Looking for some low key Christmas Activities for your family?
Our 2020’s have been a doozy! This year you might be wondering — “How can I celebrate and countdown to Christmas with my family?”
I have put together tons of great at home and socially safe (and simple for you) low key Christmas Activities for families.
In our family, we have always done the countdown to Christmas using some sort of numeric countdown from 25! I have done little bags with a treat in them. LEGO Advent Calendars. The classic chocolate-a-day countdowns (this Trader Joe’s 4-pack is awesome).
By far though, my kids’ favorite countdown is the Christmas Activities each day!
Here is my list that will absolutely work for you this year!
1. Holiday Light Drive
We call this “The Christmas Express” in our house. For this activity, the kids get in their jammies, we pack up popcorn & hot cocoa, and all pile in the car. We drive to see some of our favorite local Christmas light displays while listening to Christmas music.
There are lots of additional Holiday Light Displays that are pay by car that you can look for in your local area. I have heard they will be amazing this year.
2. Polar Express Day
Who doesn’t love the Polar Express movie? Get the movie or the book (we do both) and gather the family together. Have hot chocolate and cookies while watching the movie together under blankets. Be sure to grab some bells for each member and print out these tickets!
3. Grinch Theme Day
Grinch day can be so much fun!! Make some green pancakes, add food coloring drops to soda water, or these adorable grinch cookies. Then you have a few movie options to watch with Classic Grinch, live-action Grinch, or the newest one (that is our family’s favorite since it was released in 2018). Plus you can grab the How the Grinch Stole Christmas book!
4. Baking Cookies
Lots of families bake cookies for Christmas. This year you can take this activity to a new level of fun. Let each child choose a type of Christmas cookie (I like to give them options) and then spend time with each child to make the cookie of their choosing. This provides the opportunity for one-on-one time and memories. It is also slightly more manageable than having multiple kids all baking and tossing flour, around the kitchen at the same time.
5. Christmas Ornaments
I love to make special family Christmas ornaments each year from my kids to grandparents – plus one for our tree too. This post shows some that we have done that are pretty simple. This activity is great because it is a little heirloom item that kids love to put on the tree every year.
6. Winter Hikes
Heading out into nature is a perfect way to spend some family time together. This might not be specific to Christmas but it is full of winter wonder. We like to collect some pine cones, breathe in the fresh cold air, and look for animal tracks in the ice & snow. Here is a little Winter Scavenger Hunt too that you can use in your neighborhood.
7. Make Bird Feeders
After you have gone for your winter hike, bring home those pine cones and make a simple Bird Feeder. All you need is the pinecone, string, peanut butter, and birdseed. It is a simple past time but kids really love to make these. Hang them in a tree near a window so that you can watch for the winter birds to find their treat.
See this post for more info.
8. Build Gingerbread Houses
For these, you can either buy a great Gingerbread House kit or make from scratch. Here is a little list if you head to the store:
- graham crackers
- vanilla frosting
- candy canes
- gumdrops
- m&m’s
- Skittles
- mini-marshmallows
9. Christmas Nativity
We especially love to pull out our nativity sets. We have several that all get used to reenact the precious Christmas Story in our home. I might read a book while the kids take turns moving the donkey to the stable, or the Wisemen to the baby. A few favorites are Fisher-Price Little People, this adorable set I bought recently, or make your own story stones.
10. Santa Clause
This jolly ole’ fellow is so fun for little ones to learn about! There are classic Christmas specials we love to watch like “A year without a Santa Clause” or “Santa Clause is coming to Town.” I like to put these specials on, make some Santa cookies and Santa Clause crafts. Not too mention the many fun and bright books that you can grab.
11. Candy Canes
A box of candy canes can go a long way!! I let my kids crush candy canes for hot cocoa or just hang one off the side of the mug. We read The Legend of the Candy Cane while enjoying their sweet peppermint taste. You can also make candy canes on a pipe cleaner and alternating pony beads. Or use Do-A-Dot Art Paints to create a candy cane pattern and frame for your wall. I love to do a Candy Cane hunt in the yard too. Finally, hanging them on the tree to see how long they last is always fun!
12. Ugly Sweater Day
This can be SO fun for families! Grab an old shirt or sweater, some crafting supplies at the local dollar store, and let everyone create. Then have a fun contest to see who’s was the “ugliest”, the funniest”, the “cheeziest”, and so on. Make sure to have the camera ready for this one!
13. Make Reindeer food
As you prepare cookies for Santa, don’t forget Rudolph and his friends. Check out this simple reindeer food recipe — oats, Christmas sugar (red & green), glitter, and cinnamon — and get the kids to mix it up. Scoop into individual bags (ziplock or other) and attach the label. On Christmas Eve, the kids can go out and sprinkle it on the front lawn to feed the reindeer.
Here is a printable label for you to staple onto the top of the bag. Here is the post!
14. Christmas Photo Booth
Buy or make some fun photo booth props then take funny photos in front of the tree or fireplace. These could also make great Christmas cards.
15. Christmas Science
Kids love to mix and create. Grab the vinegar and baking soda, add some Christmas food coloring and those crushed candy canes —- let them get mixing!
16. Firepit & S’mores
If you can get outside and bundle up around the fire with family and chocolate….nothing is better. Make some s’mores and even invite a few friends for some outdoor socializing. We have a small set up that brings me such joy to sit with my family in the chilly air. Grab Grahams, marshmallows, Hershey chocolate, and some sticks to get toasting.
These activities are each a great time to connect this Christmas with the people closest to us. Let’s be ever grateful for them and see these times as opportunities.
Check out my Christmas Pinterest page for LOTS of other great Christmas Science and Craft ideas!
Trying to keep your hearts on Christ? Check out this post for Special Christmas Advent too.
These Low Key Christmas Activities are simple to pull together, do at home or socially safe, and will create memories for your whole family.
What would you add? Do you have favorite traditions already? Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear from you!
Best,
