<\/p>\n
For many of us, Christmas time means a little more time with family and a break from school. We do an adventure points system<\/a> over summer break, but I wanted to brainstorm some more Christmas ideas. Here are some fun Christmas activities for kids that encourage creativity, imagination, and movement during the holiday season.<\/p>\n I already have a big list of 100+ boredom-busting activities<\/a> for kids. But sometimes it\u2019s nice to have something a little more in the holiday spirit for them to do. Most of these easy Christmas activities for kids are free, can be done at home, or are near you.\u00a0<\/p>\n Maybe your kids are home on Christmas break and you\u2019re looking for a fun family activity to do together. Or maybe they\u2019re getting a little bored and are looking for something hands-on.<\/p>\n Our family focuses on gratitude and giving over the Christmas season, so you\u2019ll find plenty of kid-friendly ideas that line up with that principle. There\u2019s just something a little magical about this time of year and it\u2019s nice to enjoy fun Christmas activities alongside a mug of (healthy) hot cocoa.<\/p>\n The ideas below aren\u2019t divided by age, but you may find that some of your kids will enjoy one activity over another. Older kids aren\u2019t as thrilled with sensory bins and toddlers aren\u2019t really able to do an activity like snowboarding. So pick and choose what works best for your family.<\/p>\n Some of these work well as Christmas party activities for kids if you\u2019re hosting a family gathering. Or if you\u2019re an educator, they can be done in school in a classroom setting.\u00a0<\/p>\n Playdough is a hit with preschoolers everywhere and it\u2019s easy to make your own. I like this playdough recipe<\/a> here, plus it\u2019s gluten-free for kids who have allergies. I\u2019ll add a little natural red or green food coloring to make it holiday colored. Add a little peppermint extract to the batch to make a fun candy cane playdough!<\/p>\n This one is great for toddlers and preschoolers. Even kids who are a little older love getting their hands in a bin of rice or beans for sensory play! The best sensory activity is one that encourages creativity and free play. It\u2019s not as fun if the parent spends more time putting all of the details together than the kids do playing with it.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also a great opportunity for little ones to use tweezers, spoons, and other utensils to transfer the objects from one container to another. This is a fun way to practice fine motor skills.<\/p>\n You may be a paper plate, popsicle stick, and glitter kind of family or maybe your kids prefer less crafty art projects. I enjoy sitting down with the kids to draw or paint, and we\u2019ve done several art projects this way together. Here are a few holiday crafts the whole family can do together.<\/p>\n Do a science experiment (together or have the kids do one on their own). I love this book<\/a> for the kids because it has projects they can mostly do themselves. And I don\u2019t have to buy any special ingredients or supplies.<\/p>\n KiwiCo <\/a>also offers a subscription box for those who love having science experiments delivered. They also have art and craft boxes if that\u2019s your thing. I like that they have options for everyone from babies to teens (and older) and for different budgets.<\/p>\n If your kids aren\u2019t old enough to wield a paintbrush yet, then try this edible finger paint!<\/a> I use spirulina or spinach for the green color and beets for a pinkish red. They have a lot of fun painting with it and I don\u2019t worry if they get some in their mouth. The art projects only last for about a day, so I\u2019ll snap a picture if it\u2019s something I want to keep.<\/p>\n Kids can have fun making their own beeswax crayons with this DIY project<\/a>. Use a silicone mold<\/a> in fun, Christmas themed shapes like gingerbread, trees or snowmen.\u00a0<\/p>\n A candy covered gingerbread house isn\u2019t something you\u2019re going to find on my table. However, there is a way to get in on the fun and still be (relatively) healthy. I\u2019ll make sweets for the kids on occasion, just with healthier ingredients.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a tutorial for an AIP gingerbread house<\/a> or a regular version <\/a>that you can easily make with organic ingredients. Dried fruit, nuts, coconut shreds, and dark chocolate make great decorations. Stick it all on with the frosting recipe from the bottom of this vanilla cake post.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n One year my kids wanted gingerbread cookies so I came up with this molasses cookies recipe<\/a>. It has all the flavors of gingerbread without the junky ingredients. Coconut macaroons<\/a>, snickerdoodles <\/a>and chewy chocolate cookies<\/a> are also a big hit at our house.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n This is the perfect opportunity for the kids to bake some treats for the neighbors, nursing home residents, or extended family and give as a gift.<\/p>\n Christmas is the one time of the year when we all wear coordinating outfits and snap a family picture. Even if you\u2019re like us and send out a family photo Christmas card, you can pair it with a homemade card. Kids can use construction paper, paint<\/a>, and markers<\/a> to make their own Christmas cards with a heartfelt note. These can either be mailed or hand delivered.<\/p>\n Christmas activities for kids can be delicious too. Years ago I started making my own homemade marshmallows. The kids love the taste and they\u2019re full of gut healing gelatin and naturally sweetened.<\/p>\n These matcha marshmallows<\/a> are a festive green color. Or add some peppermint extract (instead of vanilla) to my homemade marshmallows recipe<\/a> for a seasonal flavor.<\/p>\n You can play some Christmas songs in the background while the kids are doing chores around the house, cooking meals<\/a>, or doing fun projects. Do some Christmas song karaoke or dance to your favorite tunes for fun movement.<\/p>\n Countdown to Christmas day with an Advent calendar. I use this one that gives a prompt for a kind act we can do each day. It takes the focus off of getting stuff and encourages us to do for others. Here are more ways our family honors the advent season.<\/a><\/p>\n Make a list of Christmas movies to watch together and make some popcorn<\/a> and snacks. We keep a basket of blue light blocking glasses<\/a> in our living for everyone on family movie nights. It\u2019s a Wonderful Life is one of our favorites that we watch every year.<\/p>\n Every year I gift the kids a photo book with some of their favorite memories from the past year. They always look forward to it and enjoy looking back on what they\u2019ve been up to. Kids can make their own keepsake photo books with their holiday memories. They can also make one with favorite family recipes from the holiday season.<\/p>\n Some kids may need a little more help than others with formatting their special photo book, but places like Mixbook <\/a>make it really easy.<\/p>\n Hot cocoa is a must have in our house. Even better if it has some homemade marshmallows on top! Make some homemade cocoa to sip on while wrapping gifts or reading a favorite Christmas book. I also like this healthy premade hot chocolate<\/a> that\u2019s packed with superfoods (like medicinal mushrooms).<\/p>\n If your kids are anything like mine were, they\u2019re fascinated with snowglobes. They can make their own with a small figurine or ornament and a mason jar. Here\u2019s a simple tutorial for how to make a glitter snow globe<\/a> from a Mason jar.<\/p>\n If your kids like working with air dry or oven bake clay, then they can have fun making their own customized ornaments. Salt dough is another great way to make homemade ornaments, even for young kids. Little ones can make a handprint ornament to give to the grandparents. Or use cookie cutters to make Christmas shapes to decorate.<\/p>\n Get the tutorial for how to make salt dough ornaments<\/a> here.<\/p>\n The kids can make a popcorn garland or string together cranberries and dried oranges. This is a fun activity to do while listening to a favorite Christmas book or music. You can hang the finished garlands around the Christmas tree, the stairway, or even the wall.<\/p>\n Get the instructions for how to make a DIY natural Christmas garland <\/a>here.<\/p>\n Decorate the window for a festive Christmas display. Kids can hang up some Christmas lights, garlands, or ornaments for passers-by to see. You can even get large, removable holiday themed stickers<\/a> for the kids to put on the glass.<\/p>\n Some kids love fairy gardens and can rearrange and play with the pieces for hours. Help the kids make a holiday themed version with gnomes. You can add little gnome figurines, rocks, moss, twigs, and other natural ingredients to the garden. Lincoln logs also make great gnome houses!<\/p>\n Learn how to make your own gnome (or fairy) garden<\/a> here.<\/p>\n Anything that requires movement and creativity is a win in my book.\u00a0<\/p>\n My girls started sewing at a young age and they\u2019ve had a lot of fun with sewing projects over the years. This easy burlap wreath tutorial can be customized to make any shape you want. I did an egg for Easter, but kids could also cut out and sew a gingerbread man, a star, or a Christmas tree.<\/p>\n Get the instructions for a DIY burlap wreath <\/a>here.<\/p>\n Find a local Christmas tree farm and go pick one out together. Whether you opt for a real tree or an artificial one, decorating it is another favorite Christmas activity. Don\u2019t forget to put on some Christmas music and sip on a peppermint mocha<\/a> or homemade hot cocoa<\/a> while you decorate!<\/p>\n The week before or after Christmas (when we\u2019re not busy doing school), the kids and I go around the house looking for things to get rid of. Things that we can share with others that they\u2019ll benefit from. This helps make room for the new gifts and items coming in on Christmas day. The idea isn\u2019t to clear out junk, but to bless someone else with something they\u2019ll love.<\/p>\n We also do what we call the surprise Santa tradition. We find another family, either through a local church or a domestic violence shelter who is in need. Then we\u2019ll get them gifts, clothing<\/a>, enough food for some meals, and gift cards. Even though we don\u2019t actually meet them in person, my kids absolutely love doing this for others.<\/p>\n Our neighborhood has a wagon full of carolers that go around singing Christmas carols to the neighbors. Your kids can go caroling around their own neighborhood, at a local hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility (if rules allow). It\u2019s a great way to spread free Christmas cheer.<\/p>\n The kids can make their own Christmas gifts for friends and family. Younger kids may need a little more help with this one. Some popular DIY gifts around here are things like lotion bars<\/a> and sugar cookie lip scrub.<\/a> You can find a whole list of DIY gift ideas<\/a> here.<\/p>\n For years our family has had a fishy tradition. On Christmas Eve we\u2019ll make a traditional Sicilian feast of the seven fishes. Yes, I really make 7 different types of fish! A lot of times it\u2019s something small like an oyster, or a crab cake so we don\u2019t end up eating a huge amount.<\/p>\n The kids love getting involved with the planning and the making of the meal. You can read more <\/a>about how this tradition started for us and why we do it here.<\/p>\n Get outside and into the fresh air with these Christmas activities for kids ideas.<\/p>\n If you live in an area where there\u2019s snow, building a snowman is a timeless kid\u2019s activity. Everyone can work together to build the ultimate snowman, or each family member can create their own. No snow? Make one inside with moon sand.<\/a><\/p>\n Many towns have Christmas light displays that are fun to go see. You may find one at the local park. Or maybe the neighbors don\u2019t pull any punches when it comes to decorating their yards for Christmas. Take a walk around and enjoy the lights together!<\/p>\n Ice skating is a fun way to get some more movement in during the colder weather. Even if you don\u2019t live near a pond or lake that\u2019s safe to skate on, you can probably find a local indoor or outdoor rink. Some offer discounts for groups or during certain (slower) times of the day.<\/p>\n Of course, I couldn\u2019t leave out this classic pastime. If you\u2019re in an area with enough snow, then find a big hill and haul out the sleds. You may also be able to find a tobogganing track near your area.<\/p>\n Put together a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Make a list (or use pictures) of items the kids can find around the neighborhood. These can be things like Christmas lights, a snowman, a cardinal, and a wreath. They can work in teams or individually to find the items. Or instead of a checklist, turn it into a bingo card and see who can get 5 in a row first.<\/p>\n Here are a few more Christmas activities for kids:<\/p>\n Does your family have any special traditions or activities during the holidays? I\u2019d love to hear about them! Let me know in the comments below!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For many of us, Christmas time means a little more time with family and a break from school. We do an adventure points system over summer break, but I wanted to brainstorm some more Christmas ideas. Here are some fun Christmas activities for kids that encourage creativity, imagination, and movement during the holiday season. Christmas […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[327],"tags":[827,1557,1859,855,1545],"class_list":{"0":"post-5289","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-activities","9":"tag-christmas","10":"tag-holiday","11":"tag-kids","12":"tag-season"},"yoast_head":"\nChristmas Activities for Kids<\/h2>\n
Christmas Playdough<\/h3>\n
Holiday Themed Sensory Bin<\/h3>\n
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Christmas Craft Activities For Kids<\/h3>\n
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Science Experiments<\/h3>\n
Fingerpaint<\/h3>\n
Make Your Own Crayons<\/h2>\n
Build a Gingerbread House<\/h3>\n
Bake Christmas Cookies<\/h3>\n
Make a Christmas Card<\/h3>\n
Festive Marshmallows<\/h3>\n
Christmas Songs<\/h3>\n
Advent Calendar<\/h3>\n
Christmas Movies<\/h3>\n
Capture the Memories<\/h3>\n
Sip on Cocoa<\/h3>\n
Make a DIY Christmas Snowglobe<\/h3>\n
DIY Christmas Ornaments<\/h3>\n
Make a Garland<\/h3>\n
Craft a Window Display<\/h3>\n
Make a Gnome Garden<\/h3>\n
Christmas Games For Kids<\/h2>\n
Make a Holiday Wreath<\/h3>\n
Christmas Tree<\/h3>\n
Donate to Local Families in Need<\/h3>\n
Go Christmas Caroling<\/h3>\n
DIY Christmas Gifts<\/h3>\n
Christmas Eve Feast<\/h3>\n
Outdoor Christmas Activities for Kids<\/h2>\n
Build a Snowman<\/h3>\n
Christmas Lights<\/h3>\n
Go Ice Skating<\/h3>\n
Sledding<\/h3>\n
Christmas Scavenger Hunt<\/h3>\n
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