Christmas Activities for Kids: Looking for Easy Christmas Crafts?

The Calendar Year may get paid commission for purchases made after clicking a link on this page. 
This website is for inspiration purposes only. The content provided is meant to spark creativity and ideas, not to serve as professional advice or as endorsement.

Look, I’ll be honest with you. Every December, I find myself scrambling for things to keep kids entertained during the Christmas season. You know how it goes. The excitement builds, the sugar intake increases, and suddenly, you need a plan.

So this year, I decided to actually collect some ideas that work. Not Pinterest-perfect activities that require seventeen supplies you don’t have. Just real, doable things that might actually happen in your house.

Let me share what I’ve found.

Baking and Decorating Cookies

This one seems obvious, right? But here’s the thing. You don’t need to make it complicated. I used to stress about perfect gingerbread men and elaborate icing designs. Now I just grab whatever cookie dough works.

Sugar cookies are great because kids can use cookie cutters. Children will spend ages pressing shapes into dough. Then comes the decorating part, which honestly gets messy. But that’s fine. Put down some newspaper or a plastic tablecloth first.

For icing, you can buy ready-made tubes or make a simple mixture with powdered sugar and milk. Add food colouring if you want. Sprinkles are essential, obviously. The more colours, the better, according to kids.

The Food Network has tons of simple cookie recipes if you need inspiration. I usually pick the ones with the shortest ingredient lists.

One tip I learned recently: let the cookies cool completely before decorating. Otherwise, the icing just slides right off. Also, lower your expectations. Your cookies will not look like the ones on Instagram. And that’s perfectly okay.

The best part? Kids can give decorated cookies to teachers, neighbours, or grandparents. It feels like a proper homemade gift without too much effort on your part.

Making Paper Snowflakes

Remember doing this as a kid? It’s still just as satisfying. All you need is white paper and scissors. Well, and maybe some patience for the cleanup afterwards.

I like this activity because it’s quiet. After all the holiday chaos, sometimes you need something calm. Kids can sit at the table and fold and cut while you drink your coffee nearby.

Start with square paper. Regular printer paper works fine if you cut it into squares first. Fold it in half, then in half again. Keep folding until you have a small triangle shape. Then let kids cut little shapes out of the edges.

The magic happens when they unfold it. Every snowflake turns out different. Some look amazing, some look like Swiss cheese. Both are fine.

You can hang finished snowflakes in windows using tape. Or string them together to make garlands. We’ve even used them as gift wrap decorations instead of buying bows.

Martha Stewart has templates if your kids want more guidance. But honestly, the freestyle approach works well too. There’s no wrong way to cut a snowflake.

This activity works for different ages. Little ones might need help with folding. Older kids can create really intricate designs. Either way, it kills time on those long December afternoons.

Creating Homemade Christmas Cards

Okay, so store-bought cards are easier. I get it. But there’s something nice about handmade ones. Plus, it keeps kids busy for a good chunk of time.

You don’t need fancy cardstock. Just fold regular paper in half. Or grab some construction paper if you have it lying around. Crayons, markers, stickers, glitter. Whatever art supplies you already own.

Kids like drawing Christmas trees, snowmen, and Santa. The artistic quality varies wildly. But grandparents love receiving them anyway. Actually, they probably love them more because they’re wonky and authentic.

For younger children, you can trace their hands and turn them into reindeer. Add googly eyes and a red pom pom nose. It’s cute and easy. Older kids might want to write their own messages inside.

We usually make cards for family members, teachers, and a few close friends. Then we actually mail them, which kids think is exciting. Going to the post office becomes part of the activity.

The USPS website has information about holiday mailing deadlines if you’re in the US. For other countries, check your local postal service. You obviously want the cards to arrive before Christmas.

This activity teaches kids about thinking of others. Plus, it’s cheaper than buying a box of cards. And way more personal.

Watching Classic Christmas Movies

Sometimes you just need to sit down. And that’s when movies become your best friend. There are so many Christmas films out there for kids.

The classics work well. “Home Alone” if your kids are old enough. “The Polar Express” for the younger ones. “Elf” usually gets everyone laughing. “A Christmas Story” is great for slightly older children.

We try to make it special by turning off the lights and using Christmas tree lights instead. Popcorn is basically mandatory. Sometimes I let them have hot chocolate too, even though that’s asking for spills.

Disney+, Netflix, and other streaming services have holiday sections. You can also find lists of Christmas movies on Common Sense Media, which includes age ratings. That helps you pick something appropriate.

For families outside the US, many of these movies are available internationally. Or you might have your own local Christmas films. In the UK, everyone watches “The Snowman”. Different countries have different traditions.

I try to spread out movies throughout December rather than watching them all at once. It gives you something to look forward to each weekend. And honestly, it’s the easiest activity on this list.

Just you, the kids, and a screen. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

Building Gingerbread Houses

Fair warning: this one can get frustrating. But kids love it, so we keep trying. Pre-made gingerbread house kits make it much easier than attempting from scratch.

You can find kits at most grocery stores in December. They come with everything you need: pre-baked gingerbread pieces, icing, and candy decorations. Some are easier to assemble than others. Read reviews if buying online.

The assembly part requires patience. The walls need to stick together using icing as glue. Sometimes they fall down. Multiple times. This is normal. Just take deep breaths and try again.

Once the structure is standing, kids can decorate it however they want. Candy canes, gumdrops, chocolate chips, whatever. There’s no right way to do it. Ours always end up looking chaotic, but the children are proud of them.

You can find gingerbread house ideas and troubleshooting tips at Wilton. They have step-by-step guides that actually help. Unlike some tutorials that assume you’re secretly a professional baker.

Set aside about 2 hours for this project. Maybe longer if things go wrong. And they might. But that’s part of the experience, right?

Keep the finished house on display until it gets too stale or someone sneaks too much candy off it. Whichever comes first.

Going on Christmas Light Walks

This costs nothing and gets everyone out of the house. Win-win situation. Bundle up the kids and walk around your neighbourhood looking at Christmas lights.

Some neighbourhoods go all out with decorations. Others are more subtle. Either way, kids enjoy spotting lights and inflatable Santas. Make it a game by counting how many houses have reindeer or how many roofs have lights.

For colder climates, bring hot chocolate in a thermos. Or promise hot chocolate when you get home. Bribery works. In warmer climates, evening walks are pleasant without much bundling.

In the US, many cities have famous light displays. You can search for “Christmas lights near me” to find local spots. Some neighbourhoods organise events where many houses participate.

The American Christmas Light Association has a directory of displays across the country. Other countries have similar resources. In Australia, some neighbourhoods do summer Christmas light displays. Same concept, different weather.

If your kids are little, bring a stroller for when they get tired. Even if they insist they’ll walk the whole way. They won’t.

We usually do these walks a few times throughout December. It’s free entertainment that feels festive. Plus, everyone sleeps better after walking around outside.

Crafting Salt Dough Ornaments

Here’s something that keeps kids occupied and creates actual keepsakes. Salt dough ornaments are easy to make with ingredients you probably already have.

The recipe is simple: 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water. Mix it together until it forms a dough. If it’s too sticky, add more flour. If it’s too dry, add a bit more water.

Kids can roll it out and use cookie cutters to make shapes. Stars, trees, hearts, whatever. Use a straw to poke holes in the top before baking. That’s where the string goes for hanging.

Bake at a low temperature, around 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit. They need a few hours in the oven. Don’t rush it or they’ll stay soft inside. You want them completely hard and dry.

After they cool, kids can paint them. Acrylic paint works best. Then add a coat of clear sealer if you want them to last. Thread ribbon through the holes and hang them on your tree.

The Best Ideas for Kids has detailed instructions and decoration ideas. I’ve referred to this site multiple times because I always forget the exact recipe.

These ornaments last for years if you store them properly. They’re not beautiful, but they’re sentimental. And that matters more anyway.

Reading Christmas Books Together

This works especially well for younger children. But honestly, older kids often enjoy it too if you pick the right books. There are so many good Christmas picture books out there.

“The Polar Express” is a classic. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” never gets old. “The Night Before Christmas” is a traditional story. “Olive, the Other Reindeer” is funny and sweet.

Make it cosy. Sit by the Christmas tree with all the lights on. Or snuggle under blankets. Maybe have some cookies nearby. The atmosphere matters.

You can borrow Christmas books from your local library instead of buying them. Most libraries have special holiday collections in December. That way, you can read different books throughout the month without spending money.

Goodreads has extensive lists of Christmas books sorted by age group. You can read reviews and ratings before making a choice. Really helpful for finding something new.

For families who speak multiple languages, look for Christmas books in your languages. Many classic stories are translated widely. It’s a nice way to maintain language skills during the holidays.

Reading together creates a calm moment in the day. Everything else about Christmas feels rushed and chaotic. But sitting down with a book slows things down. Just for a little bit.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it. Nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary. Just normal activities that might work for your family this Christmas season.

The key thing I’m learning? Don’t try to do everything. Pick a few activities that sound manageable. Some days you’ll feel ambitious. On other days, watching a movie is enough of an achievement.

The kids won’t remember if you did every craft perfectly. They’ll remember the time together. The cookies you burned. The gingerbread house that collapsed. The walk when everyone got too cold, and you came home early.

That’s what matters. Just showing up and trying. Even when you don’t have it all figured out. Because honestly, none of us does.