Five Simple Things to Make Christmas Memories with Your Kids
Creating magical Christmas memories doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. The most cherished moments are often the simplest ones — those filled with laughter, love, and a bit of creativity. Here are five easy and budget-friendly activities that you can do with your kids to make this Christmas season extra special!
1. DIY Christmas Ornaments
Making Christmas ornaments together is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor, and it’s a craft that kids of all ages can enjoy. You can use materials you likely already have around the house, such as paper, popsicle sticks, or salt dough.
Here’s a quick idea: Mix equal parts salt and flour with a bit of water to form a dough, then roll it out and use cookie cutters to make shapes. Let them dry or bake them in the oven, and once cool, have the kids paint their creations. String them up and hang them on the tree as a special keepsake to bring out each year.
2. Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
Bundle up, hop in the car, and drive around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights! Turn it into a fun scavenger hunt by making a list of things to look for, like a snowman, a house covered in blue lights, or a Santa on the roof.
Give each child a copy of the list and see who can spot everything first. This is a simple, free way to get into the Christmas spirit while enjoying the creativity of your community.
Grab a free list here! The list has pictures for your younger kids who aren’t reading yet too!
You can also check your local Facebook listings for those special streets that really get into the spirit!
3. Bake and Decorate Cookies
There’s something about the smell of freshly baked cookies that makes a home feel extra cozy for Christmas. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let your kids help with the mixing, rolling, and, of course, the decorating!
To make it easier (and slightly less stressful for you), you can use store-bought dough and let the kids focus on decorating. Provide fun toppings like sprinkles, colored frosting, and mini candies. This activity is as much about the process as it is about enjoying the treats afterward (and maybe sharing a few with neighbors or friends).
4. Create a Christmas Storybook
This activity requires only paper, crayons, and your kids’ imaginations. Sit down together and write a Christmas story featuring your family, pets, or favorite holiday characters. You can add illustrations and even glue in photos to make it more personal.
Let each child add their ideas and contribute to the story, creating something fun and memorable. Not only is this a keepsake you can bring out each Christmas, but it also lets your kids practice storytelling and drawing skills in a fun, festive way.
Have a little perfectionist in the family? My oldest struggles to get his vision onto the paper sometimes and that can lead to big feelings and tantrums. So to prevent that from even starting, you can have them color these fun Christmas coloring pages!
5. Have a Christmas Movie Marathon and Indoor Campout
Choose a few family-friendly Christmas movies, make a big bowl of popcorn, and turn your living room into a cozy theater. You could add some blankets and pillows to create a little “campout” spot. Let each child pick a movie, or choose a few classics to watch together.
As you watch, consider adding little “movie bingo” cards with fun items like “Christmas tree” or “Santa says ‘Ho Ho Ho’.” This makes it interactive and keeps everyone engaged.
At its core - the holiday season is about slowing down and cherishing time together. With these easy activities, you’ll create beautiful memories with your children that don’t require a lot of planning or expense. Enjoy these simple traditions, and remember — it’s the time spent together that your kids will remember most.
If you try any of these comment below and let me know!
