50 Family Christmas Activities at Home (Perfect for Christmas Day)

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Make Christmas Day extra special with these family Christmas activities at home! From cozy crafts and holiday games to Christmas morning traditions and festive fun for the whole family, this list of Christmas Day family activities is full of meaningful ways to connect and create lasting memories.

Looking for family Christmas activities at home that make the most of your one big day together? This list rounds up 50 fun and meaningful Christmas Day family activities!

With slow, cozy moments in the living room to energizing bursts of friendly competition, plus a few simple ideas for getting fresh air and giving back, you’re sure to find some inspiration on our list. Whether you’re celebrating with toddlers, younger kids, older kids, grandparents or extended family, you’ll find fun activities that bring the whole family together.

I’ve split them into a few sections to help you find what you’re looking for:

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50 Family Christmas Activities

Get in on the fun this holiday season with some of these easy ideas for celebrating Christmas as a family!

At-Home Christmas Morning Magic

These ideas make the most wonderful time of the year feel extra special the first thing on the big day.

Matching Christmas Pajama Photo
Slip into Christmas pajamas, pop on Santa hats, and take a quick family photo in front of the Christmas tree. It’s a perfect way to kick off the morning and capture those kids’ face reactions.

Hot Chocolate (Hot Cocoa) Bar
Set up a simple hot chocolate station with whipped cream, candy canes, sprinkles and marshmallows. Add a “grown-ups only” cocoa option for a personalized touch.

Read Christmas Stories by the Tree
Cuddle up and read Christmas stories—from the nativity play passage to favorite Christmas books. Rotating readers gives everyone a special time to shine.

Jingle Bells Wake-Up Parade
Let kids tiptoe through the house with jingle bells to wake up siblings and grandparents. Five minutes of giggles equals lasting memories.

Christmas Morning Scavenger Hunt
Hide small clues around the living room and kitchen that lead to one final surprise. Make a little map for younger children, or write riddles for older kids.

Stocking Station With Fine Motor Fun
Set out stockings and a bowl of little items (erasers, stickers, tiny candy canes) kids can sort, pick up with tongs or chopsticks, and tuck into stockings. Great fine motor skills practice for little hands.

Holiday Cards Speed Sign-Off
Lay out Christmas cards and holiday cards for late-arriving relatives or neighbors, and have the entire family add signatures. It’s a good idea if you’ll drop off treats later.

Make a Morning “Wish List” for the Day
Together, create a list of fun Christmas activities everyone wants to do before bedtime—then pick your top 3. A great way to balance excitement with calm.

Christmas Story Time Circle
Invite each family member to share a favorite memory from last year or a favorite line from a Christmas song. Hello, holiday spirit.

Unwrap With Intention
Open gifts one by one so kids can truly see each other’s presents and say thanks. Keep a notepad handy for thank-you notes.

Mid-Day Moments: Cozy, Creative, Connected

When the buzz settles between open gifts and Christmas dinner, try these fun ideas indoors.

Bake Christmas Cookies Together
Decorate sugar cookies, gingerbread men or mince pies. Let little ones spread icing, shake sprinkles and practice fine motor movements. Try new recipes for a delightful way to spend time.

Gingerbread House (or Gingerbread House Kits)
Go classic with a gingerbread house, or hand everyone a mini kit for a friendly competition. Add awards for “tallest,” “most festive lights,” or “best candy canes use.”

DIY Ornament Craft Stations
Set out simple holiday crafts—salt-dough ornaments (or easy air dry clay ones), paper snowflakes, yarn stars. Keep it low-mess with washi tape and wrapping paper scraps.

Christmas Coupon Books
Kids create Christmas coupon books for grandparents (hugs, help with dishes, a board game). It’s a personal touch that becomes a keepsake.

Board Games by the Tree
Choose board games or a quick Christmas trivia round. For younger kids, try memory or picture-matching. For older kids, go strategy.

Christmas Movie Matinee
Pick a holiday movie to watch together—Home Alone, The Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s the perfect time for a family cuddle pile. Here are some of our favorite G-rated Christmas movies, too.

Wrap-It-Again Game
Gather leftover wrapping paper for a timed challenge: which team can wrap a shoebox the fastest using only one hand. Much fun, lots of laughs.

Read-Aloud + Quiet Play
Create a quiet zone with Christmas books, blocks and puzzles for kids who need a break. A fantastic way to support different skill level needs.

Christmas Card Tree
Tape up favorite holiday cards into the shape of a tree on a wall. Add a star on top and little notes of gratitude underneath.

Photo Corner at Home
Use a plain wall and hang Christmas decorations for a DIY backdrop. If you hired professional photographers this year, recreate one pose at home for a sweet side-by-side.

Friendly Competition & Party-Style Games

Keep the energy high with these fun Christmas activities designed for giggles and movement.

Christmas Left-Right Story Gift Game
Use our Christmas Party Games Left Right Story free printables for this fun gift exchange idea! Players pass gifts left or right every time they hear the word. Perfect for large groups or a small crew.

Christmas Charades or Pictionary
Act out “gingerbread houses,” “Santa Claus on the north pole,” “ice skating,” or “white Christmas.” Great for older kids and hilarious for younger kids too. Snag a set of free Christmas pictionary cards to make it even easier.

Candy Cane Relay
Race to carry a candy cane from one bowl to another using only a spoon. Fun way to burn wiggles before the big day meal.

Minute to Win It: Ornament Stack
Stack plastic ornaments into a pyramid in under 60 seconds. Bonus round with mittens.

Christmas Escape Room at Home
Print a holiday escape room—solve clues to “unlock” dessert or a small prize. Perfect for mixed ages with adult help.

Name That Tune: Christmas Songs
Short clips from Christmas music, first family to shout the title wins. Toss in Christmas carols and Christmas songs from different decades.

Guess the Cookie
Blindfold taste test: gingerbread vs. sugar cookies vs. shortbread. Everyone votes for their favorite.

Present Tower Challenge
Use only empty boxes and tape to build the tallest “present tower.” Add ribbon for flair.

Polar Express Ticket Hunt
Hide “tickets” around the house. Cash them in for cocoa toppings, a sticker, or a seat reservation for movie time.

Christmas Market at Home
Set up play “stalls” with crafts, cookies, and cocoa. Kids can “shop” using paper tickets. It’s a wonderful way to role-play a Christmas market without leaving the house.

Backyard & Fresh-Air Ideas (Close to Home)

Chilly outside? These are simple and doable if you want fresh air on the holiday season’s main event.

Backyard Light Displays Walk
Bundle up and stroll to see christmas lights or your own festive lights. Even a 10-minute loop resets the mood.

Snow (or Leaf) Scavenger Hunt
If you have snow, list “powdery snow,” “footprints,” “icicle.” No snow? Try “pinecone,” “red bow,” “wreath.”

Drive-Through Light Displays
If a local display is open on December 25, take a quick ride. Check hours in advance. Great for younger kids between naps!

Backyard Ice Skating
If you’ve got a rink or frozen pond and it’s safe, skate with a thermos of hot cocoa. If not, host “indoor skating” in socks on hardwood.

Sledding + Cocoa
Five runs down a hill, then back for cocoa. Great time guaranteed.

Family Photo Walk
Take a slow loop and let kids photograph “10 favorite things” they see—lights, wreaths, their people.

Giving Back on Christmas Day

Turn the spirit of the season into action with these holiday traditions that work even on the day itself (verify local hours).

Treats for Neighbors or First Responders
Package a plate of holiday treats or Christmas cookies and drop them at a station or outside a neighbor’s door. Add a quick note: “Merry Christmas from our whole family.”

Blessing Bags Assembly
Make a few simple kits (snacks, wipes, socks) for future drop-off. Let the kids help sort for great fine motor practice.

Toy or Book Tidy + Donate
Invite each child to choose one toy or book to gift onward. It’s a great opportunity to talk about generosity. Or do the Santa Sack on Christmas Eve!

Thank-You Video Messages
Record short love notes to family afar (hello, social media share if you choose). Grandparents will treasure it.

Holiday Service at Local Churches
If schedules allow, attend or stream a service. Many local churches offer child-friendly messages and music.

Soup Kitchen or Meal Drop
Some communities coordinate Christmas Day meal deliveries. If same-day slots are filled, sign up together for New Year’s week.

Christmas Dinner & Cozy Evening Traditions

End the day with magic and calm. These Christmas day traditions keep the holiday cheer going long after dessert.

Kids’ Craft Stations While Dinner Finishes
Set out craft stations with coloring, paper snowflakes, and sticker trees so little ones stay happily busy.

Family Gratitude Toast
Before christmas dinner, invite each person to share one moment of good times from the christmas season.

Table Place Cards by Kids
Let kids make name cards with stickers and stamps. It’s an easy Christmas activity and adds a personalized touch.

Story of the Nativity
Read the Christmas story or host a mini nativity play after dinner. Simple costumes (tea towels, belts) make it memorable.

Movie + Cocoa Wind-Down
Choose one holiday movie for a cozy nightcap—The Polar Express, Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life, or Miracle on 34th Street. The perfect time for that second mug of hot chocolate.

Night Lights Drive
One last loop to see light displays and say goodnight to the neighborhood. Little ones often nod off on the way home.

Family Year-in-Review
Create a quick “top 5” list of favorite things from the year. Tuck it into a memory jar or scrapbook.

Christmas Songs Lullaby
Dim the tree, put on soft Christmas music, and hum a few Christmas carols together before bedtime.

Need calm time?
Browse our Best Christmas Books for Toddlers, Preschoolers & Kids for read-aloud picks.

If You Leave the House (Check Hours First)

Every city is different on Christmas Day. If something is open near you, it can be a treat to check out, and a good break from the sugar rush, too:

• Public parks and nature trails are often open for a quick walk.
• Some ice skating rinks offer limited hours.
• A few drive-through light displays run on Christmas Day.
• Visiting a Christmas tree farm is typically an earlier-in-December activity, but some farms host festive season displays.
• Many movie theaters are also open on Christmas Day.

Handy Tips for a Smooth Christmas Day at Home

• Balance the schedule. Alternate calm moments (reading, crafts) with movement (relays, scavenger hunts) for younger kids.
• Prep a few stations. A craft or game that kids can revisit is the best way to keep peace during meal prep.
• Keep it short. Ten-minute activities work wonders for mixed ages and attention spans.
• Say yes to simple. A fun activity doesn’t need a lot of supplies.
• Embrace the mess (a little). That’s where the lasting memories live.

Final Thoughts: The Heart of Christmas Begins at Home

The holiday season can be busy, but spending time together is the magic of Christmas. Whether you build a gingerbread house, sip hot cocoa, sing Christmas carols, or cuddle up for a Christmas movie night, these family Christmas activities at home make the Christmas celebration feel extra special—no matter your group size or ages.

Pick three to five ideas, enjoy your great time together, and remember: the best gifts on Christmas morning are the faces around your table.

Merry Christmas to your entire family from Mimosas & Motherhood®!

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