Okay, fellow parent. Deep breaths. We both know what’s coming.
December. That magical month where the kids are buzzing louder than a beehive on espresso, and you’re desperately trying to channel that energy into something other than dismantling the Christmas tree for the fifth time.
You need a plan. Not just any plan, but a December activities for kids plan that acts as a buffer between their endless excitement and your last shred of sanity.
I’ve been there. More times than I care to admit. I’ve stared at a blank calendar on December 1st and thought, “We’ll just wing it!” Spoiler alert: winging it in December is how you end up with a three-year-old mainlining candy canes at 10 a.m. because you needed a bribe to get out the door.
So, I’m sharing my secret weapon. This isn’t just a list; it’s a 31-day holiday countdown designed to be fun, simple, and actually doable. Think of it as your daily dose of “Merry and Bright” without the “Mommy Might Cry.” Let’s turn that December chaos into a month of core memories.
How This 31-Day Holiday Countdown Works
The beauty of this list is its flexibility. I’m not suggesting you have to do every single thing, exactly as written, or your December is a failure. Please. We’re friends here. I know you have shopping to do, cookies to burn—I mean bake—and a million other things on your plate.
The Golden Rules:
- Pick and Choose: Scan the list. Some days you’ll be a superhero and do the big craft. Other days, watching a movie in your pajamas is the activity. And that’s perfect.
- Embrace the Mess (or Avoid It): I’ve flagged activities that are high-mess, low-mess, and no-mess. FYI, the glitter ones are high-mess. Glitter is the herpes of the craft world. :/
- It’s About the Vibe, Not the ‘Gram: The goal is connection and fun, not a Pinterest-perfect photo. If the gingerbread house looks like it survived an earthquake, you’re doing it right.
Alright, enough chit-chat. Let’s save your December. Here is your day-by-day guide.
Week 1: Easing into the Magic (December 1-7)
This week is all about building anticipation without burning out. Think cozy, simple, and setting the tone for the month.
December 1: Set Up the Advent Calendar
Obviously. Whether it’s a store-bought chocolate one, a LEGO calendar, or a DIY version with little notes, today’s the day. We use a simple fabric one with pockets, and I stuff it with a mix of candy, jokes, and coupons for things like “stay up 10 minutes late.” The excitement over a tiny piece of paper is genuinely baffling, but I’ll take it.
December 2: Read “The Polar Express” and Drink Hot Chocolate
Grab your coziest blankets, dig out your copy of The Polar Express (or borrow it from the library), and make a proper mug of hot chocolate. Don’t skimp on the mini marshmallows. This is the perfect low-key activity to remind everyone to slow down.
December 3: Make Paper Snowflakes
Remember how to do this? Fold, cut, unfold, and act amazed. IMO, this is the ultimate low-cost, high-reward activity. You can tape them to windows, string them from the ceiling, or just let them pile up on the table until they mysteriously disintegrate.
December 4: Write Letters to Santa
This is a non-negotiable in our house. Even if your kids are too young to write, have them draw a picture. It’s hilarious to see what they ask for versus what they told you they wanted last week. Pro-tip: Have your child “mail” it in a special box at home, or use the official USPS Santa letter program for a real reply!
December 5: Holiday Movie Night
Let’s keep it simple. Pop some popcorn, turn off the lights, and watch a classic. For the littles, Frosty the Snowman or The Grinch (the cartoon one, obviously). For older kids, Home Alone still holds up. “KEVIN!”
December 6: Go See Christmas Lights
Pile everyone in the car, crank up the holiday tunes, and go for a drive to see the best light displays in town. Bring a thermos of that hot chocolate from earlier in the week. The oohs and aahs are worth the effort of getting everyone buckled in. It’s a magic trick, I swear.
December 7: Decorate the Kid’s Bedroom Door
Give them some construction paper, kid-safe tape, and markers, and let them go to town decorating their bedroom door. They can make a wreath, a snowman, or a giant sign that says “NO ADULTS ALLOWED.” It gives them a little slice of creative ownership over the holiday.
Week 2: Getting Crafty (December 8-14)
Alright, we’re warmed up. Time to break out the craft supplies. This week is about getting our hands dirty and making some keepsakes.
December 8: Salt Dough Ornaments
This is a classic for a reason.
- What you need: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup water.
- What you do: Mix, roll, cut out shapes (handprints are a must!), poke a hole for a ribbon, and bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours.
Once they’re cool, let the kids paint them. These make amazing grandparent gifts. Be prepared for them to be treasured forever (and for you to pretend you don’t see the fingerprint smudges).
December 9: Pinecone Christmas Trees
Go on a nature walk to collect pinecones. When you get home, paint them green and let them dry. Then, the real fun begins: decorating them with tiny pom-poms, glitter glue, and sequins. They look adorable lined up on a shelf or as a centerpiece.
December 10: Make Reindeer Food
This is a must-do for December 23rd, but I like to make it early. Mix rolled oats with magical glitter (just plain old edible glitter or craft glitter—your call on the edibility) and let the kids sprinkle it on the lawn on Christmas Eve. The glitter is to light the way for Rudolph’s nose. Don’t forget to label the bag with the magic ingredient!
December 11: DIY Gift Wrap Station
Set the kids up with a roll of brown kraft paper (the cheap shipping stuff), markers, stamps, and stickers. Let them design and decorate their own wrapping paper for the gifts they’re giving. It keeps them busy, adds a personal touch, and saves you from buying fancy paper they’ll just rip through in 2.5 seconds.
December 12: Popsicle Stick Snowflakes
Grab a bag of jumbo popsicle sticks. Glue three or four together in a star pattern, let them dry, and then let the kids paint them white or blue. Add some glitter or sequins, a ribbon on the back, and voila! You have a rustic ornament for the tree or a gift tag for a larger present.
December 13: “Bake” No-Bake Cookies
I love baking with my kids. I do not love the oven timers, the precise measurements, or the raw egg anxiety. Enter No-Bake Cookies (you know, the oatmeal-chocolate-peanut butter kind). They’re basically just boiling sugar and plopping spoonfuls on wax paper. The kids can help measure, stir, and drop. Minimal danger, maximum deliciousness.
December 14: Build a Cardboard Gingerbread House
I have a love-hate relationship with those store-bought gingerbread house kits. They’re expensive, and the frosting is always too runny. This year, try building a house out of a small cardboard box. Then, let the kids glue on construction paper candies, cotton balls for snow, and bottle caps for windows. It’s sturdier, cheaper, and honestly, more fun.
Week 3: Spreading the Cheer (December 15-21)
We’re in the home stretch. This week is about looking outward and sharing some of that holiday spirit with others.
December 15: Donate Old Toys
This can be a tough sell. “But I looove this broken McDonald’s toy!” I get it. Frame it as a way to make space for new gifts and to help kids who don’t have as many toys. Let them pick out a few items themselves. It’s a powerful lesson in generosity, even through the tears. I promise it gets easier every year.
December 16: Make Birdseed Ornaments
It’s not just about us! Mix birdseed with unflavored gelatin and water, press the mixture into cookie cutters, poke a hole for a string, and let them dry on a baking sheet for a day. Hang them on a tree outside and watch the birds have their own holiday feast. Nature + Craft = Parenting Win.
December 17: Have a Christmas Dance Party
Crank up the music. Mariah Carey. Burl Ives. That one incredibly annoying yet catchy song from Frozen. Jump around the living room like no one is watching. It’s the perfect way to burn off that pre-holiday energy for everyone, including you.
December 18: Make Gifts for Teachers/Neighbors
This is where those salt dough ornaments or decorated pinecones come in handy. Let your child pick one to give to their teacher. Have them make a card to go with it. For neighbors, a small bag of those no-bake cookies tied with a ribbon is always a hit. It teaches them to think of their community.
December 19: Go Ice Skating (or “Ice” Skating)
If you have a rink nearby, this is a magical outing. If not? No worries! Clear the kitchen floor, put on some socks, and “ice skate” to holiday music. It’s free, it’s hilarious, and there are zero tears from falling on actual ice.
December 20: Have a “Fancy” Hot Cocoa Bar
Take that simple hot chocolate up a notch. Set out bowls of toppings: whipped cream, crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings, sprinkles, caramel sauce, and cinnamon sticks. Let everyone build their own ultimate mug of cocoa. It feels like a real event.
December 21: Make Winter Nature Collages
Go for another nature walk (sensing a theme?) and collect interesting twigs, leaves, and berries. When you get home, arrange them on a piece of cardstock or cardboard and glue them down. It’s a beautiful, simple craft that celebrates the season. You can even spray them with a little fake snow for that extra winter-wonderland feel.
Week 4: The Final Countdown (December 22-31)
We are in the red zone. Energy is at an all-time high, patience is at an all-time low. These activities are designed to be simple, engaging, and mostly mess-free.
December 22: Have a Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things to find around the house or outside. “Find something red. Find something that sparkles. Find a candy cane. Find an ornament shaped like a ball.” It’s a fantastic way to keep them occupied for a solid 30 minutes.
December 23: Put Out the Reindeer Food
Remember that magic food we made on December 10th? Tonight’s the night! Go outside, sprinkle it on the lawn, and let the anticipation build. This is the official start of the Christmas Eve excitement.
December 24: Open One Gift (Pajamas!)
The classic. Let them open one gift on Christmas Eve, and make sure it’s a cozy new pair of pajamas. They look adorable in the photos, they’re practical, and it sets the mood for a night of snug anticipation.
December 25: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Today, the list is just one thing: Enjoy the Magic. Watch their faces, embrace the wrapping paper chaos, and eat a cinnamon roll for breakfast. You’ve earned it.
December 26: Post-Christmas Fort Day
The adrenaline crash is real. Build a massive fort with all the blankets and pillows you own. Drag snacks in there, read books, and watch movies. Do not leave the fort unless absolutely necessary. Today is about survival.
December 27: Take Down the Lights Scavenger Hunt
Okay, this one is for you. Turn taking down the indoor decorations into a game. “I spy with my little eye… the plastic Santa that goes on the bookshelf! Go find it and put it in this box!” Makes cleanup slightly less painful.
December 28: Plan a “Thank You” Video
Grab your phone and have the kids record a short video thanking family members for their gifts. It’s more personal than a text and it’s a great way to practice gratitude. Plus, the grandparents will absolutely melt.
December 29: Make a New Year’s Eve Time Capsule
Get a shoebox. Have everyone fill out a sheet of paper with their favorites (song, movie, food), current height, and a hope for next year. Add a few photos and some small mementos from the month. Seal it up and write “Open on January 1st, [Next Year]” on it.
December 30: Balloon Countdown for New Year’s Eve
If you’re staying up (or pretending to) with the kids, blow up 12 balloons. Put a small piece of paper inside each one with a fun activity: “Do a dance,” “Eat a snack,” “Tell a joke.” Starting at noon (or whenever), pop one each hour until midnight to count down to the New Year. It’s genius.
December 31: Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve
Most kids can’t make it to midnight, and honestly, neither can I anymore. Have your own celebration at noon! Make noise with pots and pans, do a countdown, cheers with sparkling apple cider, and pop some confetti poppers. You ring in the “new year” as a family, and then you can all be in bed by 9 p.m. Winning.
So there you have it. A full month of activities, from the beautifully messy to the blissfully simple. Pick the ones that speak to you, toss the ones that don’t, and remember that the real gift is just being together.
Now go forth and have the happiest, sanest December yet. You’ve got this. 🙂
