Christmas Activities to do at Home
One thing that won’t change this year is how much kids love Christmas. While some traditions may change or look a little different this year, we have more time to spend with our kids at home.
Here are some fun holiday themed activities, a lot of the items you have around the house or can be easily substituted. Also, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to decorate for the holidays. Head to 99 Cents Only, Dollar Tree or Target Bullseye Dollar Spot for decorations, some that can be turned into play items after the holidays. From toddlers to teens, there is something for everyone.
Craft Supplies To Have On Hand
- Butcher or Craft Paper
- Washable Tempera Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Construction Paper (Assorted Colors)
- Kraft Paper or Butcher Paper
- Painter’s Tape
- Post-It Notes
- Pom Poms
- Mini Tongs
- Play Dishes and Utensils
- Googly Eyes
- Dice
- Paper Plate
- Paper Towels
- Glasses or Plastic Cups
- Glue
- Permanent Marker
- Stuffed Animals
- Pitcher or Carafe
- Gallon-sized sliding plastic bag
- Sensory Bin or Table
Countdown Chain
Grab some construction paper and have the kids help cutting (while you assist if they don’t have those scissors skills down yet). Staple or tape together. Kids may need more or less help. If you focused on things to be thankful with in November, you can focus on acts of kindness or you can fill a chain with activities. Need inspiration for Acts of Kindness, check HERE for Busy Toddler’s list.
Letters To Santa
DIY Mailbox to send letters to Santa – use those Amazon boxes and build a mailbox.
Scottsdazzle send a digital letter to Santa or drop off at the Old Town Farmers Market and you will receive a letter back from Santa by Christmas.
Cafe Au Plait has a mailbox for dropping off letters to Santa and you get a postcard back.
When you get those giant toy catalogs, give them to kids to circle items, cut them out or write their own list. Have kids write letters to Santa and say the elves pick them up. This way you know what is on their list!
Playdough
Grab your favorite playdough, cookie cutters, and accessories and make your own invitation to play kit.
Grab your free printable playdough mats here. Check Pinterest for many accessory ideas here.
Wrapping Paper
Grab those leftover scraps of wrapping paper and make a shape matching challenge. Example here.
Christmas Tree
The best way to keep kids out of your tree? Give them their own to decorate.
Felt Christmas tree with ornaments
Toddler Christmas tree from Step 2
Christmas Tree Nugget. It doesn’t have to be green to turn your Nugget into a Christmas tree. Anything felt will stick to it for a DIY tree.
Sensory Kits and Crafts
Little Sunshine Mom has playdough and craft kits that will keep your kids busy for hours.
Masterpiece Momma is back with her famous water bead kits. Hours of entertainment.
Snow
Grab a snow kit from Casita Curated Play or make your own.Water beads that look like snow from Amazon to add into your sensory table.
Go on a walk and find some pine cones. Cover them in glue, the dip in baking soda for snow on pine cones!
Gingerbread
Grab cookie cutters and have kids play with their home made ginerbread dough, cut out gingerbread men templates and have kids make their own, bake gingerbread cookies to decorate and even more gingerbread ideas here or here.
Apple Pie Bin
Pie is a favorite in our house. Kids have pie tins in every size from tiny bite sized pies to giant family size. So many different ways to have your kids make their own pie, from playdough to kitchen ingredients like oatmeal. Here is one sensory bin idea.
Pom Poms
Draw a Christmas tree, snowman or other holiday image on a cardboard box, cut holes, add some color with a marker and have your kids put pom poms through the holes. You can easily add color work, counting, sorting and other activities in.
Christmas Books Lists For Kids
Do you put up your holiday books or leave them out to read all year? Little Blue Truck is a favorite year round here! Previously we had put away all the non board books, but now that the kids are older, some may leave them out. Here are some more great holiday book lists:
STEM Activities
Team Cartwright has some fun STEM activities to throw into the holiday mix.
Elf On A Shelf
Check out our Pinterest page for how to quarantine your elf (not moving for two weeks, yes please!) to naughty and nice things for him to do! Kid friendly ideas here. Tag us in pictures of your favorite ideas.
Additional Resources For Christmas Activities
Busy Toddler Christmas Activities
A Dab Of Glue will Do Editable Name to Purchase
For more things to do during the holidays check out The Ultimate List of 2020 Holiday Events in Phoenix.
