizer with a candy cane pattern gives letters to Santa a place to go. Kids can see where their note is headed, and writing it becomes a real errand.
Set it near the tree or by the front door, and let each child fold their letter and drop it in. Plain paper and a pencil are all the writing takes.
Keep the organizer out through December so late wishes still have a spot.
20. Looking at Christmas Lights
Large inflatable Santa, snowman and nutcracker figures, plus colorful string lights and faux snow on the steps, give a house plenty to look at from the sidewalk.
Driving or walking past a few of these costs nothing, which suits a family on a budget. Bring a thermos of cocoa and let the kids vote on a favorite house.
I would go after dark, when the lights show best. Dress warmly if you walk.
21. Festive Dessert Charcuterie Board
Cookies, candies and small Santa figurines on a wooden board turn dessert into something guests graze on. A tree-shaped cookie on top draws a hand right away.
Start with the biggest pieces, the cookies, then fill the gaps with candies and chocolates. Tuck the Santa figurines in last so they stand out.
Store-bought sweets work fine here, so the board takes little more than arranging. A board that looks full always beats a sparse one.
22. Chocolate Fondue Station
A chocolate fountain surrounded by marshmallows, strawberries and sprinkles lets everyone build their own dessert. Set the dippers on a white table so the colors show against it.
Put the sprinkles in small bowls near the end of the line, so they land on the chocolate last. Strawberries give a tart bite against the sweet marshmallows.
Kids will want to do the sprinkling themselves, so keep napkins close and let them.
23. DIY Holiday Wreath
Green and cream fabric flowers with a few red berries and a red bow make a wreath that never drops needles. On a white paneled door, the cream blends in while the red bow stands out.
Glue the largest flowers on first, then tuck berries into the gaps. Add the bow last, once you know where the wreath looks bare.
Fabric holds up year after year, so I would pick it over fresh greenery if you want to reuse it.
Planning Tips for Activities
Start with the people, not the ideas.
Kids with a wide age gap rarely stay happy at the same table, so pick one activity that works for both, or split the job: the older child handles the fiddly step while the younger one does the gluing or sprinkling.
Cost and time are the 2 limits that decide what makes the cut. Many holiday activities run expensive or eat a whole afternoon, and either one can turn a pleasant plan into a stressful one.
Activities you can do from home are usually the safer bet, since they cost less and need no travel.
Write down the dates before you buy anything. A plan that fits your calendar gets finished.
Creating Family Traditions
Repetition is what turns a nice afternoon into something your family expects every year.
An activity advent calendar is an easy way to start. Write one activity on each day’s slip, tuck them into pockets or envelopes, and open one a day through December.
Choose your favorites and let the rest inspire an idea that belongs only to your family. Keep the ones that get requested again next year and drop the ones that don’t.
Pick a few to repeat rather than a new list every season. Three that kids look forward to beat ten that feel like chores.
Balancing Fun and Relaxation
2 weeks or more of kids home on winter break can feel like chaos, especially if you walk in from work already tired. Plan for that, instead of hoping the season carries everyone.
Alternate a busy day with a quiet one. After a big outing or project, leave the next morning open for pajamas, books and free play.
Choose one anchor activity per day and let the rest be unscheduled. Kids don’t need entertaining for 24 hours; they need a few good moments and room to wander.
Share the workload too. Many parents end up enjoying the activities as much as the children, but if you’re running on empty, a store-bought shortcut or an early bedtime is a fine choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to enjoy Christmas with kids?
Pick one anchor activity a day, such as baking cookies, decorating a gingerbread house or making paper ornaments, and leave the rest of the day open.
Pair a full day of outings or visitors with a slow one, and the slow day can belong to pajamas, picture books and unplanned play until lunch.
Kids need a few good moments more than constant entertaining, and a store-bought shortcut is a fine choice when you’re worn out.
What are some good Christmas traditions for toddlers?
Baking cookies, decorating the tree and reading Christmas stories suit toddlers well. Shatterproof ornaments suit the youngest guests, and the lowest stretch of branches can be theirs to fill however they like.
Small children hold onto repetition more than novelty, so the nightly story or the same evening walk past the lit-up houses will mean more to them than a fresh activity every December; pick 2 or 3 and keep them.
Where can I take my children for Christmas?
Start close to home: a walk or drive after dark to look at Christmas lights costs nothing, and kids can vote on a favorite house.
In December, garden centers and big department stores set up tree displays and dressed windows, sometimes with animated figures, and most have a cafe where kids can sit down with a snack.
Local Christmas markets, tree farms and Santa events also make good outings, and a gentle nearby hill works for sledding.
What are some games you can play for Christmas?
A candy cane hunt is an easy one: hide candy canes around the house, set a timer, and for kids under 4 hide plastic candy cane decorations and trade them for a treat at the end.
Santa Says, a Christmas twist on Simon Says, and musical statues to carols burn off energy. Christmas bingo with picture cards works before a child can read, and pin the nose on Rudolph is a good option for a group.
