9 Fun Activities to Do With Your Family This Christmas

Christmas is more than just a holiday. It’s a precious opportunity to strengthen family bonds, create lasting memories, and celebrate togetherness. As the festive season approaches, finding meaningful ways to connect with loved ones becomes increasingly important.

The magic of Christmas lies not in expensive gifts or elaborate decorations, but in the moments we share with those we cherish most. This year, consider setting aside time for activities that bring everyone together, fostering joy, laughter, and genuine connection.

Whether you have young children, teenagers, or multiple generations gathering under one roof, these nine activities offer something special for everyone. They blend tradition with creativity, spirituality with fun, and quiet moments with energetic celebration.

Bake Christmas Cookies Together

Transform your kitchen into a festive bakery where flour flies and laughter fills the air. Baking Christmas cookies together is a timeless tradition that engages all the senses and creates delicious results everyone can enjoy.

Let each family member choose their favorite cookie recipe or design. From gingerbread men to sugar cookies shaped like stars and trees, the possibilities are endless. The decorating process is where creativity truly shines, with colorful icing, sprinkles, and candies transforming simple cookies into edible masterpieces.

Don’t worry about perfection. The misshapen cookies and messy countertops are part of the charm. These imperfect creations often become the most treasured memories, reminding everyone that joy comes from the process, not just the finished product.

Read Devotional Books Together

In the midst of holiday busyness, reading devotional books together offers a meaningful way to remember the true reason for the season. This quiet, reflective activity grounds your family in faith and provides spiritual nourishment during the festivities.

Choose a Christmas-themed devotional that’s appropriate for your family’s ages and reading levels. You can find excellent options through digital platforms like Amazon or a Christian bookstore online. Set aside fifteen to twenty minutes each evening, perhaps before bedtime, to gather in a cozy space. Take turns reading passages aloud, then discuss the message and how it applies to your lives.

This practice creates a sacred space within the chaos of the season. It encourages thoughtful conversations about faith, gratitude, and love while building spiritual traditions your children will carry into their own families someday.

Create Handmade Ornaments

Making ornaments by hand adds personal touches to your Christmas tree that store-bought decorations simply cannot match. Each handcrafted piece tells a story and becomes a treasured keepsake that grows more valuable with passing years.

Gather simple craft supplies like felt, paper, ribbons, beads, and glue. You might create salt dough ornaments, paint wooden shapes, or string popcorn garlands the old-fashioned way. Young children can make handprint ornaments, while older kids might enjoy more intricate designs.

As you hang these creations on the tree, you’re not just decorating. You’re building a collection of memories that will spark conversations and smiles every time you unpack them in future years.

Host a Family Movie Marathon

Nothing says cozy Christmas quite like snuggling together for a holiday movie marathon. Transform your living room into a home theater complete with blankets, pillows, and plenty of snacks for an unforgettable viewing experience.

Let family members vote on their favorite Christmas classics. Mix animated favorites with heartwarming dramas and funny comedies to keep everyone entertained. Make it extra special with homemade hot chocolate, popcorn, and those cookies you baked earlier.

Create a comfortable nest of cushions and blankets where everyone can pile together. Turn off phones and other distractions, allowing the family to be fully present with each other and the stories unfolding on screen.

Go Christmas Light Hunting

Bundle up and embark on an adventure through your neighborhood or nearby areas to admire Christmas light displays. This simple outing transforms an ordinary evening into a magical experience that delights both young and old.

Pack thermoses of hot cocoa and Christmas music for the car. Drive slowly through decorated neighborhoods, letting children call out their favorite displays. Some families make it a friendly competition, voting on categories like “most colorful,” “most creative,” or “best use of inflatables.”

If you prefer walking, choose a neighborhood known for its decorations and stroll together. The exercise, fresh air, and twinkling lights create the perfect combination for quality family time and conversations.

Write Letters to Santa or Gratitude Notes

Encourage children to write letters to Santa, expressing their Christmas wishes while practicing writing skills and thoughtful communication. For older family members, shift the focus to writing gratitude notes expressing appreciation for the year’s blessings.

This activity naturally leads to meaningful conversations about giving, receiving, and thankfulness. Younger children might draw pictures alongside their words, while teenagers and adults can write reflective letters about personal growth and cherished moments from the year.

Consider writing letters to each other as well. Exchange these notes on Christmas morning for an emotional, heartfelt addition to your gift-opening tradition that costs nothing but means everything.

Volunteer Together as a Family

Christmas is the perfect time to teach children about generosity and compassion by volunteering together. Serving others shifts focus from receiving to giving, planting seeds of empathy and social responsibility.

Choose age-appropriate volunteer opportunities like sorting donations at a food bank, delivering meals to homebound neighbors, or caroling at a nursing home. Even young children can participate in packing care boxes or making cards for people in hospitals.

These experiences create powerful memories and important lessons about privilege, gratitude, and community responsibility. They remind everyone that Christmas joy multiplies when shared with those who need it most.

Build a Gingerbread House

Constructing a gingerbread house combines engineering, artistry, and sweet treats into one entertaining activity that can occupy the family for hours. Whether you use a kit or build from scratch, this project sparks creativity and teamwork.

Assign different roles based on ages and abilities. Younger children can focus on decorating, pressing candies into frosting and adding colorful details. Older family members can handle the construction, ensuring walls stand straight and the roof stays secure.

The finished product deserves a place of honor on your table or mantel. Admire it throughout the season before finally allowing the family to demolish and devour their creation after Christmas.

Have a Christmas Game Night

Cap off your seasonal celebrations with a dedicated game night featuring Christmas-themed games or family favorites. Clear the table, set out snacks, and prepare for an evening filled with friendly competition and lots of laughter.

Choose games everyone can enjoy together or rotate through options that suit different ages. Christmas charades, holiday trivia, card games, or board game classics all work wonderfully. The specific games matter less than the shared experience.

These nine activities prove that the best Christmas memories don’t require expensive outings or elaborate plans. Simple, intentional time together creates the magic that makes this season truly special and worth celebrating year after year.