Christmas is a special time of year, filled with magic and wonder, especially for children. The twinkling lights, the festive music, the anticipation of Santa’s arrival – it all adds up to a season that sparks the imagination and warms the heart. However, it’s also a period where keeping children entertained and engaged can be challenging. That’s where these fun Christmas activities for kids come into play!

This guide will serve as your handy helper, packed with engaging and fun Christmas activities for kids. These activities are not just designed to keep the kids occupied at Grandma’s house, but also to imbue them with the spirit of Christmas. From arts and crafts projects to festive games and baking, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy and create lasting holiday memories.

Plan A Christmas Countdown Calendar With Activities For Each Day

There’s nothing quite like seeing the joy and anticipation of the holiday season through the eyes of a child. A fun and creative way to build up the excitement is to create a Christmas countdown calendar with activities for each day leading up to the big day.

You can use a traditional Advent calendar or make your own by using envelopes, paper bags, or even a string of lights. Each day, you can include an activity for the kids to do such as making ornaments, writing letters to Santa, or watching a Christmas movie together.

Paint by Sticker Kids: Holly Jolly Christmas

Write A Dear Santa Letter And Send To The North Pole

Dear Santa! Writing letters to the North Pole is a beloved Christmas tradition for many families, and it’s a great way to get kids excited about the holiday. Encourage your children to write their own letter to Santa, expressing their wishes and gratitude. They can also include drawings or pictures to make it even more special. Then, you can either mail the letter or drop it off at a local post office. While you’re at it, be sure to go online and check out the NORAD tracking for up-to-the-minute reporting on Santa’s whereabouts.

Make Homemade Ornaments Together For Your Tree Or To Give As Gifts

Get creative and make your own Christmas ornaments with the kids. You can use materials like paper, popsicle sticks, buttons, ribbons, and more to create unique and personalized decorations for your tree. Not only is this activity fun and engaging for children, but it also adds a sentimental touch to your holiday decor. You can also make extra ornaments to give as gifts to friends and family, spreading the joy of the season.

Create A Christmas Scavenger Hunt With Items Found Around The House

Creating a Christmas scavenger hunt is a festive and entertaining activity that kids of all ages can enjoy. This game not only keeps children occupied, but it also stimulates their problem-solving skills and gets them moving around the house, contributing to their physical health. All you need are common household items and a little imagination to create a fun-filled scavenger hunt this Christmas.

• Make a list of holiday-themed items to look for around the house. This could include a candy cane, a Christmas stocking, an ornament, a Christmas card, or even a Santa hat. You can also make the hunt more challenging by including riddles or clues that lead to each item.
• Consider the age and skill level of the children participating in the scavenger hunt. For younger children, you might want to keep the items in easy-to-find places and use simpler clues. For older kids, you can make the clues more difficult and hide the items in trickier spots.
• Remember to keep safety in mind when selecting hiding places. Avoid places that could potentially be dangerous, like high shelves or inside appliances. Also, ensure that the scavenger hunt leads the kids around the house in a safe and orderly manner.

Once the scavenger hunt is over, consider giving out small prizes or certificates to everyone who participated. This not only makes the game more exciting but also encourages children to participate in future activities. Above all, remember that the primary goal is for everyone to have fun and create lasting Christmas memories.

Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

Set Up A Hot Chocolate Bar With Different Toppings And Mix-Ins

Who doesn’t like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day? Why not get creative and set up a hot chocolate bar for the whole family to enjoy? Here are some ideas on how to make your hot chocolate bar extra special:

• Start with a base of delicious hot chocolate. You can use a store-bought mix or make your own from scratch using cocoa powder, sugar, and milk.
• Set out different toppings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, and caramel sauce. This allows everyone to customize their hot chocolate to their liking.
• Don’t forget about mix-ins like flavored syrups (vanilla, peppermint, or caramel), instant coffee for a mocha twist, or even a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream for the adults.
• Consider providing different types of milk or milk alternatives if you have lactose sensitive family members.
• Use festive mugs and straws to add a touch of Christmas spirit to the hot chocolate bar. You can even have personalized mugs for each family member, making it even more special.

Having a hot chocolate bar is not only fun but also allows everyone to create their own delicious masterpiece. It’s also a great activity for those cold days when you want to stay indoors and have some quality family time. So get creative and set up a hot chocolate bar this Christmas season for some warm and tasty fun! Happy sipping!

Cheers! ☕️❄️⛄️

##### Remember to always supervise children when using hot liquids!

Curl Up By The Fireplace With Holiday Stories Or Movies

After you get that hot chocolate served, it’s time to settle in for a relaxing evening by the fireplace. What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with some heartwarming stories or classic movies?

• Gather your family and friends, choose a cozy spot by the fireplace, and take turns reading Christmas stories aloud. This is a great way to spend quality time together and create special memories.
• If you prefer watching movies, have a list of your favorite Christmas classics ready to go. Don’t forget the popcorn and snacks!
• You can also have a theme night where everyone dresses up as their favorite holiday character or wears matching Christmas sweaters.
• Make it extra special by adding some festive decorations around the fireplace, such as garlands, stockings, and twinkling lights.

Top Christmas Movies For Kids

Shop Now

Here’s a list of 10 top-grossing Christmas movies for kids that have not only captivated children but also adults over the years:

1. “Home Alone” – A fun-filled Christmas tale about a boy left home alone to defend his home against burglars during the holiday season.
2. “The Polar Express” – An animated film about a magical train ride to the North Pole that takes viewers on a journey of self-discovery and belief.
3. “The Grinch” – A retelling of the classic Dr. Seuss tale that brings the green, holiday-hating Grinch to life.
4. “Elf” – The hilarious journey of Buddy the Elf, who discovers he is a human and travels to New York City to find his real father.
5. “The Santa Clause” – A heartwarming story about a man who accidentally becomes Santa Claus.
6. “A Christmas Carol” – An animated adaptation of the Dickens classic where the grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas.
7. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – An endearing story about Rudolph, a reindeer with a glowing nose, who helps Santa navigate through a storm.
8. “Frozen” – While not strictly a Christmas movie, the wintry setting and heartwarming story make it a holiday favorite.
9. “Arthur Christmas” – A film that reveals Santa’s high-tech operations underneath the North Pole and the story of his clumsy son, Arthur.
10. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” – A unique blend of Christmas and Halloween, this film explores what happens when Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town and tries to bring it back to his town.

Remember to check the rating before watching to ensure it’s suitable for your kids. Now, grab some popcorn, snuggle up, and enjoy these holiday classics!

Have A Christmas Art Show To Showcase Your Kids’ Creative Works Of Art

Christmas offers the perfect backdrop for showcasing your children’s creativity and artistic abilities. Organizing a home art show can serve as an engaging and entertaining activity, allowing your little ones to express their Christmas spirit through their works of art. This could include anything from hand-drawn Christmas cards to crafted ornaments, from painted winter landscapes to miniature clay models of Santa Claus and his reindeer.

Encourage your kids to use a variety of materials and techniques, fostering their artistic exploration, and let them take pride in displaying their work. You can even invite family and friends to the ‘exhibition’, transforming the event into a small, festive gathering. Not only does this event encourage creativity, but it also boosts their confidence, instills a sense of accomplishment, and creates lasting memories of a special Christmas celebration.

Make Gingerbread Houses Using Graham Crackers, Icing, And Candy Decorations

What better to go with your hot chocolate sugar coma than a freshly baked Gingerbread house? Rather than fussing over baking gingerbread from scratch, use graham crackers as the base for your house. The icing serves as a strong adhesive to hold everything together, and you can let your kids decorate with their favorite candies.

Take this activity a step further by organizing a neighborhood ‘Gingerbread House making’ competition or inviting another family over to make it more fun.

Easy Traditional Oven-Baked Gingerbread Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. Stir well to mix.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the molasses and the egg to the butter mixture, stirring well to combine.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
6. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch on a lightly floured surface.
7. Use gingerbread cutters to shape the cookies and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are set.
9. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before removing them.

Enjoy your homemade gingerbread cookies!

Gather Around The Living Room For Board Games And Popcorn

In our modern age, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our devices and kids spend way too much time glued to a screen as it is. Why not take this opportunity when schools are out for the holidays to spend some quality time together as a family? Gather around the living room, turn off the screens and break out some classic board games!

Some popular options include:

• Monopoly
• Scrabble
• Trivial Pursuit
• Clue
• Pictionary

But don’t let these suggestions limit you – there are endless possibilities when it comes to board games. From strategy to luck-based, cooperative to competitive, there is a game out there for everyone.

Don’t have any board games on hand? No problem! You can easily create your own by using everyday items like paper and pencils or even repurposing old playing cards. Encourage creativity and critical thinking by having each family member contribute to the creation of a new game.

The Best Board Games Of All Time

Concluding Thoughts From Life Happens With Kids

In conclusion, Christmas can be a time of joy, creativity, and family bonding for children. By engaging in festive baking, such as making gingerbread cookies, and embracing traditional board games, families can cultivate an atmosphere of warmth and laughter. These activities not only provide a respite from the digital world, but also stimulate children’s creativity and strategic thinking. A memorable Christmas doesn’t require extravagance; sometimes, the most cherished moments come from the simplest of activities, spent with loved ones around the warmth of the home.