Christmas is approaching and magic is in the air. You want to make sure this special holiday is enjoyed and appreciated by the whole family, but planning an itinerary is easier said than done. After all, balancing busy schedules with your budget and interests of the family is no easy task. But we want to help. That’s why we’ve made a list of our top picks for Christmas activities the whole family can enjoy. Get started below to plan the ultimate Holiday bucket list.
Jump to:
- Christmas Activities For Families
- Christmas Activities For Kids
- Fun Christmas Activities For Adults
- Christmas Eve Activities
- Christmas Day Activities
- Other Fun Christmas Activities
Christmas Activities For Families
From planning a family christmas photo shoot to building gingerbread houses– the following Christmas activities are perfect for the whole family. Just choose your favorite from those below or use them to inspire an idea all your own.
1. Take a Holiday Card Photo
Get your family Christmas card squared away early in the season to give you plenty of time to enjoy the Holidays. Either turn a fun family tradition into a photo-op or hire a professional photographer to help you capture the Christmas spirit.
2. Send Soldiers Holiday Cards
Sending soldiers Christmas cards is a perfect activity for the whole family. It gives everyone the chance to let our soldiers know they’re appreciated. To get started, visit our resource on how to send soldiers Christmas cards.
3. Decorate a Gingerbread House
Decorating gingerbread houses is a Christmas classic for a reason. You can either buy a gingerbread house kit or bake the gingerbread from scratch. Whichever you choose, the kids are sure to love decorating the model with all their favorite sweets. Check out our guide on how to make a gingerbread how to begin.
4. Bake Unique Christmas Cookies
Still in the baking mood? If so, help the kids dip into their creativity with a unique Christmas cookie design. Our favorites include pineapple Christmas cookies and a Christmas cookie dog design. Plus, sharing these with Santa is sure to get you on his nice list.
5. Plan a Family Photoshoot
Need an excuse to get the whole family dressed in their Holiday best? Plan a fun family photo shoot for an activity you’ll look back on for years. Just remember to bring hot cocoa and treats to keep the kids smiling through the end of the activity. Looking for the perfect family photo idea to hang on your wall? If so, check out our resource on Christmas photo ideas.
6. Start a New Family Tradition
When in doubt of what to do during the holidays, consider starting a new family Christmas tradition. Whether it’s caroling through the neighborhood to going Christmas tree hunting, you’re sure to find something you’ll look forward to every year.
Christmas Activities For Kids
Finding the right Christmas activities for your children can feel stressful. After all, you want them to experience the magic of the season, but many activities are expensive or too time-consuming. The following Christmas activities are not only affordable but something you can do from your home:
7. Host a Christmas Craft Party
Get the Holiday fun started by hosting a Christmas craft party. Set up stations with various crafts, invite your child’s friends, and prepare a few seasonal snacks to carry them through the party. For specific craft ideas, make sure to visit our post on Christmas crafts for kids.
8. Write Letters to Santa
Writing letters to Santa is a time-honored tradition. Make it a part of your kids’ holiday celebration by making use of our letters to Santa generator and template.
9. Make Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments are a festive and easy craft to pull together. All you need is salt, flour, and water to start crafting. Just make sure to plan a craft table so you can contain the mess along the way!
10. Create Snowglobes From Mason Jars
Snowglobes are great seasonal gifts from kids, and they make a fun Christmas time craft. Help your kids build the ultimate winter snowglobe with the instructions from our resource on mason jar snow globe ideas.
11. Break Out the Coloring Pages
Coloring pages remain a long time favorite among children worldwide. That’s why we created a set of Christmas coloring pages, just for you. Check out our post and download the images for a fun Christmas activity the little ones are sure to love.
Fun Christmas Activities For Adults
Looking for Christmas activities you can do without kids? Whether it’s for an adults-only party or for something you and your significant other can do together, the following activities are plenty of fun.
12. Make a Festive Wine Rack
This Christmas activity can be done alone or with friends. Just follow the instructions from our resource on wine glass Christmas crafts for this simple and beautiful adult craft. And once it’s finished, wine not treat yourself to a glass of your favorite label?
13. Set Up a Christmas Photo Booth
Photo booths make great activities at any Christmas party. Simply find an appropriate Holiday Background, make a few props, and set up a camera to get the party started. For additional ideas, visit our resource on Christmas photo booth props.
14. Visit an Ice Bar
Many cities have a running ice bar all year long, but these venues are especially fun during Christmas time. Just take a few of your friends, dress warmly, and order your favorite beverage.
15. Go Snowshoeing
Looking for a little more exercise in your Christmas activities? Consider going snowshoeing with a few close friends. Many national and local parks organize snowshoeing trails in the winter time, making it a go-to hobby for many.
16. Host an Eggnog Tasting
Love eggnog? Consider hosting an eggnog tasting party for your loved ones. Or ask guests to bring their favorite holiday beverage for a wider tasting menu.
Christmas Eve Activities
Christmas Eve is a special day meant to be spent with family. The following activities will help you made the most out of your holiday and family time.
17. Host a Cookie Exchange
Cookie exchanges are fun parties where you can catch up with friends and family while getting to express your creativity. It’s especially perfect if you’re planning on involving your little ones. For specific ideas, visit our resource on cookie exchange ideas.
18. Throw a Christmas Party
Christmas parties are a great way to spend time with friends and family during the Holidays. For inspiration and decoration ideas, make sure to check out our guide on Christmas party themes.
19. Create a Santa Key
Do you live in an apartment or home without a chimney? If so, you may be wondering how to explain Santa’s arrival to the little ones. Turn their questions into a fun Christmas Eve activity by making a Santa key. For tips and Santa Key poems, visit our post on Santa Key ideas.
20. See Some Christmas Lights
Take the family on a tour of the local lights this Christmas Eve. Pack everyone into a car and include some fun Holiday snacks for the road such as hot chocolate, Chrismas cookies, and candy canes.
21. Attend a Church Service
Many churches offer a special service on Christmas Eve, making it a great activity for religious families. It’s also a great excuse to dress the whole family in their best Christmas attire to celebrate the meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Day Activities
This big day is here and you’re looking for some special activities to help you feel the Christmas spirit. The ideas below range from helping others to getting a little pre-Christmas dinner exercise, perfect for any family.
22. Volunteer
Looking to give back during the Holidays? Take the family to a local shelter or other volunteer organization. This is also a good opportunity to teach the little ones about the spirit of Christmas.
23. Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar
Who doesn’t love hot cocoa during the holidays? Celebrate that warm and fuzzy feeling of Christmas time with your favorite chocolate beverage by setting up a hot chocolate bar. This is a perfect addition for Holiday parties or for visiting family.
24. Take the Family Ice Skating
Ice skating is a Christmas tradition for a reason. It’s active, fun, and a chance to spend some time on the ice (even if you live somewhere that doesn’t get snow.)
25. Go on a Hike or Walk
If you’re looking for a way to walk off a Christmas meal, a family walk or hike is a great idea. It also gives you the chance to check out local Christmas decorations and lights along the way.
Other Fun Christmas Activities
Still looking for a little more inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Check out our additional fun Christmas activities below to help you fill your Holiday planner.
26. Have an Ugly Sweater Party
Ugly sweater parties are a great way to get creative (and a little silly) during the Holidays. Invite your loved ones and hold a competition for the most creative, funny, or elaborate outfits. For more ideas, check out our resource on DIY ugly Christmas sweater ideas.
27. Throw a Rustic Christmas Party
For a more elegant and outdoorsy Christmas party, check out our post on a rustic Christmas party ideas. From a cute hot chocolate truck to outdoor table settings, there’s plenty of ideas to help you plan the ultimate party.
28. Build a Snowman
Building a snowman is one of the most classic and fun Christmas activities to make a part of your family traditions. Accessorize the snowman with a hat, scarf, buttons, sticks and more to bring it to life.
29. Go Sledding
If there’s a local area safe for sledding, consider taking the kids for a day of fun outdoor activity. Just make sure that there aren’t any dangerous materials, such as tree trunks, rocks, or others in their way.
30. Get Your Personalized Gifting Done
Finally, don’t let all of the Holiday activities leave you stretched for time and stressed about finding gifts for under the tree. Check out our holiday and Christmas gifts for a little inspiration.
31. Make Decorations Out of Old Christmas Cards
Are the old holiday cards piling up every year? Is so, turn them into something special with this fun Christmas card craft. Check out our post on how to recycle greeting cards to learn how to transform them into a festive Christmas tree decoration.
Resources Related to Christmas Activities
If you liked this resource on Christmas activities and you’re looking for additional inspiration, make sure to visit our other Christmas ideas and articles below:
