50 Fun Christmas Activities That Will Become Favorite Family Traditions

Leaving cookies and milk for Santa? Don't forget his reindeer! You can make food for his flying sleigh team using oats, sprinkles, and (biodegradable) glitter! Dust it in your yard on Christmas Eve so they can enjoy a tasty treat while Santa delivers presents.

SHOP CHRISTMAS SPRINKLES

Gather up your musically inclined family members and friends, throw on some Christmas sweaters, then bring back this delightful old tradition of going door-to-door singing Christmas tunes for your neighbors.

We don't even need to ask if you want to build a snowman... because the answer is always yes! If the weather is right, it's so fun making your own frosty fellow come to life. If you're wondering how exactly to do it, check out our guide on how to build a snowman.

This time of year is a great opportunity to put on your Sunday best and visit a nearby place of worship. After all, it's always important to remember the reason for the season!

This tradition has really grown in popularity over the years. Christmas Eve boxes consist of little gifts like Christmas pajamas, a Christmas movie or book, sweet treats, and maybe a stuffed animal for the kiddos to open on Christmas Eve. It's a great way for them to pass the time as they patiently wait for Christmas morning!

SHOP CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house... the kiddos can't sleep! The excitement for Santa's visit is just too great. To lessen the wait, gather the family and track old St. Nicholas using NORAD as he makes his way around the world with presents.

Finding special gifts for everyone on your list is easy when you head out to a local holiday market. You'll find handmade items and artisanal goods that your family and friends are sure to love.

Make the most magical moment for your littles by taking them to visit Santa at his workshop! There should be plenty of Santa events happening near you so they can tell the big guy what they want for Christmas and you can snap a picture or two.

There's nothing quite as holly and jolly as a Christmas parade! Everyone dressed up in their most festive clothes as floats and Christmas characters pass by is definitely a sight to see during the holiday season.

Grab your winer coats, snow boots, and beanies then head to a local hill for hours of fun! If you don't have a sled, you can also use a storage bin lid, a baking sheet or even a sleeping bag.

SHOP SLEDS

Let your creativity fly! Order unfinished wooden nutcrackers online, and spend the day painting them with the kids. You keep them for years to come!

White Elephant is one of the most fun gift exchange games on Christmas. The goal: walk away with the best present.

Each player sits in a circle and contributes one wrapped gift to a center pile. Players draw numbers to determine their order in the exchange. The first player opens a gift, and the following players can choose to pick a wrapped gift from the pool or steal a previous player's gift! Once everyone has an unwrapped gift in hand, the first player can decide to swap—anyone whose gift is stolen can steal from someone else. The game finally ends when someone declines to steal!

Enjoy a bit of movement after unwrapping presents and devouring your Christmas Day feast. Your “hike” can just be a nature stroll if the kids are still small.

Christmas isn’t just about the gifts. Take the time to give back this year by volunteering at a soup kitchen.

Get your neighbors together for a bit of friendly competition on Christmas Eve. See who can pull together the best light show in just a few hours! It’s fun and will give you decorating ideas for next year.

SHOP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

The Christmas pickle is a big tradition across the U.S., and the kids love it! Hide a pickle ornament in the tree on Christmas Eve. In the morning, the kids will race to find it first—the winner gets to unwrap the first present or receives a small extra prize present.

Charlie Brown Christmas, anyone? It's not Christmas without the classic movies and tv specials you loved throughout childhood.

Here's a fun surprise gift game: Buy everyone inexpensive scratch-off lottery tickets, and see who has the most luck this holiday season!

Another fun activity that some families enjoy on Christmas is going out to a Chinese restaurant for lunch or dinner. It's perfect when you don't want to cook on the holiday.

Ree Drummond is all about the DIY ornaments, especially if they've been in the family for years. Make your own future heirlooms that will call to mind warm Christmas memories.

SHOP DIY ORNAMENTS