Christmas is almost here, what does your family have planned for the holidays? The last few weeks in December are some of the greatest of the year – cold weather, snowflakes and snowmen, scarves and hats, fireplaces and hot cocoa. And of course all of the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations! The kids will want to get in on the festive spirit too, naturally.
Here are some ideas for fun Christmas activities to do with your little ones:
1. Make Christmas and winter-themed treats
Fun food always makes any occasion more fun and memorable, especially when you’re a kid! Who doesn’t love an excuse for a marshmallow or chocolate?
There are lots of ways you can “play with your food” for Christmas. Sugar cookies are always a classic to make at holiday time – they’re delicious and can be a lot of fun to decorate. You can use fun cookie cutters to shape them into various shapes like reindeer, snowflakes, or Christmas trees, then let the kids help decorate with frosting and sprinkles. You can show them how to put lights and ornaments on a tree with different colored frostings, or the red on Rudolph’s nose.
If you want to get even more creative and adventurous, you can make marshmallow Olafs/snowmen, reindeer made out of pretzels and Rolos, or adorable and delicious-looking snowman chocolate bark.
2. Play Christmas-themed games
Make up some Christmas Bingo cards and have fun with the whole family! You can also use the cards as a makeshift scavenger hunt – see who can fill up their card with items they can find around the house decorations.
Play Who Am I, the Christmas Edition. Tape a piece of paper with a Christmas-themed character to each player’s back and take turns asking Yes or No questions to try to guess what is on your back. Ideas for answers could be Santa, an Elf, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, etc.
Play the Christmas Carols Opposites Game. Have fun listening to the songs your child guesses and sipping cocoa or eating your Christmas treats together!
3. Listen to and sing along with Christmas songs
Speaking of Christmas carols, one of the most beloved parts of the holidays for many is the Christmas music. Many peoples’ childhood soundtracks from Christmas time includes everything from the traditional classics like O Holy Night and The First Noel, to newer favorites like Frosty the Snowman and Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. Indulge in the opportunity to sit and play with your little one while teaching them and singing along with them to some of these great songs.
If your child is old enough to remember the words to a few favorites, it could be a really fun afternoon activity to take them caroling just around your street, and go visit some neighbors that you think might enjoy a little Christmas music serenade! Bring some of those Christmas tree and snowman sugar cookies you decorated in the kitchen together and you’ll be a sure hit among the neighborhood!
Whatever you choose to do on December 25th, have a Merry Christmas, a great day, and Happy Holidays!