Looking for fun Christmas activities to make this holiday season extra special for your family?
You’re not alone! Every year, my family and I follow our beloved traditions—decorating the tree, baking cookies, and exchanging gifts. While we love these routines, sometimes it feels like we need a fresh spark to keep the season magical.
As a mom, I get the desire to create a Christmas that feels extraordinary, especially for my little one. This year, I decided to shake things up by researching new, fun, and affordable ways to bring extra joy to our celebrations.
If you’re feeling the same way, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! I’ve put together a list of creative and budget-friendly Christmas activities for families that are guaranteed to bring laughter and holiday cheer. And the best part? You don’t have to squeeze all the fun into one day. These activities are perfect for spreading joy throughout the entire month of December!
Cheap Christmas Activities For the Whole Family
- Donate to a Toy Drive
As we gear up for the festive season, let’s not forget to spread some holiday cheer by giving to our community by donating to a toy drive. It’s a great way to involve the whole family and teach the little ones the importance of helping those in need.
Last year, I decided to get my son involved in the process, and it was such a rewarding experience. We went through his toy collection together and picked out ones that were still in good condition and could bring joy to another child. It felt good to know that we were helping families in need. Plus, it’s a great way to declutter and make room for new toys that might be coming his way during Christmas.
I already have this tradition on my list of things to do this year, and I think you should too. If you’re in the mood for some shopping, here is a wide selection of adorable toys that would be perfect for donation.
- Read a Christmas Book
There’s something special about curling up with a good book during the holiday season.
For kids, reading a Christmas book can be a magical experience. It’s a chance for them to dream about sugarplum fairies, flying reindeer and, of course, presents under the tree. Whether they’re reading about the adventures of Frosty the Snowman or the misadventures of the Grinch, Christmas books can spark their creativity and fill them with wonder. So this year, my son and I are going to start a new tradition of reading Christmas books together during the holiday season.
If you’re looking for some good Christmas books for children, here is a great selection of holiday reads that are sure to warm your heart and get you in the Christmas spirit.
- Elf on the Shelf
Another Christmas family activity that we are planning to do this year is the infamous Elf on the Shelf.
If you’re not familiar with this mischievous little elf, let me fill you in. The Elf on the Shelf is basically Santa’s little spy who flies back to the North Pole each night to give a scoop on whether the kids have been naughty or nice. By morning, the elf returns and hides in a new spot for the kids to find. It’s actually a fun way to keep the children on their toes and encourage good behavior leading up to Christmas.
So how do you get started with this Christmas activity? You need to have your own Elf on the Shelf. You can find them at most stores around this time of year or get one online. Once you have your elf, give him a name. Just make sure it’s a name your little one will remember and love. Now, here comes the fun part – finding creative ways to pose your elf each night. Maybe have your elf hanging out on a cookie jar or having a tea party with the other toys. The key is to make it exciting for your kids to find the elf each day.
The best part about the Elf on the Shelf is that it’s not just a fun little game – it’s a tradition that your kids will look forward to each year. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to remind them to be on their best behavior.
- Do a Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Looking for a fun and wacky game to play with your family this holiday season? Why not organize a scavenger hunt? A scavenger hunt is a game where participants are given a list of items to find or tasks to complete within a specific time frame.
One thing I absolutely love about Scavenger Hunt is that you can play it anywhere. Whether you’re stuck inside due to inclement weather or soaking up the sunshine outdoors, it can be easily adapted to fit any setting. You can hide clues and items around the house, in the backyard, or even around the neighborhood. No matter where you are, a scavenger hunt is sure to keep everyone entertained and engaged. And here’s the thing — you can give the classic scavenger hunt a festive holiday twist by incorporating Christmas-themed items. I’m talking about hunting for candy canes, ornaments, stockings, and maybe even a Santa hat.
If this game sounds like the perfect way to enliven up your holiday gathering, get your hands on some scavenger hunt clue cards and Christmas-themed items to make this Christmas one to remember.
- Minute to Win It Cup Stacking
This year, my family has a new game on the list that we can’t wait to try – minute to win it cup stacking! I know it’s not a groundbreaking idea, but I’m convinced it’s going to be a blast.
I can already envision the competitive spirit coming out in all of us as we race against the clock to stack those cups as quickly as possible. It’s going to be hilarious to see who is the quickest and most skilled cup stacker in the family.
It’s not only fun to play, but it’s also budget-friendly, which is perfect for those of us who are trying to save a few bucks during the holiday season. All you need is a timer and a set of stacking cups. You can easily find some stacking cups here, and they come in all sorts of colors.
- Attend a Christmas Parade
Even though I’ve already seen a Christmas parade, I haven’t had the chance to enjoy it my family yet. This year, I’m definitely going to make it a priority to experience this festive tradition with my loved ones.
I’ve always been a big fan of parades, but there’s something extra special about a Christmas parade. People come out in droves, dressed in their most colorful and extravagant holiday outfits. I can’t wait to see the colorful floats and, of course, the marching bands. But what I’m most excited about this year are the giant lanterns that will be part of the parade.
If you don’t have something festive to wear to the parade yet, don’t worry! You can find some awesome Christmas outfits for the whole family here. They have everything from Santa hats to reindeer sweaters, so you can deck yourselves out in style.
- Host a Christmas Pajama Night
Getting into the holiday spirit doesn’t mean going out and spending a lot of money on fancy events or activities. Instead, you can create a magical night right in your own home by simply donning some festive pajamas and embracing the cozy vibes.
Whip up some delicious snacks like popcorn or cookies, and gather everyone around for a Christmas movie marathon.
Whether your sporting Santa Claus prints or cute little reindeer, there’s something about dressing up for the holidays that just puts everyone in a joyful mood. Not sure where to find the perfect holiday pajamas? No worries! You can easily shop for some here.
- Throw a White Elephant Gift Exchange Party
While traditional gift-giving is always fun, why not add a little twist to it this year? I’m talking about organizing a white elephant gift exchange.
The idea is simple – everyone brings a wrapped gift to the party. It’s best to keep it on the quirky side to keep things interesting. Once all the gifts are on the pile, it’s time to kick off the fun. You take turns picking a gift from the pile or stealing from someone else. The exciting part is you never know what you’re going to end up with! Will you get a tacky sweater, a funny gag gift, or something completely bizarre?
White elephant gift exchanges are a classic holiday tradition for adults, but who says kids can’t get in in the fun too? While the gift swapping may be a bit too complicated for the little ones, there are still plenty of ways for them to participate in the festivities.
When it comes to finding the perfect white elephant gift, here is the place to go. From novelty mugs and quirky gadgets to funny books and hilarious home décor, they have it all.
- Organize a Christmas Craft Night
There’s nothing quite like gathering around the fire, sipping hot coca, and getting creative with some holiday crafts.
You can make your ornaments to decorate a tree, create beautiful garlands to hang around the house, craft delicate paper snowflakes to adorn your windows, or even put together a fun advent calendar to count the days until Christmas. This isn’t just for adults; kids can join in the fun too!
From glue and glitter to felt and ribbons, you can find everything you need right here.
- Complete a Holiday-themed Jigsaw Puzzle
One fun activity my son and I love to do together is complete jigsaw puzzles. Since holidays are right around the corner, we thought it would be a great idea to take on a holiday-themed one!
It’s exciting to work on a puzzle with a festive twist, especially when it’s related to a holiday we both love. The vibrant colors and whimsical designs of holiday-themed jigsaw puzzles make them a delight to work on.
Not only are they fun to complete, but they also provide a great way to relax and unwind during the busy holiday season. Taking the time to sit down and focus on fitting each piece together can be a soothing and meditative experience, allowing you to escape from the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations for a little while.
Whether you prefer a snowy winter wonderland or one bursting with bright holiday colors, you can find holiday-themed jigsaw puzzles right here.
- Write a Letter to Santa
This year, since my little one has started writing, we’re adding an extra sprinkle of magic to our family Christmas celebrations by writing a letter to Santa.
Growing up, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was penning a letter to Santa. I remember sitting down with my crayons and carefully crafting a list of all the toys I hoped to find under the tree in Christmas morning. Now, as a mom, I am thrilled and excited to pass this tradition on to my little one. It’s adorable how he’s already planning what he wants from Santa this year and counting down the days until Christmas.
If your kids need a little help getting started, you can grab this cute and adorable Letter to Santa writing kit.
There you have it – a holiday playbook that is sure to keep the whole family entertained without breaking the bank. Whether you’re cuddled up with a cozy Christmas story, having a blast on a scavenger hunt, or getting artsy with DIY ornaments, the best part is that you’re doing it all together. So this Christmas, make sure to cherish every moment with your loved ones because that’s what truly makes the holiday season magical.
