Alright, let’s be honest for a second—Christmas with kids is pure magic, but it’s also a special kind of chaos. The excitement levels are off the charts, the sugar intake is through the roof, and by December 26th, you’re usually left with a mountain of wrapping paper and the sudden, terrifying thought: “Wait, we still have a whole week of break left.”
Been there. Done that. Bought the overpriced hot chocolate to cope.
But here’s the thing: the holidays don’t have to feel like a survival mission. With a little bit of planning (and a healthy dose of sarcasm), you can actually enjoy this time with your tiny humans. I’ve rounded up 25 killer activities for kids this Christmas that are guaranteed to burn off energy, create lasting memories, and maybe—just maybe—earn you a quiet moment with a glass of wine later.
Ready to make this the best, most chaotic holiday ever? Let’s go.
Classic Christmas Crafts (That Won’t Destroy Your House)
Look, I love a good Pinterest craft as much as the next mom. But I also love my dining room table not being permanently stained with glitter. These craft ideas hit the sweet spot between “festive” and “mess-free.”
1. DIY Salt Dough Ornaments
This is the granddaddy of Christmas crafts for a reason. You probably have flour and salt in your cupboard right now. Mix it up, let the kids go to town with cookie cutters, and bake them low and slow. Pro tip: Use a straw to poke a hole before baking—future you will thank present you when it’s time to hang them.
2. Pinecone Christmas Trees
Send the kids out to collect pinecones (hello, 20 minutes of peace) and let them paint the tips green. Once dry, they can glue on little pom-poms or beads as ornaments. I hot glue a star-shaped bead on top because I’m not a monster who trusts a six-year-old with a glue gun.
3. Paper Plate Santa Masks
Grab some paper plates, cotton balls, and red construction paper. Cut out eye holes, glue a cotton ball beard on the bottom half, and add a red nose. Instant Santa mask. The kids will run around yelling “Ho Ho Ho” for hours. You’re welcome.
4. Handprint Reindeer
Because if you don’t have at least one handprint craft from this phase of parenting, did you even have kids? Paint their hand brown, press it onto cardstock, and add googly eyes and a red nose when it dries. These make hilarious and adorable gifts for grandparents.
5. DIY Snow Globe Jars
Find an old jar with a tight lid. Glue a small plastic tree or figurine to the inside of the lid. Fill the jar with water, a dash of glycerin (so the snow falls slowly), and glitter. Screw the lid on tight (and I mean tight), flip it over, and shake. It’s a science experiment and a craft in one.
Let’s Get Baking (Aka, Controlled Sugar Mayhem)
Baking with kids is always an adventure. It’s less about perfect results and more about the flour handprints on your black leggings. Embrace the mess. :/
6. Decorate Your Own Sugar Cookies
Bake a batch of simple sugar cookies (or buy pre-made dough—no judgment here) and set up a decorating station. Bowls of icing, sprinkles, red hots, the works. Remember: The goal is fun, not bakery-level perfection. The uglier they are, the better they taste, right?
7. Build a Gingerbread House (The Lazy Way)
Buying a pre-assembled gingerbread house kit is a parenting hack I fully support. You just hand over the candy and let them go wild. It’s less stressful than trying to hold walls together with melted sugar while your toddler eats the gumdrops.
8. Reindeer Chow Snack Mix
This is a no-bake treat that’s stupidly easy. Melt chocolate and peanut butter, pour it over Rice Chex cereal and pretzels, and then toss it in a bag with powdered sugar. Shake it up, and you’ve got “Reindeer Chow.” Perfect for movie snacking.
9. Christmas Morning Breakfast Cinnamon Rolls
Get the kids involved the night before by helping to arrange the rolls in the pan. In the morning, while you’re wrestling with coffee cups, they can help drizzle on the icing. It’s a simple win that makes Christmas morning feel extra special.
10. Hot Chocolate Bar
Set up a station with mugs, hot cocoa, whipped cream, candy canes, and marshmallows. Let the kids mix and match their own concoctions. It’s basically a science experiment, but delicious.
Outdoor Fun (Burn That Energy!)
If you’re staring down a house full of wired kids, the best solution is often the front door. Get them outside, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.
11. Neighborhood Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
Pile everyone in the car (or walk if you’re lucky enough to live in that neighborhood). Make a list of things to find: a house with a blow-up Santa, blue lights, a reindeer on the roof, etc. Whoever spots the most items wins bragging rights.
12. Go Ice Skating
Check if your local rink has public skate times. It’s a classic winter activity. Just be prepared for a lot of falling and a lot of laughing. Holding onto the side rail is totally acceptable.
13. Build a Snowman (Weather Permitting)
If you’ve got snow, use it. If you don’t, build one out of whatever you have! Get creative with found objects for the face and arms. It’s a full-body workout disguised as play.
14. Have a Snowball Fight
Again, if you have snow, this is a no-brainer. If you don’t, make “snowballs” out of white socks rolled up together. They don’t hurt, and they’re hilarious to lob at unsuspecting siblings.
15. Look at the Stars on a Cold Night
Grab some hot chocolate, bundle up, and lie on a blanket in the backyard. See if you can spot any constellations. It’s a surprisingly peaceful way to end a busy day.
Quiet(er) Indoor Activities
Sometimes you just need the volume level in your house to drop by about 50%. These activities are great for that post-lunch slump or when you need to make a phone call without yelling over a Paw Patrol episode.
16. Christmas Movie Marathon
Pick a few classics and build a giant fort in the living room. We’re talking blankets, pillows, the whole works. This is peak holiday coziness. Pop the popcorn and settle in.
17. Read Christmas Books by the Fire
If you have a fire, light it. If not, put on a YouTube video of a crackling fireplace. Snuggle up and read through your favorite holiday books. “The Polar Express” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are non-negotiables in our house.
18. Write Letters to Santa
Even in the age of email and text, a physical letter to the North Pole is still magical. Get out the nice paper and markers. It’s also a great way to subtly gauge what they’re really hoping for. 😉
19. Make Paper Snowflakes
All you need is paper and scissors. Fold, cut, unfold—boom, instant winter wonderland. Tape them to the windows for an instant festive look.
20. Board Game Bonanza
Dust off the family favorites. Whether it’s Candy Land for the littles or Monopoly for the older kids, board games are the ultimate boredom busters. Just be prepared for some friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition.
Spreading Christmas Cheer
This is the stuff that really matters. Teaching kids that the holidays are about more than just getting presents.
21. Bake Treats for the Neighbors
Use some of those decorated cookies or that reindeer chow and put them in little festive bags. Walk around the neighborhood and deliver them. It’s a simple way to teach kindness and connect with your community.
22. Donate Old Toys
Before the new toys arrive, have the kids help pick out toys they’ve outgrown to donate. Frame it as “making room for Santa to bring new things” and talk about how they’ll make another child happy. It’s a powerful lesson.
23. Sing Carols (Even If You’re Terrible)
You don’t need to go door-to-door. Just crank up the Christmas music in your living room and have a full-on family sing-along. The more off-key, the better.
24. Make Cards for Nursing Home Residents
Many local nursing homes accept cards for residents who might not get many visitors. It’s a small gesture that means the world to someone.
25. Leave Reindeer Food on Christmas Eve
Mix some oats with glitter and sprinkle it on the lawn on Christmas Eve. The story goes that the glitter guides the reindeer to your house. The kids absolutely love this tradition, and it’s a great way to wind down before the big night.
So, there you have it. Twenty-five ways to survive—and actually enjoy—the holiday break with your kids. Pick the ones that sound fun to you, ignore the ones that sound like a headache, and remember that the only rule is to have a good time.
Happy Holidays, you amazing, exhausted parent. You’ve got this. 🎄
