10 Fun Christmas Activities for Toddlers and kids

Looking for fun and easy Christmas activities for kids and toddlers? This magical season is the perfect time to create joyful memories with your little ones. Whether you're entertaining an energetic toddler or planning family-friendly fun, we've rounded up 10 simple Christmas activities to spark creativity and bring festive cheer. From hands-on crafts to holiday games, these ideas are sure to keep your kids smiling all season long.

1. Christmas Tree Decorations

One of the most cherished Christmas traditions is decorating the Christmas tree. It's a perfect activity for toddlers because they can have a hands-on role in getting the tree ready for the holiday season.

Encourage your toddler to place soft, unbreakable decorations on the lower branches whilst you handle the delicate ornaments higher up. Let them place the tree topper – it's a special moment and makes for a wonderful photo.

Here are some simple yet adorable ornament craft ideas that you can make with your toddler.;

• Paper Cup Christmas Trees: These little creations look adorable on the Christmas tree. This activity is affordable, mess-free and perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. You can set it up for your kids to do on their next play date – it's fun and easy to do with a group.

• Salt Dough Ornaments: Mix 4 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt and 1½ cups of warm water. Roll out the dough and let your toddler create shapes with cookie cutters. After you've baked them in the oven and they've cooled completely, your little one can paint the ornaments to their heart's content.
• Beaded Candy Canes: String red and white beads onto pipe cleaners and twist them into candy cane shapes. Simple and satisfying for little hands.
• Christmas Decorations Paint Kit: Give your toddler wooden ornaments and child-safe paints to create their own unique decorations for the tree.

These craft ideas let your toddler unleash their creativity while making adorable decorations for the Christmas tree. Use non-toxic, child-friendly materials and supervise closely. Embrace the mess – it's all part of the creative fun!

2. Holiday Storytime

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there's something magical about settling in with your toddler for a cosy holiday storytime. Reading together fosters a love for books whilst creating lasting memories. Here's how to make your holiday story time extra special:

• Christmas Classics: Share timeless stories like "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore or "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss.
  
• Book Advent Calendar: Wrap 24 holiday-themed books, one for each day leading up to Christmas. Unwrapping and reading a new story each day builds anticipation throughout December. You can find personalised options on Etsy.
• Book Advent Calendar: Wrap 24 holiday-themed books, one for each day leading up to Christmas. Unwrapping and reading a new story each day builds anticipation and keeps your toddler engaged throughout the season. You can find personalised options on Etsy.
• Personalised Stories: Find or create a personalised Christmas story featuring your toddler as the main character. These customised tales make heartwarming keepsakes.
• Pyjama Party: Make storytime extra special by changing into holiday pyjamas. Let favourite stuffed animals join in too.
• Annual Book Gift: Start a tradition of gifting a special holiday book each year. These become treasured heirlooms your child will look forward to every season.

Holiday storytime nurtures your toddler's love for books whilst creating a cherished ritual that will stay with them for years to come.

3. DIY Christmas Cards

Creating DIY cards with your toddler is a delightful way to spread festive cheer and let their creativity shine.

Gather Supplies:

Collect blank cards or folded cardstock, colourful markers, crayons, coloured pencils, and watercolours. Add holiday-themed stickers and stamps for embellishment. You'll also need child-friendly glue sticks and safety scissors.

Choose a Design:

• Handprint and Footprint Art: Capture your child's growth each year with handprint or footprint designs. Transform a footprint into a reindeer for a sweet touch.

• Photo Cards: Use recent photos to create personalised cards. A festive family photo makes a wonderful centrepiece.
• Online Templates: Find inspiration on Pinterest, Etsy, and Canva for unique designs and templates.

Add Personal Touches

Encourage your toddler to write or scribble personal messages. Even a few lines or doodles add a special touch. Don't forget to let them decorate the envelopes with drawings, stickers, or handprints.

Mailing handcrafted cards brings joy to loved ones, especially those you can't see in person during the holidays.

4. Gingerbread House Decorating

Gingerbread house decorating is a time-honoured holiday tradition that children adore. It's a delightful activity that combines creativity with the opportunity to snack on sweet treats. Fortunately, ready-made kits make this easier than ever – you can find affordable options at Woolworths or Big W in Australia, and Tesco or Sainsbury's in the UK.

How to Set Up

• Prepare the Icing: Mix your icing to use as "glue" for assembly. Add food colouring if you want vibrant colours.
• Create a Workstation: Cover your table with newspaper or a disposable cloth. Place all sweets, sprinkles, and tools within easy reach.
• Assemble the House: If the panels aren't pre-assembled, build the house with icing and let it dry briefly for stability.
• Start Decorating: Hand creative control to your toddler. From candy cane fences to gummy bear gardens, the possibilities are endless. Let their imagination run wild.
• Supervise When Needed: Be available to help with tricky construction, but let them do as much as possible themselves—they'll be prouder of their creation.
• Take Photos: Capture their masterpiece. These become cherished memories.

This activity fosters creativity and fine motor skills whilst you bond over a shared project. The decorated house makes a wonderful centrepiece for your holiday table.

5. Festive Baking

Festive baking gets the whole family involved in holiday preparations. It's a wonderful way to engage your toddler in the kitchen and build excitement for the season.

• Simple Festive Recipes: Choose straightforward recipes like classic sugar biscuits, gingerbread or brownies. These involve rolling dough, using biscuit cutters, and decorating – activities toddlers love.
• Age-Appropriate Tasks: Let your toddler measure ingredients, mix batter (with guidance), and use biscuit cutters. Assign specific roles like sprinkling decorations or placing shapes on the baking sheet
• Decorating Station: After baking and cooling, set up a decorating area for your toddler with icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Let creativity flow.
• Healthier Options: Try wholegrain muffins, banana bread, or oatmeal biscuits with festive dried cranberries or chopped nuts for nutritious holiday snacks.
• Christmas Tree Brownies: For something fun and visually impressive, make Christmas tree brownies. They're delicious and perfect for decorating together.
  

Find endless recipe inspiration on BBC Good Food, Taste of Home, or Delish.

Festive baking creates delicious treats and cherished memories whilst instilling a love for the holiday season.

6. Visit Santa

Taking your toddler to visit Santa is a classic tradition filled with wonder and excitement. 

Here's how to make it extra special:

• Choose the Right Venue: Find a warm, inviting location. Many shopping centres, department stores, and community centres host Santa visits during the festive season.
• Prepare Your Child: Talk about meeting Santa beforehand. Read books or watch films featuring him to build anticipation. Encourage your child to think of a special wish to share.
• Time It Right: Avoid naptime and mealtimes to ensure your toddler is in good spirits.
• Dress Comfortably: Choose a festive yet comfortable outfit for your toddler. A cute Christmas outfit looks adorable in photos and adds to the magic of the moment.
• Bring Entertainment: There may be a wait. Pack a small toy, book, or snack. Singing carols can also pass the time..
• Follow Their Lead: Watch your child's cues. Some rush forward excitedly; others need a moment to observe. Let them set the pace. If they're hesitant, it's fine if they prefer to stand nearby rather than sit on Santa's lap.
• Don't Force Photos: Get a few photos, but don't push if your child is uncomfortable. Some children prefer to sit on a bench with Santa nearby or standing beside them. The experience matters more than the perfect picture.
• Talk About It After: Ask what they liked about meeting Santa. Reinforce that it's all part of Christmas joy.

This magical experience introduces your toddler to the wonder of Christmas and creates memories that last a lifetime.

7. Christmas Games

Christmas-themed games keep little ones entertained whilst developing new skills.

• Candy Cane Hunt: Hide candy canes around your home or garden for a sweet treasure hunt. Set a timer to see who finds them fastest.

• Pin the Nose on Rudolph: Create a large Rudolph poster without his red nose. Make red noses with double-sided tape, blindfold your toddler, spin them around, and let them try to place the nose correctly.
• Christmas Bingo: Play with printable bingo cards you can find online. It's fantastic for matching skills and vocabulary.
• Santa Says: A festive twist on "Simon Says." Give Christmas-themed commands like "Santa says, hop like a reindeer."
• Musical Christmas Statues: Play Christmas music and have your toddler dance. When the music stops, they have to freeze like a statue. Great for burning energy!

These games entertain whilst helping your toddler learn and develop, all wrapped up in holiday spirit.

8. Christmas Crafts

Create festive crafts to display around the house or give as gifts.

• Santa Advent Calendar: One of the most exciting ways to count down to Christmas is with an advent calendar. For a non-chocolate alternative, make or print a Santa-themed advent calendar where your toddler adds a cotton wool piece to Santa's beard each day. This builds anticipation and helps with counting.
  

• String of Lights Photo Frame: Use finger paints to create string lights around a photo frame. It's a lovely way for your toddler to add their personal touch to holiday décor whilst showcasing a family photo.

• Christmas Tree Fingerprint Art: Create adorable Christmas tree art using just paint, white card or paper, and your child's little fingers. The result is a unique, personal piece you can display proudly.

• Paper Plate Wreath: Cut out the centre of a paper plate and let your child decorate it with paint, glitter, or glued-on decorations. Add a ribbon for hanging. Simple and effective.
• Letter to Santa: Bring the magic of Christmas alive by helping your toddler write a Letter to Santa. Free printable templates are available online. Your little one can express their wishes and excitement for the holiday season, and mailing the completed letter off to Santa is sure to bring a big smile.

9. Christmas Movie Night

Create a magical atmosphere by hosting a special Christmas movie night with your toddler.

• Choose Age-Appropriate Films: Classics like "The Polar Express," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and "Frosty the Snowman" work brilliantly for toddlers. Older children might enjoy "Home Alone" or "Elf."
• Create Cosy Set-Up: Lay out blankets and cushions on the floor. Build a fort or pitch a play tent to make it extra special.
• Prepare Festive Snacks: Serve hot chocolate with marshmallows, reindeer-shaped biscuits, gingerbread, or snowman-shaped sandwiches.
• Set the Atmosphere: Turn down the lights, add LED candles for warmth, and start the film. Encourage interaction—singing along or calling out when they spot Santa is all part of the fun.

A Christmas film night immerses toddlers in the enchanting world of Christmas whilst providing relaxing quality time together during the busy festive season.

10. Holiday Charity and Giving

Teaching your toddler about giving back is a valuable tradition that instils empathy, kindness, and responsibility whilst spreading joy to those in need.

• Toy and Clothing Drive: Sort through gently used toys and clothes together with your toddler, choosing items to donate. Explain these will go to other children who will cherish them just as they did. Take your child with you to the donation centre to make it a more tangible experience.
• Food Drive: Shop together for non-perishable items and let your child choose things other children might enjoy. Drop them at a local food bank. Explain how this helps families have a special holiday meal.
• Homemade Gifts: Encourage your toddler to create handmade gifts to share with loved ones. Whether it's crafting a heartfelt card or making Christmas decorations, these gifts carry sentimental value and teach the joy of giving from the heart.
• Kindness Calendar: Create a calendar where each day reveals a kind act your child can do – complimenting a friend, helping with chores, or sharing toys. This reinforces the spirit of giving and builds a habit of kindness throughout the season.
• Volunteer Together: Participate as a family in a local charity event or volunteer opportunity. Whether it's packing meals for the less fortunate, assisting in a community cleanup, or helping at an animal shelter, your toddler can join in and experience the joy of giving their time and effort.
• Blessings Jar: Each day, your toddler adds a note expressing something they're grateful for. At the end of the season, read these together and discuss how fortunate you are. This simple exercise helps children appreciate what they have and understand the importance of helping others.

Instilling the value of giving back becomes a treasured family tradition. It makes a difference in others' lives whilst teaching essential lessons that help your toddler grow into a compassionate, empathetic, caring individual.

As the festive season approaches, these engaging Christmas activities will fill your home with joy and create lasting memories. From decorating the tree to crafts and film nights, these activities bring families together in the spirit of love and togetherness. Capture these precious moments through photographs – years from now, you'll treasure the memories created during the most wonderful time of the year.

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