Christmas Things To Do At Home For Kids: Forget the mall mayhem and frosty fingers! This holiday season, ditch the frantic shopping and embrace the cozy chaos of home-based Christmas cheer. We’re diving headfirst into a whirlwind of festive fun, from crafting masterpieces out of recycled materials (because Santa’s environmentally conscious, you know) to baking cookies that’ll make even the grumpiest elf smile.
Get ready for a Christmas extravaganza that’s less “bah humbug” and more “ho ho hooray!”
Prepare for a jolly journey filled with creative crafts, delicious baking escapades, enchanting storytelling sessions, and festive decorations that’ll transform your home into a winter wonderland. We’ve got games, movies, music – everything you need to make this Christmas the most memorable one yet, all from the comfort of your own living room. So grab your cocoa, gather the kids, and let the festive fun begin!
Festive Christmas Fun at Home for Kids
Christmas is a time for family, laughter, and creating unforgettable memories. This year, ditch the mall madness and embrace the cozy charm of home-based Christmas celebrations. Get ready for a whirlwind of festive crafts, delicious baking, enchanting storytelling, and dazzling decorations – all designed to make this Christmas the most magical yet!
Festive Crafts for Little Hands
Unleash your children’s creativity with these fun and easy Christmas crafts. From repurposed materials to imaginative designs, these activities are perfect for fostering a love for art and environmental responsibility.
| Craft Name | Materials | Steps | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Dough Ornaments | Flour, salt, water, cookie cutters, paint, glitter, ribbon | 1. Mix flour, salt, and water to form a dough. 2. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to create shapes. 3. Bake until hardened. 4. Decorate with paint, glitter, and ribbon. | 1-2 hours |
| Paper Plate Snowflakes | Paper plates, scissors, glue, glitter (optional) | 1. Fold a paper plate in half, then in thirds, and finally in quarters. 2. Cut various shapes into the folded plate. 3. Unfold to reveal a unique snowflake. 4. Add glitter for extra sparkle. | 30 minutes |
| Popsicle Stick Christmas Trees | Popsicle sticks, green paint, glue, small star, glitter | 1. Glue popsicle sticks together in a triangular shape to form a Christmas tree. 2. Paint the tree green and let it dry. 3. Glue a small star to the top. 4. Add glitter for extra shine. | 45 minutes |
| Handprint Reindeer | Brown construction paper, googly eyes, red pom-poms, brown and black markers | 1. Trace your child’s handprint onto brown construction paper. 2. Cut out the handprint. 3. Glue on googly eyes and a red pom-pom for the nose. 4. Draw antlers with a brown marker and add details with black marker. | 30 minutes |
| Toilet Paper Roll Snowmen | Toilet paper rolls, white paint, black marker, orange construction paper, glue, buttons or beads | 1. Paint the toilet paper roll white and let it dry. 2. Draw a face with a black marker. 3. Cut out small circles from orange construction paper for the nose. 4. Glue on buttons or beads for the snowman’s buttons. | 45 minutes |
Eco-Friendly Christmas Ornament Craft
Creating ornaments from recycled materials not only reduces waste but also adds a unique, personal touch to your Christmas tree. This year, let’s craft ornaments from recycled materials!
This year, let’s make charming ornaments from recycled materials! Use old buttons, bottle caps, or even egg cartons to create unique decorations. For example, you can paint and decorate bottle caps to resemble miniature snowmen or festive designs. Egg cartons can be cut and shaped into tiny stars or Christmas trees, then painted and embellished with glitter.
Old buttons can be glued onto cardboard shapes to create whimsical characters or abstract patterns. The possibilities are endless, and the process is a fantastic way to teach children about recycling and upcycling.
Hand-Painted Christmas Cards
Express your holiday cheer with personalized Christmas cards featuring hand-painted elements and simple collage techniques. This activity encourages creativity and personal expression.
Start with blank cards or create your own from colorful cardstock. Let your children paint festive scenes, like snow-covered landscapes or whimsical Christmas characters. Incorporate simple collage techniques by adding glitter, scraps of fabric, or small pieces of paper to create texture and depth. Encourage children to add personal touches like hand-drawn messages or small stickers.
Christmas Baking Delights
The aroma of freshly baked Christmas cookies is a quintessential part of the holiday season. These recipes are designed to be fun and accessible for both children and adults, catering to various skill levels.
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Easy Christmas Cookies, Christmas things to do at home for kids
- Ingredients: 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 2 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, sprinkles
- Instructions: 1. Cream together butter and sugar. 2. Beat in eggs. 3.
Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt. 4. Roll out dough and cut into shapes. 5. Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
6. Decorate with sprinkles.
Medium Difficulty Christmas Cookies
- Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, holiday sprinkles
- Instructions: 1. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 2. Beat in the egg and vanilla. 3.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. 4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. 5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into desired shapes.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. 7. Let cool completely before decorating with sprinkles.
Hard Christmas Cookies (Gingerbread Men)
- Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, 1 cup molasses, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 4 cups all-purpose flour, royal icing for decorating
- Instructions: 1. Cream together the butter, molasses, and sugar until light and fluffy. 2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and flour. 3.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. 4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread men. 5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
6. Let cool completely before decorating with royal icing.
Gingerbread House Decorating Ideas
Transform your gingerbread houses into miniature winter wonderlands with these unique decorating themes.
- Winter Wonderland: Use white frosting as “snow,” add miniature snowmen and trees, and sprinkle with edible glitter.
- Candy Cane Forest: Decorate with candy canes, red and white frosting, and gumdrops.
- Snowy Village: Use marshmallows for snowdrifts, pretzel sticks for fences, and gumdrops for houses.
Festive Fruitcake
This classic Christmas treat requires careful attention to detail, but the result is a rich and delicious cake perfect for sharing.
The key to a perfect fruitcake lies in preparing the fruit mixture properly. Soak the dried fruits in a mixture of brandy or rum and orange juice for several days before incorporating them into the batter. This ensures the fruits are plump and juicy. When baking, use a slow oven to allow the cake to bake evenly and prevent burning.
A slow oven will allow the cake to bake thoroughly while maintaining its moisture. You can check for doneness by inserting a wooden skewer into the center – it should come out clean.
Christmas Storytelling & Games
Engage your children’s imaginations with captivating Christmas stories and fun, homemade games. These activities will create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds.
Christmas Stories for Young Children
These stories feature heartwarming characters and magical adventures, perfect for captivating young imaginations.
- The Little Reindeer Who Couldn’t Fly: A small reindeer overcomes self-doubt to help Santa deliver presents.
- The Christmas Star’s Lost Sparkle: A lost star regains its shine with the help of kind children.
- Santa’s Misplaced Hat: A hilarious tale of Santa’s search for his missing hat on Christmas Eve.
Homemade Christmas Games
Create simple yet engaging games using readily available materials. These games promote interaction and friendly competition.
- Christmas Bingo: Create bingo cards with Christmas-themed images and call out the images randomly.
- Christmas Charades: Act out Christmas-related words or phrases for others to guess.
- Christmas I Spy: Hide Christmas-themed objects around the house and provide clues for children to find them.
Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Organize a thrilling scavenger hunt with clues leading to a special Christmas treat or gift. This activity will keep children entertained and excited.
Create a series of clues that lead children on a journey through the house. The clues can be riddles, rhymes, or simple instructions. Hide the clues in creative places, like inside a Christmas stocking, under a pillow, or tucked into a book. The final clue should lead to the hidden treasure – a special Christmas gift or a delicious treat.
Festive Decorations & Activities
Add a touch of unique charm to your Christmas decorations with these unconventional ideas. These creative approaches will transform your home into a festive wonderland.
Unconventional Christmas Tree Decorations
Go beyond the traditional ornaments and use these creative materials to decorate your Christmas tree.
- Popcorn Garland: String popcorn kernels together to create a classic, edible garland.
- Pasta Ornaments: Paint and decorate various pasta shapes to create unique ornaments.
- Felt Decorations: Cut out festive shapes from felt and decorate them with embroidery or glitter.
- Pine Cone Angels: Decorate pine cones with wings made from feathers or cardstock.
- Dried Orange Slice Ornaments: Slice oranges thinly, dry them, and string them together to create a fragrant garland.
Creative Advent Calendar Ideas
Choose from these unique approaches to create a personalized advent calendar that adds to the holiday spirit.
- Paper Bag Advent Calendar: Decorate paper bags with numbers and small gifts or treats.
- Wooden Block Advent Calendar: Paint wooden blocks with numbers and attach small envelopes or boxes.
- Picture Frame Advent Calendar: Use small picture frames to display daily treats or messages.
Festive Lighting Techniques
Set the mood with these lighting ideas, transforming your home into a warm and inviting space.
| Lighting Type | Materials Needed | Placement Suggestions | Atmosphere Created |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairy Lights | Fairy light strings, batteries (if needed) | Drape around the Christmas tree, along windowsills, or across mantelpieces. | Magical, whimsical, warm |
| Candles | Candles, candle holders | Place on mantelpieces, tables, or windowsills. Use caution and never leave unattended. | Romantic, cozy, traditional |
| Projected Lights | Projector, Christmas-themed slides | Project onto walls or ceilings to create a festive backdrop. | Enchanted, festive, immersive |
Christmas Music & Movie Night
Enhance your Christmas celebrations with a curated selection of classic songs and interactive movie experiences.
Classic Christmas Songs
These timeless songs capture the spirit of Christmas and evoke cherished memories.
- Silent Night: A peaceful carol with a rich history, conveying the serenity of Christmas Eve.
- White Christmas: An iconic song that evokes the imagery of a snowy Christmas.
- Jingle Bells: A lively and cheerful song that embodies the festive spirit.
- O Holy Night: A powerful and moving carol that celebrates the birth of Christ.
- Deck the Halls: An exuberant carol that invites everyone to join in the Christmas celebrations.
Interactive Christmas Movie Experiences
Elevate your family movie night with these engaging activities.
- Themed Snacks and Drinks: Prepare snacks and drinks inspired by the movie you’re watching.
- Costume Party: Encourage everyone to dress up as their favorite characters from the movie.
- Movie-Themed Crafts: Engage in a craft activity related to the movie’s themes or characters.
Christmas Playlist for Children
Create a playlist that blends traditional carols with modern Christmas songs and instrumental pieces, ensuring a diverse and engaging listening experience.
Include a mix of upbeat and mellow tunes to cater to various moods. Consider adding instrumental versions of classic carols for background music during activities like crafts or games. This ensures a varied and enjoyable musical experience for everyone.
So there you have it – a sleigh-full of Christmas activities to keep the little ones (and maybe even the grown-ups!) entertained this holiday season. From crafting charming ornaments to baking scrumptious treats and creating unforgettable memories, this Christmas is all about embracing the joy of togetherness and the magic of the season. Remember, the best gifts aren’t always wrapped in shiny paper; they’re wrapped in laughter, love, and the shared experiences of a truly magical Christmas at home.
Now go forth and spread the Christmas cheer!
Popular Questions: Christmas Things To Do At Home For Kids
What if my kids are younger than 5?
Adapt the crafts and activities to their age and abilities. Simpler crafts, shorter stories, and less complex games will work perfectly.
Can I use store-bought ingredients for the baking?
Absolutely! The recipes are guidelines; feel free to use pre-made ingredients to save time.
What if I don’t have all the materials listed for a craft?
Get creative! Substitute with similar materials you have on hand. The spirit of crafting is about improvisation!
How can I make the Christmas movie night more interactive for toddlers?
Pause the movie at key moments and ask questions about the plot, characters, or what they think will happen next. Sing along to the songs!
