Thanksgiving is over and everyone is ready for Christmas! The holiday season is a special time for many families. I enjoy watching my kids get excited when they see Christmas lights or open their presents. If you’re looking for ways to get into the holly jolly spirit, check out these holiday activities for families.
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1. Decorate gingerbread houses
Gingerbread houses are one of the most classic holiday family activities. You can make your own or buy a kit from a grocery store. Not a fan of gingerbread? Try graham crackers or sugar cookie house kits.
2. Host a family game night
Around the holidays, lots of families enjoy having game nights. We love board games like Trouble, Chutes & Ladders, Guess Who? and other classic games. My boys love playing video games with their dad. You can create a holiday version of your favorite games or try new ones. Check out different social media channels like TikTok for fun ideas.
3. Enjoy holiday themed breakfast
I love making a themed breakfast for my family. During the holiday season, allow kids to help out and get creative. You can use a holiday waffle maker to make cool waffles or cinnamon rolls. Kids can also help set up a breakfast board with their favorite food.
4. Bake cookies
One of the best holiday activities for families is baking cookies together. We always make these cake batter chocolate chip cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction. Your cookies don’t have to look perfect and kids can get creative with decoration. If you’re not a baker, buy some ready to bake refrigerated sugar cookie dough from your local grocery store then bake and decorate. Make extra cookies then deliver them to neighbors, friends or family.
5. Holiday movie night
Growing up, we had a tradition of watching classic movies on Christmas Eve and Christmas. I decided to start this tradition with my own family. There are so many great family-friendly movies on the Hallmark Channel as well as different streaming networks like Netflix and Disney+. So grab some Christmas cookies and warm drinks then watch your favorite holiday movies for a fun family night.
Enjoy great Christmas movies like:
- Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
- Elf
- A Christmas Story
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Home Alone
- The Christmas Chronicles
6. Host a Christmas karaoke
Does your family love singing? Get the squad together and sing along to some holiday hits. There are some cool karaoke machines available as well as this Bluetooth karaoke wireless microphone. Download a karaoke app on your phone or computer.
7. Go ice skating
Yes, I live in Florida but ice skating is still popular here. Families can visit a local ice skating rink or winter wonderland event. Live somewhere that snows? Take advantage of the cold temperatures and go ice skating outdoors. I did this in Chicago and it was amazing! This is such a fun activity for the entire family and a great way to create holiday memories.
8. Host a baking competition
Have everyone choose their favorite recipe for cupcakes, pies, cookies and other delicious sweet treats then set a time limit for the baking competition. You can also challenge each team to use a specific ingredient like cranberries or candy cane. Get creative and have fun!
9. Go sledding or tubing
If you live somewhere that snows, bundle up the kids to go sledding or tubing. Everyone will have a great time! My husband and I went on a couples trip a few years ago to Breckenridge close to Christmas. We had so much fun sledding on an antique toboggan sled and tubing down a huge hill. This is a great holiday activity for families.
10. Make DIY ornaments
DIY Christmas ornaments are the best! You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make them. Get creative and make memories with your children. Check out this DIY Christmas Ornament Station if you want something simple. I purchased the plastic ornaments at the Dollar Tree when they were still a dollar but these ornaments are similar. This is a great family tradition to start and it’s nice to look at the old ornaments every year. Make sure to follow me on Pinterest, Instagram or TikTok for more fun ideas.
11. Attend a local holiday event
Tis the season for creating magical moments as a family. There are so many places that are hosting holiday activities. Don’t get overwhelmed by all the options. You don’t have to attend all the events. Find one that everyone will enjoy. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, check out these local festive events.
- Enchantment Christmas in St. Petersburg, FL
- Christmas at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL
- ZooTampa Christmas in the Wild in Tampa, FL
- Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Tampa, FL
- Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa, FL
- Holidays at LEGOLAND in Winter Haven, FL
12. Host an ugly Christmas sweater party
Hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party is a great way to make memories with family. The ugly Christmas sweater can be handmade or purchased at a local store. You can create a specific theme like Grinchmas, winter wonderland or Christmas classics.
13. Visit Santa
Visiting Santa’s workshop is a must this holiday season! There are so many places to get a picture with the man in red including malls, theme parks and local events. Your child can dress up or wear Christmas pajamas. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, check out this awesome guide for pictures with Santa.
14. Volunteer
Looking to give back this holiday season? Volunteer as a family at your local food bank or animal shelter. This is a great tradition that your kids can continue as they get older.
15. Drive to see Christmas lights
Go on a drive to see Christmas lights around your city. You can admire all the hard work of people who enjoy decorating their homes for the holidays. There are some places that create a drive through light show that kids and adults will love.
Looking for more Christmas crafts or ways to spend quality time with your family? Visit my Pinterest board as well as these fun holiday activities:
Christmas Glue Dot Practice Worksheet
Christmas Stew Counting Math Game
Candy Cane Water Play Sensory Activity
Dinosaur Christmas Sensory Bin
