25 Christmas activities to do at home with kids
Last Updated on April 4, 2024
Christmas is full of activities that take us out of the house, but as the days get shorter, the nights cooler, and our energy levels start to fizzle, having a list of Christmas activities to do at home with kids could be just what’s needed to encourage us to spend some much needed time at home.
If having some home days filled with Christmas fun is something that you’d like to do, here are some fantastic Christmas activities you could try, maybe some may even become part of your family Christmas traditions.
Make a Christmas treat
There are many easy Christmas recipes that you can do at home with kids, that will keep your kids entertained for a good amount of time, and will also result in something yummy to be eaten.
Decorate Christmas cookies
Decorating Christmas cookies is one of my favourite Christmas activities to do at home with kids, because kids love decorating food.
You could make your own cookies and cut them into shapes such as gingerbread men, stars, trees and even Santa, or buy pre made ones.
Decorate a gingerbread house
Another food decoration idea is to decorate a gingerbread house, which you could make yourself, buy a pre made one, or buy pre made pieces that you assemble and that your kids decorate.
They can get really creative with their decorations, and use anything they like, that may include icing, lollies, and sprinkles.
Have a festive Christmas breakfast
Starting the day with a festive Christmas breakfast is a nice way to spend time as a family before the day gets too busy.
Some Christmas breakfast ideas include:
Tree decoration
Decorating your tree with older kids is a really nice way to start the festive season.
Younger kids can also enjoy this activity by decorating table trees, or by helping to decorate the larger tree with toddler friendly Christmas decorations.
Decorate your windows
Another area that can be decorated are windows with spray on frost, or paper snowflakes.
Play your favourite board games
This activity is perfect for a rainy day, and allows everyone to do something together.
If you have younger kids who aren’t old enough to play board games, they could do puzzles, or create things with Lego.
Arts and crafts
Christmas arts and crafts are a great way to entertain kids over Christmas. is a great way to entertain kids over Christmas.
Some ideas are:
- Christmas cards
- Paper chains
- Christmas angels
- Christmas tree ornaments
- Name tags for Christmas lunch or dinner
- A key for Santa to enter the house
- Christmas colouring sheets
Related posts:
10 easy arts and crafts activities for kids to do this summer
10 easy Halloween crafts for kids
Make your own wreath
Making your own wreath is a great Christmas activity to do with kids, as it allows them to work with materials they wouldn’t normally use, and the finished product can be part of your home’s Christmas decorations.
You can make your own wreath, or buy one that’s already made, and then decorate it with fake snow, dried fruit, berries, flowers, or pine cones.
Write a letter to Santa
Kids will have a lot of fun writing a letter to Santa, and when Santa replies they won’t believe it!
If you’re in the UK, details on how to do this can be found on the Royal Mail website.
Santa and reindeer treats
Make a list of some of the things you can leave out for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve, and then closer to the date decide on what you’ll choose.
You could even include the Christmas treats you made on this list.
Have a festive picnic
Get out your picnic blanket, favourite snacks, and some finger food, and have a festive picnic at home.
Make a Christmas playlist
Make a Christmas playlist that you can play during the festive season, or at night for a fun family dance party.
Some Christmas songs for kids include:
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Brenda Lee
- Let It Snow, by Boyz II Men
- Underneath the Tree, by Kelly Clarkson
- Jingle Bell Rock, by Bobby Helms
- Christmas Time, by Backstreet Boys
- Last Christmas, by Wham
Create a photo booth
Create a photo booth where your kids can choose different outfits and disguises to wear for a fun family photo.
Donate unwanted toys
If your kids are lucky enough to get new toys for Christmas, a really fantastic thing to do is have a toy declutter and donate any toys that are still in working condition to a local toy drive.
Read some Christmas books
Another one of my favourite Christmas activities to do at home with kids is to read Christmas themed books, which for an extra magical touch could be done under your Christmas tree’s sparkling lights.
Some really lovely kids Christmas books include:
- The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
- Dear Santa, by Marcy Kelman
- The Jolly Christmas Postman, by Janet Ahlberg and Allan Ahlberg
- There’s an Elf in Your Book, by Tom Fletcher and Greg Abbott
- The Snowman, by Raymond Briggs
Related post:
10 best books for 6 year olds
Christmas scavenger hunt
Having a Christmas scavenger hunt is a lot of fun.
To do this Christmas activity, leave a series of clues around your home asking your kids to find or take photos of certain things.
Once they finish, their prize could be a small present, or some chocolate coins.
Write a Christmas story
Older kids will love creating their own Christmas story, complete with characters, pictures, and words.
Speak to family and friends
Video calls, or making a Christmas video message, is a great way to keep in contact with family and friends who you’re unable to see during the holidays.
Make a popcorn garland
This Christmas activity is another great way to decorate your house or Christmas tree.
All you need to do is thread some popcorn onto some string, then decorate your area of choice with it.
Have a Christmas movie marathon
This is a Christmas activity that I’m hoping to do this year, which involves choosing some Christmas movies, snuggling under a blanket, and watching it with a hot drink and popcorn.
Some family friendly Christmas movie ideas are:
- Home Alone
- The Grinch
- Elf
- Miracle on 34th Street
- National Lampoon Christmas Family Vacation
Create a hot chocolate masterpiece
Hot chocolates are perfect for cooler nights, and can be made fun by making a hot chocolate station with a selection of toppings that your kids can add to theirs.
Some topping ideas are:
- Marshmallows
- Crushed candy canes
- Chocolate flakes
- Sprinkles
Track Santa
I love this Christmas activity, and although it doesn’t take much time, it’s a really nice way to get your kids excited about Santa’s arrival.
You can track Santa here.
Make your own advent calendar
For something a little different, you could make your own advent calendar, filled with items that your kids love, or that they could use for other Christmas activities.
Hang stockings, or decorate your own
Hanging pre made stockings, or getting your kids to decorate a plain stocking and then hanging them can be a lot of fun.
Related posts:
Practical stocking stuffer ideas for babies
Stocking stuffer ideas for toddlers
Stocking stuffer ideas for preschoolers
What are your favourite things to do over Christmas with kids?
