How about some easy Christmas activities for the whole family this holiday season? It’s time to make memories that are low on work and high on magic.
The trick is to get your crew interested in family time. Check out these 55 tips to make some holiday cheer and create fun family traditions together.
Tips for every age, spiritual ideas, and ways to entertain out-of-town guests are included. Pick and choose the ideas that are good for everyone, and don’t get stressed! You don’t need to do all of them. Pick what is good for your family.
Easy Christmas Activities to Do with Kids
These easy Christmas activities for kids are a fantastic way to spend time with your children using food and inexpensive crafts. Who doesn’t love to eat during the holidays and a good paper chain?
Special breakfast
Make a special breakfast on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. Let the kids decorate pancakes with chocolate chips, lots of whipped cream, and sprinkles. The Pioneer Woman has 75 Christmas breakfast ideas.
Gingerbread House
Decorate a gingerbread house. You can buy the premade sheets with the candy and icing altogether. It’s not an expensive kit. This gingerbread house from Walmart is under $10.
Make cookies
We love making gingerbread cookies. The kids have fun decorating them however they want. Most of the time, the gingerbread men look a bit wonky, but they still tasted good!
Special dinner
Go to a nice restaurant during the holidays that you would never go to any other time of the year. This is such an easy Christmas activity that requires very little work but is packed with good memories.
Holiday picnic
Sit on the floor in the dark next to your lit Christmas tree and eat a fun Christmas meal—or pizza! The main idea is to eat whatever is yummy for your kids. This is one of the best easy Christmas activities.
String popcorn
Get popcorn and string it. Hang it on the kid’s Christmas tree. Eat the rest! This is an easy, cheap Christmas craft.
Roast marshmallows
Get your coat hangers out! You don’t have to have a bonfire to roast marshmallows. You can do it at your fireplace and have just as much fun! If you don’t have a fireplace, do it in the oven. Yummy!
Hot cocoa/cider mix for gifts
Here is a great hot chocolate recipe you and your kids can assemble for the neighbors. If you have kids who like to mix and stir, this is a great way to have fun in the kitchen. You can even slip in a bit of math with the measuring. Don’t forget to drink some too!
Christmas crafts
Pinterest has tons of Christmas craft ideas, such as using things around your house or from a local store. Such fun and easy Christmas activities.
Colorable holiday tablecloth
Amazon has holiday tablecloths that can be colored while sitting at the table. You can do it with your kids or use it for a special meal to keep them busy while the adults talk. (I am not an affiliate)
Make an ornament
If you ask what your kids can make for Xmas, this is it! An ornament. There are craft kits or make-your-own ornaments online. Get a special kid’s Christmas tree and hang them on it. Ensure you have the date on the ornament to remember them over time.
Paper snowflakes
This is a free, easy Christmas craft that is quick to do. Fold a piece of paper into four squares. Cut holes in the sides, but don’t cut at the bottom corner. Tape it on the windows or hang it on the tree.
Paper chain
Here is an adorable Christmas paper chain; it’s an easy Christmas craft for toddlers. They can glue the paper together while you make the embellishments. This is one of the most classic, easy Christmas activities.
Color a canvas Christmas stocking
Spend memorable moments together coloring canvas stockings together. You can even use these kits at church or Christmas parties. They make lovely keepsakes.
These easy Christmas activities for preschoolers or elementary kids are fun. You don’t have to do them all. Just choose one or two.
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What Are Some Fun and Easy Christmas Activities You Must Do?
Here are some fun, easy Christmas activities for the family you must do! These are great ideas that may quickly become a tradition every year. You will especially like these ideas if you stay home instead of traveling.
Pictures with Santa
The mall or department store often has a Santa that sees kids and takes pictures. I have seen a few places that do selfies or “distanced” Santas if watching the germs.
Christmas tree
Pick out the tree or go cut one down and then decorate the tree together. Drink hot cocoa or cider while doing it. Easy Christmas activities for the whole family are not hard to do if everyone loves the job.
Make a Jesse Tree
Prepare for advent by highlighting Jesus’ family tree. Each day, read a story about one of His ancestors and then hang an ornament on the tree representing that person. Get more information on the Jesse Tree here,
Decorate the outdoors
Get your kids involved in decorating the front yard. Let them put lights on the bushes, hang something from the trees, or put a wreath on the door.
Elf on the Shelf
Do elf on the shelf every day during the season. Here are 50 ideas to help you make it fun. Don’t you love these easy Christmas activities.
Open a present
Open one present on Christmas Eve to add a little fun. Hide them and make it a scavenger hunt.
Christmas Eve
Set out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Don’t forget the carrots for Rudolph!
Letters to Santa
Write letters to Santa. There are places you can mail them to the “North Pole.”Some post offices will take them. My favorite is to tuck them away for a keepsake. See below to get your free printable.
Reindeer prints
Put reindeer prints on the floor Christmas morning so it looks like Rudolph and all the reindeer came.
Stockings
Hang stockings on the mantle and fill them when Santa comes. Lots of dollar bills are always fun! Here are some other ideas to fill your stockings.
Outdoor scavenger hunt
Make a list of all the nature in your yard and have your kids find each item. Or take a walk around the block and let your kids discover a new world of winter wonderlands such as fir, pinecones, mistletoe, etc.
Christmas games
Check out these 30 Christmas games to play with your family. They are great for parties, too. I love these Christmas activities for the family as there are endless ones to choose from.
Felt advent calendar
Buy a cute calendar (not an affiliate) displaying the month of December. Let your kids put a felt piece on each day in December. They can take turns marking the days until Christmas.
Star From Afar
I did many of these things with my kids. They are lovely, easy Christmas activities that will create memories for a lifetime.
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Get your two (adorable) FREE LETTERS TO SANTA TEMPLATE PDF that also make a wonderful keepsake!
How Do I Make Christmas Fun For My Older Kids with These Easy Christmas Activities?
Tweens and teens are picky about time with family. Some may even feel forced to be with you as their friends are sooo much more enjoyable. Try these easy Christmas activities to help you bond with these prickly creatures. You may even get a smile. Well, maybe.
Christmas lights
Drive around your area and look at Christmas lights together. Google “Christmas lights near me” to see what your location offers. This is one of the best easy Christmas activities.
Christmas shopping/market
Do your Christmas shopping together as a family at a specialty market or shopping center decorated for the holidays.
Game night
Play games together as a family and listen to holiday music while drinking cocoa or hot apple cider. We especially liked these easy Christmas activities.
Puzzle
Have a 500—or 1000-piece Christmas puzzle (not an affiliate) sitting out for everyone to work on during the season. People will gather at the table randomly to work on it.
Christmas Karaoke
This is the modern version of caroling. Instead of going around the neighborhood, sing and dance together at home. Have a dance party and make a video of your fun.
Spa night
If you have girls, do a spa night while watching Christmas movies. Make sure to have lots of polish, face masks, and other beauty products they love. You can even give foot massages. These are fun, easy Christmas activities for anyone of any age.
Christmas Bible escape room game
You can do an escape room in your own home. Solve for codes and get clues about the first Christmas. It’s a great way to learn about the Bible in a fun way!
Christmas charades
Check out these printable cards for Christmas charades. They will help you start a fun night with family and friends.
Snowball fight
I realize this isn’t always possible, but who doesn’t love a good snowball fight when there is snow? If you are not into pelting each other, make snow angels together or go sledding.
Decorate a wreath or a tree
If you have a teen who likes crafts, make a wreath together or decorate the Christmas tree as a family. These are easy Christmas activities for adults and teens to do together.
Movies at home
We love to watch Hallmark or other Christmas movies together at home. We especially love to watch It’s a Wonderful Life together on Christmas Eve every year. Here are the 75 best Christmas movies to check out this year.
Travel
Get out of town and enjoy the holidays away from home with your family. Going to New York is one of the best Christmas activities for older kids. It is magical!
These ideas are easy Christmas activities for the whole family. Which one does your family do?
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Easy Christmas Activities That Are Meaningful To the Family
Here are some easy Christmas activities to do together as a family this year. It may even help you focus on something other than gifts. It is so easy to get distracted by all the shiny objects and forget what is really important–Jesus.
Christmas Eve candlelight service
Attend a candlelight church service on Christmas Eve. This is so meaningful for the whole family. These are easy Christmas activities for adults and teens to do together.
Christmas story
Read the Christmas story (Luke 2) sometime during the season. We do it on Christmas Eve.
Celebrate Advent
Read a meaningful passage out loud every week that correlates with Advent candles, starting with hope, love, joy, and, finally, peace during Christmas week.
Mission project
Participate in Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, feed those without a home, or visit a nursing home during the holidays. These are some of the best easy Christmas activities for the family!
Church services
Attend church services during Advent. How about going all year??
Christmas music
Have Christmas music playing in the background during the season. Just keep it going all day. It will create a festive mood.
Throw a Christmas party
Invite all your friends and have them bring a favorite family dish. Ensure you know who brings what so you don’t have five desserts!
These ideas are meaningful and easy Christmas activities for the whole family. I hope you will remember to find a way to put Jesus first over stuff no matter what you do together this year.
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How to Entertain Your Family at Christmas with Easy Christmas Activities?
Check out these easy Christmas activities to entertain your family during the holidays. These tips are also great for out-of-town guests staying with you for a few days.
Christmas concert
Attend a Christmas concert as a family. Check your local paper or the web for offers in your area.
Movie theater or Drive-In
See the latest Christmas movie in the theater. You may even have a drive-in around your area. This is one of the best easy Christmas activities for adults and teens to do together.
Christmas play
Go to a Christmas play at a local theater or church. Some churches go all out and have live animals in their productions.
Amusement park
Check your area for amusement parks that decorate for the holidays. Many turn them into a winter wonderland.
Ice skating
Go ice skating together. Have your kids invite friends to come along. This is one of the best easy Christmas activities for adults and teens to do together.
Carriage ride
Many areas have carriage rides available. This is one of the best easy Christmas activities for the family.
Live nativity scene
Attend a live nativity scene in your area. Some are in places you can drive by to see.
Christmas craft bazaar
Schools, churches, or sororities will often hold a Christmas market in your area. Check out the paper or the web for what is available.
Looking at the paper or local app can tell you what happens each week, and you can find easy Christmas activities for your relatives in about every town.
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Pin it for later!
How Can I Make Christmas More Fun with Easy Christmas Activities?
The best Christmas activities are the ones your family actually enjoys—not the ones you feel pressured to do because everyone else is doing them.
Listen to what your family likes.
For example, my kids decorated the Christmas tree together exactly once. They lost interest halfway through, and we never tried again. (Full disclosure: I got a slimline tree and it takes about an hour to do it!)
On the other hand, my family loves traveling during the holidays, taking carriage rides, enjoying nice meals together, and worshiping as a family. Those are the things that bring us joy—and that’s what we lean into.
Some traditions stick in unexpected ways. Several years ago, my adult daughter decorated three gingerbread houses all by herself. We started that tradition when the kids were little, and apparently, it’s one she still likes as an adult.
And here’s your gentle reminder: make space to do something you love, too—even if that means doing it alone. Take care of your health, protect your peace, and enjoy the season. You don’t have to do everything on the list—these are suggestions, not️ obligations.
Wishing you a joyful, grace-filled Christmas,
Julie
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What easy Christmas activities do you do with your family? Comment below!
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30 Comments
The article is old, but I can never get old because you’ve shared 55 activities. Every activity you shared is worth trying. I’ve read all the activities, but Snowball Fight, Decorating a Wreath or a Tree, and Game Night can be the best fit for me. I’ll surely do these activities. Overall, nice website. You’ve shared every single activity that everyone must try. I am reading more articles on your website. Hopefully, I’ll find valuable information in it. Thanks to you, Julie Plagens. You’re doing great. Please keep up this hard work.
Thanks, Alex. These activities never go out of style.
Nice blog such informative Blog and Good article That you have been written here nice to read and informative one I like all your Blog This one is my favorite one…
Muthulakshmi,
Thanks so much for your comments. Glad this is your favorite.
Wow! Julie, what an impressive list. I never thought about leaving a puzzle out to work on here and there. Thanks for all the new ideas!
This is a favorite thing to do with my family. Thanks for your comment.
This is an awesome list! I know where to come when I’m looking for new ideas and traditions. Thank you.
Thanks, Patti! It is a good list to start with during the holidays. The trick is to do stuff your family enjoys, not do a list to fulfill the list! Thanks for commenting.
Thank you for these wonderful ideas!
Thanks for your comment!
This is such a great list! As much as I I’ve the decorations and the eating and the presents, spending time with family truly is the best part of the holiday season.
You are so right! I think Santa was fun when they were little, but now I enjoy just seeing my kids.
Great list! I too am a Hallmark freak! I actually just decided to add a gingerbread house to our list this year. I didn’t think of a live nativity scene. Searching for one now!
I hope you find one in your area. It is pretty cool. I love watching the animals.
Love these sweet ideas! My family always made a trip to NYC each year to Rockefeller Center to skate and see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City. Best memories that I hope I can continue when hubs and I start our family!
We have been 3 times. It is absolutely magical!
So many of these are part of my family traditions! A special breakfast, making cookies together and movies at home! My husband and I always have a “Christmas Date” and we are actually going to NYC in December for all things Christmas! So fun.
Oh, how fun! I wish we lived closer so we could do that. Hope you have a great holiday.
Thank you for including ideas for older children, it is so hard to find things the older ones want to do. So this list was perfect!
Let me know of anything you do that is fun that I have not included. I am always looking for new Ideas.
I love these sweet ideas! We do many of these but I think we need to add some more. Thanks for the wonderful share!
It is fun to celebrate the holidays with family. I love spending time with my kids.
Great list! I noticed that there are several things on your list that we haven’t tried yet so I wrote a few down already (and I’m pinning it for later too!). Thank you!
Oh, great. Let me know how it turns out!
These are great ideas! Thanks!!
No problem!
O I love these ideas! It is the season to spend as much time together as we can!
Thanks for your comment.
Grateful for this. Because I want to create memories with my brother and my Dad who is mid-80’s, as well as my husband’s family. There are not young kids around, but family is still important. Thanks!
I hope some of these ideas will make your time together meaningful.