Look, I love a perfectly decorated, magazine-worthy Christmas tree as much as the next person. You know, the one with the color-coordinated ornaments, perfectly spaced lights, and a star that actually sits up straight? Yeah, that tree is beautiful. But you know what’s even better? A tree decorated by tiny, sticky hands that put the candy cane ornament in the exact same spot three times because they keep walking around to the other side of the tree.
If you are gearing up to “deck the halls” but are dreading the inevitable toddler tantrum over who gets to put the angel on top, I’ve got your back. I’ve compiled a list of 12 Christmas tree activities for kids that will keep them entertained, get them involved in the decorating process, and maybe—just maybe—prevent them from redecorating your tree with toilet paper when you aren’t looking. 🙂
1. The Great Ornament Hunt (Before They Go on the Tree)
Before we even touch the tree, we have to address the elephant in the room: the ornament box. You pull it out of storage, and suddenly you have a toddler diving headfirst into a sea of tissue paper.
How to Play
Instead of fighting it, turn it into a game. I grab all the shatterproof ornaments and hide them around the living room while the kids are distracted by a cartoon. Then, I hand them a empty basket and say, “Go! Find the ornaments for the tree!”
It buys me a solid ten minutes to untangle lights and sip my coffee while it’s still hot. FYI, my four-year-old still hasn’t figured out that I hid them in the exact same spots as last year. Don’t tell him. 🙂
Why This Works
- It burns off that pre-decorating energy.
- It makes them feel like they are part of the mission.
- It keeps fragile heirlooms safely tucked away in the box while they hunt for the plastic ones.
2. Salt Dough Ornament Extravaganza
If you’ve never made salt dough ornaments, are you even a parent? This is the messiest, most nostalgic activity on the list, and I refuse to skip it. IMO, store-bought ornaments are fine, but nothing beats a lopsided handprint from 2019.
The Simple Recipe
Mix 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water. Knead it until it feels like playdough. Roll it out, cut shapes, and poke a hole at the top with a straw.
The Real Talk
Bake them at 200°F for a few hours until they harden. Then, the real fun begins. Hand the kids some paint and let them go to town. We usually end up with a lot of brownish-purple ornaments because they mix every color together, but that’s part of the charm.
3. The “Ugly” Tree Decorating Contest
Let’s be honest: a tree decorated solely by a three-year-old is going to look a little… abstract. So why fight it? Lean into the chaos.
Set the Rules
Give each kid a specific section of the tree—preferably the bottom third, since that’s all they can reach anyway. Tell them it’s their own personal “mini tree” to decorate however they want.
I stand back and watch the magic happen. They cluster five ornaments on one branch and leave the rest bare. They hang the Santa upside down. It’s art. Later that night, when they are asleep, I subtly redistribute the weight so the tree doesn’t tip over, but during the day? That tree is theirs.
4. Popcorn Garland (The Old School Way)
Threading popcorn used to be a staple, and we need to bring it back. It’s cheap, it’s edible (which is either a pro or a con, depending on your kid), and it keeps their hands busy.
Safety First
For little ones, I use a plastic tapestry needle or just let them thread the popcorn onto string or yarn without a needle at all. For older kids, supervised needlework is fine.
The Sarcasm Corner
Sure, you’ll find popcorn hidden in the carpet until July. And yes, the dog will probably eat half of it. But the look of pride on their face when they see that garland looped around the tree? Totally worth the vacuuming.
5. Make Your Own Playdough Tree
Sometimes, you need a tree activity that doesn’t involve the actual tree. You know, when you are trying to keep them out of the ornament box for the fifth time that day.
What You Need
- Green playdough (homemade or store-bought)
- A collection of small decorations: beads, sequins, dry pasta, googly eyes (because everything is better with googly eyes).
The Activity
Roll the playdough into a cone shape or flatten it into a tree shape. Hand the kids the bowl of decorations and let them “decorate” their playdough tree. They can smoosh the beads right into the dough. It’s great for fine motor skills, and it keeps them busy while you actually hang the breakables up high where they can’t reach.
6. Paper Chain Countdown
We do this every single year. It serves two purposes: it decorates the tree, and it gives the kids a visual for how many days are left until the Big Guy shows up.
How We Do It
Cut red and green construction paper into strips. Let the kids glue or tape them into loops, linking them as they go. We make the chain long enough to drape around the tree like garland.
Every morning, one of the kids gets to tear off a loop. It builds anticipation, and it’s a great way to actually use up that pile of scrap paper hiding in your closet.
7. Felt Ornament Station
This is my secret weapon for quiet time. A felt tree or felt ornaments are reusable, silent, and don’t result in broken glass.
The Setup
I bought a giant sheet of green felt and cut out a simple tree shape. I taped it to the wall in the playroom. Then, I cut out smaller shapes from different colored felt: circles, stars, candy canes, whatever.
The kids just stick the shapes to the tree. No glue, no mess. They rearrange them constantly. It’s the perfect activity for when I need them to play independently while I figure out why the Christmas lights won’t turn on. Again.
8. Christmas Tree Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are a lifesaver during the holiday season. They contain the mess to one specific area (usually) and provide endless entertainment.
Ingredients
- Base: Dry green lentils or dyed rice.
- Mix-ins: Mini pom-poms, jingle bells, cookie cutters shaped like trees or stars, and those little plastic trinkets from the craft store.
The Goal
I just pour the lentils into a plastic tub, toss in the decorations, and give them some scoops and cups. They bury the ornaments, dig them up, and “decorate” the cookie cutters. It’s simple, but they love it. Fair warning: jingle bells are loud. You have been warned.
9. Toilet Paper Roll Ornament Craft
I know, I know. Another craft with a toilet paper roll. But hear me out—these actually turn out cute.
The Method
Flatten the tube and cut it into rings about a half-inch wide. Let the kids paint the rings green, red, or whatever color they want. Once dry, they can glue the rings together to form a shape (like a snowflake or a wreath), or simply string them on a ribbon to make a rustic garland.
It’s a great way to recycle, and it’s sturdy enough to survive a drop from the tree onto the hardwood floor. Unlike my favorite glass snowman from 2005. RIP, Snowy.
10. The “Find the Star” Challenge
This is a game we play every night leading up to Christmas. It takes two seconds to set up, but it gets them running to the tree with excitement.
How It Works
While the kids are brushing their teeth or getting their pajamas on, I hide a special ornament (usually a small star or an Elf on the Shelf, if you’re into that sort of thing) somewhere on the tree.
When they come downstairs, they have to race to find it. The winner gets to hide it the next night. It turns the tree into a daily interactive puzzle rather than just a static decoration.
11. Candy Cane Hooks (The Sneaky Math Lesson)
Before you hang the candy canes, turn it into a sorting activity. I dump a bag of candy canes on the coffee table and let the kids go to work.
The Game
- Sort them by size (big vs. small).
- Sort them by flavor (peppermint vs. the weird fruit-flavored ones that nobody eats).
- Count how many it takes to cover a specific branch.
This is one of those “stealth learning” moments. They think they are just playing with candy, but really, they are practicing early math skills. And when they are done, they can hang them on the tree. Just don’t be surprised if you find a few missing later. 😉
12. The Annual Tree Trimming Party
Make it an event. Seriously. Put on the cheesy Christmas music (the really old stuff that makes your kids groan), make some hot cocoa with way too many marshmallows, and turn the lights down low.
The Tradition
We let each kid open one special new ornament every year. It’s usually something that represents something they were into that year—like a dinosaur or a unicorn. They get to be the one to hang that specific ornament.
It creates a narrative on your tree. You can look at it and see the timeline of their childhood. That lopsided popsicle stick frame? That was preschool. The glitter bomb mess? That was the kindergarten year. It’s chaotic, it’s messy, and it’s 100% yours.
So there you have it. Twelve ways to survive the holiday decorating season with your sanity (mostly) intact. Remember, the goal isn’t a perfect tree. The goal is making memories that will make your kids roll their eyes fondly when they are thirty and decorating their own trees.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go rescue a tinsel ball from my dog. Happy decorating
