Kids Activities for the Christmas Holidays!

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! However, with all the demands of family and society, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. I hope that this guide full of Christmas crafts, gift ideas, activities and songs will help you have a delightful and stress-free holiday!

Don’t forget to grab your 3 Free Gifts from us!

Gift 1: Christmas Video
Gift 2: Christmas eBook
Gift 3: Christmas Coloring Worksheet

Gift 1: Kids vs Life Christmas Video!

Christmas Games

After all the gifts are open and the food is gone, Christmas games can be a great way to keep the party going! Keep these games in mind to entertain the children at your gathering.

1. Pin the nose on Rudolph

Everyone knows how to play “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” so this spin-off is sure to be a hit with the little ones. Simply print out a picture of a reindeer and enough small red circles for each child in the group. Have the children take turns trying to place the red circle where they think Rudolph’s nose is. Be sure to have a prize or some kind of reward for the winner.

2. Candy Cane Hunt

When the children aren’t looking, hide candy canes all over the house! When you’re ready, tell the kids the area they are permitted to hunt in and see who can find the most candy canes. You can do a few variations of this game if you would like. For older children, you can add riddles or clues that they can read to lead them to the next candy cane stash. You could also mark a special candy cane and make it the main prize . Whoever finds that prize cane may get some special privilege or larger prize. To extend this and to add religious value, you could also discuss the meaning of the candy cane or read the candy cane story that can be found here.

3. Christmas Ornaments Balancing Act

For this Christmas game, you will need ornaments (several of the same kind), a yard stick, and a paper towel tube. Balance the yard stick on the paper towel tube, then take turns hanging ornaments on each side the yard stick until it falls over. Whoever makes the balancing stick fall, loses the game. This works best if you are playing in teams.

Christmas Crafts

Christmas crafts with kids are one of my favorite parts of the holidays. Here are a few ideas to try with your family!

1. Candy Ornaments

For this Christmas craft, you will need the following:

metal cookie cutters
starlight peppermints, spearmints, or lifesavers
parchment paper
non-stick cooking spray
cookie sheets
oven

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Put parchment paper on cookie sheets. Arrange metal cookie cutters so they are not touching. Arrange candy inside the cookie cutters and pop it in the oven. Check every 5 – 10 minutes until the candy is completely melted into the shape of the cookie cutter. Take them out of the oven and before they harden completely, poke a hole in the top for a place to thread ribbon or a hook so they can easily be hung on the tree. Better yet, give them away as a great Christmas gift idea.

2. Photo Snow Globes

Be sure to check out how to make these beautiful Photo Snow Globes. Click here for details.

3. Paper chains

While paper chains may seem old fashioned, this is one Christmas craft that my children like to do every year. Cut construction paper into 1 inch wide strips and link them together. When you’ve made the chain as long as you want it, go ahead and put it on your tree as a garland or hang it from your mantle.

Christmas Gift Ideas

When shopping for children, it is easy to get caught up in the Christmas holiday rush. I find myself wanting to buy them every little (or big) thing that I think they might like. In reality though, who has the time or money to do that? This year, I followed a great tool to guide my Christmas shopping.

1. Something they want. This should be that iPod or other big item that they have been waiting all year for.

2. Something they need. Underwear, socks, new hair product or soaps are all good ideas here.

3. Something to wear. I know for me, I always like to buy my kids an outfit to wear to church on Christmas Sunday. I also like to buy them a Christmas shirt to wear to school before they go on break. No need to break the bank though if they are only going to wear it a few times this year.

4. Something to read. Reading is huge and it’s vitally important to developing their minds. Encourage reading by grabbing a book subscription such as Red Cat Reading Premium!

5. Something to do. How about a movie ticket or a ticket to see a live show or go to an amusement park? To me, life is about making good memories and cherishing time with our children. Don’t miss the chance to make memories with your kids.

6. Something for “me.” This would be that special ornament or engraved item that holds sentimental value.

7. Something for the whole family. I always purchase a new movie for each of my children so we can have a family movie night. Sometimes I also like to pick up a board game or two. The kids never let me forget to try out the new games.

I hope these Christmas gift ideas are helpful. While they are directed mostly for children, generally, they work across all ages.

Gift 2: Kids vs Life Christmas Book!

Get in the Christmas spirit with our popular 12 Days of Christmas book! Capture your child’s imagination with vibrant illustrations on every page. They’ll love the read-along audio!

Learn about all the traditional presents received during the 12 Days of Christmas! Get your child acquainted with the Christmas season while listening to a fun story together.

Download Christmas iBook!

Christmas Activities for Kids

1. Write a Letter to Santa Claus

Help keep the magic alive by having your children write his or her letter to Santa Claus! Many local fire stations or malls have drop off locations for letters to Santa and your children will get a response. If that doesn’t work, Santa is very tech savvy and can be reached via email. Try out this link: www.aletter4santa.com/

2. Decorate the House

String the lights and deck the halls! My children love to help decorate our house for Christmas. Each year, I have a box of ornaments just for them and I also have a child’s nativity that is all plastic so that there is no danger in them arranging it. Turn up the Christmas music and let them go crazy making the house look fantastic! This is one Christmas activity that the kids will never forget and it might help save you time too!

3. Make Cookies!

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is tasting all those yummy Christmas cookies. What better Christmas activity with kids than making something to fill their tummies? Check out one of my favorite recipes here!

Christmas Songs for Kids

1. We Wish You a Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin. Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

(REPEAT)

2. Away In A Manger

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

3. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen

Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen

But do you recall

The most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Had a very shiny nose

And if you ever saw it

You would even say it glows

All of the other reindeer

Used to laugh and call him names

They never let poor Rudolph

Join in any reindeer games

Then one foggy Christmas Eve

Santa came to say

“Rudolph, with your nose so bright

Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

Then how the reindeer loved him

As they shouted out with glee

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You’ll go down in history”

4. Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow

On a one horse open sleigh

O’er the fields we go,

Laughing all the way

Bells on bob tail ring,

making spirits bright

What fun it is to laugh and sing

A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one horse open sleigh

Jingle bells, jingle bells