How to Make Christmas Fun for the Kids
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! While Christmas always delivers a hearty dose of joy and cheer, it’s an especially magical season for little ones.
While you might feel the pressure to shop, cook, and plan over these next few weeks, it’s important to take a step back and relish in this kind of merriment that only comes once a year. There’s no better way to do so than to view this holiday through the eyes of a child.
Today, we’re sharing 15 easy ideas that can help you conjure up plenty of Christmas fun!
1. Make a Christmas movie playlist.
From Elf to It’s a Wonderful Life, there are plenty of family-friendly Christmas movies to keep your family entertained all month long. Pop a few bags of popcorn in the microwave, get a fire going, and snuggle under comfy blankets.
Then, just press “play” and sit back! Not sure where to find your favorite holiday flicks? Check out this guide, which covers all the top streaming services including Amazon, Disney+, Netflix, and more.
2. Write letters to Santa.
Writing letters to Jolly Old St. Nick is one of the most beloved parts of childhood. Set aside some time and get out the good paper, markers, and stickers from the craft drawer.
Whether they drop it in a designated “Letters to Santa” mailbox or simply tuck it under the tree, this is a special and memorable way to encourage creativity and spread a little festive fun.
3. Make a DIY garland.
From handprint ornaments to popsicle stick trees, some of the most special Christmas crafts are homemade. This year, let the kids create a colorful garland to add some sparkle to your home’s winter decor.
In this post, you’ll find more than 20 designs that use easy-to-find household materials, such as scrap paper, candies, and leaves!
4. Bake Christmas cookies.
There’s nothing like sinking your teeth into a still-warm sugar cookie covered with decadent frosting and sprinkles. Whether you buy the premade dough at the store or you make your own from scratch, we guarantee the littles will still love them.
You can even invite a few families to participate and hold a mini cookie exchange. Remember to brush and floss afterward to keep it a cavity-free Christmas!
5. Hold sled races.
If you’re lucky enough to experience a white Christmas, then plan to dust off those sleds in the garage! Bundle everyone up and take turns racing from the top of a hill to the bottom. This is one of those holiday games they’ll remember forever.
Make sure to keep plenty of space between participants to avoid any collisions! Winners get the first cups of hot chocolate when you get back inside.
6. Play Christmas charades.
This game is exactly how it sounds! Add a few holiday-themed words or phrases to a hat, and take turns acting out your pick. This free printable can help you get this family gathering started.
From making snow angels and trimming the tree to building a snowman and shopping for gifts, there are plenty of activities on this list. You may even find some inspiration for your real-life itinerary!
7. Read a bedtime story by the tree.
Instead of snuggling in and reading books in bed, why not take storytime to the tree?
Those twinkling lights make everything more spectacular, and this is a great way to keep everyone’s attention. In addition to the classic “The Night Before Christmas,” try these other family favorites:
- The Polar Express
- The Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
- The Littlest Reindeer
If your children are old enough, you can take turns reading. Here are a few other books they’re sure to enjoy.
8. Make Christmas playdough.
Most playdough recipes use simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, and the steps are easy enough for even young kids to follow.
This one only takes four minutes to prepare, and you can customize it with your own holiday-themed scents and colors!
9. Create a Christmas playlist.
If you’re like us, you set your radio to Christmas music as soon as it debuted back in October. While those traditional melodies make for easy listening, why not take creative control of the selection?
Using an app like Spotify or Apple Music, simply search for the songs you want to hear, and add them one by one. With just a few clicks, you can transform your home or car into a yuletide paradise!
10. Make fun holiday snacks.
As you plan your holiday feast, don’t forget to think about snacks for the tiny ones! Some holiday food can be heavy on their little bellies, so it helps to have a few festive snacks you can quickly prepare.
As a kids dentist, we’re always on the hunt for unique and creative snacks that are also healthy and good for your teeth! These easy treats fit the bill and can help you keep tooth pain at bay all season long. Watermelon Christmas trees, anyone?
11. Hold a gift-wrapping race.
Do you tend to stress over how perfect your gifts look each year? Rather than spend all your spare time tucking corners and tying ribbons, why not have some fun with the process?
Give everyone a present to wrap, and see who can get the job done the quickest!
12. Whip up festive drinks.
Want to give your kids something special to sip on around the dinner table? Specialty drinks are a great way to ring in the season, and there are plenty of kid-friendly recipes.
From iced hot chocolate to Grinch punch, check out these exciting concoctions!
13. Make a homemade centerpiece.
Looking for a centerpiece that’s as memorable as it is beautiful? First, trace each one of your kids’ hands on green construction paper. Then, turn the hands upside down to resemble the branches of a Christmas tree.
Glue them to a piece of cardboard that’s cut into a triangle and add a yellow felt star at the top. You can copy the hands if you need more to cover the tree!
Decorate the “tree” with pom-poms and you’ve got a table topper you won’t want to take down. Here’s the full tutorial for reference.
14. Go on a Christmas scavenger hunt.
A holiday-themed scavenger hunt is one of our favorite Christmas activities! Keep it simple with premade printables that tell your kids exactly where to go.
Place a small gift at the end location, and they’ll love searching around from spot to spot!
15. Drive to see lights.
Sometimes, the most memorable family traditions are the easiest and least expensive ones.
Load your crew into the car, stop for drive-through milkshakes and hot chocolate, and enjoy the local lights. If you’re in Granite City, take a few detours to check out some of the other fun spots in our city!
Enjoy these ideas for Christmas fun.
Christmas is one of the most special and beautiful seasons. Yet, it can also be one of the most hurried and stressful. This year, take a deep breath, hug your family tightly, and remember that togetherness matters more than anything.
Enjoy trying all the ideas on our Christmas fun list! From our family to yours, we wish you a happy holiday season. Feel free to reach out to our team if you need anything.
