The holidays are here! December is filled with extra fun and family traditions. It’s the perfect time to make memories with your family. Check out this Family Christmas Bucket List!
I have a list of 25 family activities ideas that you can do together. Some are to be enjoyed at home and others will take you outside. There is a mix of both so you can make some fun holiday memories even though this year looks a little different.
Some of the ideas on this list may already be a family tradition in your home. I know my kids are looking forward to driving around town and handing out Christmas Light Awards to their favorite decorated houses!
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At Home Christmas Activity Ideas
Decorate The Christmas Tree – Make decorating the tree a family affair. Put on some Christmas music and enjoy the time together. My kids love to help decorate the tree!
Drink Hot Chocolate – Set up a hot chocolate bar for the family and let the kids choose their mix-ins. Or keep it simple with hot chocolate packets. Don’t forget the bag of marshmallows!
Wear A Festive Sweater – Pick a day and all wear a festive holiday sweater. Don’t have a sweater? Use a tee-shirt instead and decorate it yourself with holiday bows and ribbons.
Wrap Gifts – Get out the wrapping supplies and have a group wrapping evening. Turn on the Christmas music while you all wrap gifts.
Make A Snowglobe – Head to your local dollar store or craft store and get supplies to make your own DIY snow globes. My friend Jaclyn shared an easy tutorial using items from the Dollar Tree.
Read A Christmas Book – Choose a Christmas book to read together before bed. Our family does a Christmas book countdown where we open a Christmas book each evening leading up to Christmas Day.
Bake Cookies – Whether you make cookies homemade or by the dough it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon together. Be sure to make a little extra to share with friends and neighbors.
Watch A Christmas Movie – Gather the family in the living room to watch your favorite Christmas movie. Pop some popcorn and get into pajamas for a cozy family night.
Build Gingerbread Houses – Make this activity super easy by buying a gingerbread house kit! Or you can go traditional by using graham crackers. Make sure to have a variety of candy selection to add to your houses.
Build A Snowman – Bundle up and work as a team to build a snowman in your front yard. If you don’t have snow, use cotton balls to make a snowman on paper.
Read The Birth Of Jesus – Take some time to remember why we celebrate Christmas by reading the story of Jesus birth. Here are a few of our favorite books we read:
Christmas Music Dance Party – Crank up the Christmas tunes and have a family dance party. This is a great time to be silly, laugh and get some exercise too. Add in some glow sticks and turn out the lights for extra dance party fun!
Game Night – Turn off the screens and get out your favorite board games. Add some snacks and enjoy a little family game competition.
Do A Puzzle – Clear off the kitchen table or set up a card table and work together to finish a puzzle.
Activities For Christmas That Think of Others
Fill A Stocking – Have the kids fill a stocking to give to a neighbor or friend. Or fill your kids stocking with fun little toys and treats to open on Christmas Eve.
Deliver Treats – Get out the cookies you saved and put them in a baggie to deliver to friends or neighbors. Or put together a bag of treats from the grocery store.
Exchange Gifts – If you can’t be together in person this year with family, set up a mail gift exchange or email gift card exchange. It’s a good way to connect with your family even if you can’t be together in person this holiday season.
Make & Send Holiday Cards – Get out the paper, scissors and glue and have fun making some homemade cards to mail to family and friends. Or you can hand deliver them!
Donate A Toy – Donate a toy to a local charity. Have the kids pick out and buy the toy with their own money to teach the importance of giving and thinking of others.
Around Town Holiday Family Fun
Look At Christmas Lights – Hop in the car and drive around town looking at Christmas lights. Make it extra fun by handing out Christmas Light Awards to your favorite houses!
Play In The Snow – For those of us who live in warmer climates this may require a drive! Check your town to see if you can go to an event with fake snow. Or you may be blessed to live in an area where it snows at your house.
Take A Family Photo – Get a family photo at a local photography shop or head to a fun outdoor location for a family selfie. If you have a tripod bring it with you and use your camera or phone’s timer.
Go Ice Skating – Visit your local pond or ice skating rink. Make sure you have ice packs ready for all the sore bums afterward 😉
Sing Christmas Carols – Spread some holiday cheer by singing your favorite Christmas carols to neighbors. Or you could enjoy singing them from your car while driving around town looking at lights too.
Celebrate Christmas
The best part – Christmas Day! Our family reads the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke chapter 2 with our family. I really like the peaceful reflection before the opening of presents. We also take time to say a family prayer and give thanks to God for the gifts we are about to open.
Are you ready to do some fun family activities this Christmas season? Download the Christmas Family Activities Bucket List and start the fun!
I hope this Christmas Family Activity Bucket List will inspire you to create wonderful memories with your own family this Christmas season. You decide which activities to do with your family and the ones that would be the most meaningful.
