12 Simple Christmas Activities That Kids Actually Love

Parents know that Christmas is not just about the big day; it's the little moments leading up to it that kids remember forever. Let's be honest, though-anything is better than hearing "is it Christmas yet?" a million times.

So, why not have a little fun along the way apart from the same old advent calendar and spice it up with these 12 Christmas activities sure to keep any kid satisfied leading up to the big day.

1.    Bake Cookies Together

Want to keep the kids busy? Good old cookie baking never fails. Forget perfect shapes, neat frosting, or clean countertops - kids make the weirdest cookies, along with some messes, and that's what makes it fun!

One mom shared how her 6-year-old made a cookie that was supposed to be Santa but looked more like a potato wearing a hat. They still laugh about it. If you're a perfectionist or neat freak, this may be outside your comfort zone, but it's all part of the plan!

Kids aren't worried about perfection; they are invested in the memories made with whom they love. The crust-covered mixing bowl will still be there later, Mom.

2.    Setup A Hot Chocolate Station

Speaking of messes - because let's face it, kids and Christmas are going to equal mess - hot chocolate stations are pure chaos in the best way.

Just put some mugs out, set out packets of cocoa mix, and set up some fun toppings - think mini marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup. Watch your kiddos go wild adding stuff!

One might fill up their mug with marshmallows, while another pours half the can of whipped cream into their cup. You can even set out cinnamon sticks or candy canes for them to use as fun stirrers! Sure, the counter is going to get sticky, but it will be worth it when you see the magic in their eyes!

3.    See the Christmas Light Displays Around Your Area

Driving around and looking at Christmas lights doesn't cost anything except gas. You can make it a quiet drive in the little neighborhoods or cruise on over to a specific light display event.

Just dress them up warm and have them be little critics for the houses: "That house needs more lights!" and "Why is their Santa deflating?" Make it a fun game to go out and find the most outrageous display in town. You can even bring snacks and play Christmas songs in the car. Or get creative and make up stories about the houses you see – "I bet the Grinch lives in that one." Kids love using their imagination so go wild with it!

4.    Make Handmade Ornaments Together

Salt dough ornaments might sound fancy but they're actually quite simple to make. You can make two dozen ornaments with 4 cups of flour, 1 cup of table salt, and 1.5 cups of water.

Let the kids smoosh it up and cut shapes or push handprints in the center! When the shapes are ready, you can bake them or let them air dry (air drying takes 4 to 7 days but ensures less air bubbles and avoids burning them). Of course, if you do bake them, it can take several hours. Set your oven to 250 degrees F. Bake for 90 minutes up to 2 hours. The key is to make sure they are firm to the touch, checking every 20 minutes.

Don't forget to use a lollipop stick or a skewer to poke a hole so you can hang them! Once they are ready, let the kids paint them whatever crazy colors they want and/or add glitter. No need for perfect decorating jobs here. These often turn into funny-looking blobs that somehow become family favorites on the tree.

5.    Have A Snowball Fight (Indoors!)

Got stir-crazy kids inside because of the weather? If you don't want to bundle up and brace the cold (or if you just want something new to do), then try a sock snowball fight!

Move the coffee table aside, build a couple couch cushion forts, and let them hurl the sock balls at each other. Well, first cover or hide the breakable items, and make sure the socks are clean, of course.

6.    Write A Letter To Santa

Writing to Santa doesn't have to be just a list of toys. Some kids write the funniest letters. One boy wanted to know if reindeer get bathroom breaks on the big night.

Another wanted to know if elves ever call in sick to work. These are great keepsakes - especially when kids do their best to spell big words. You can even get crafty and create a postcard, allowing them to add some drawings or decorative flair to the front.

7.    Give Them A Christmas Eve Surprise Box

Christmas Eve boxes or early presents can help with the "I'm too excited to sleep" problem. Nothing fancy needed - new PJs, maybe a book, some snacks.

The dollar store is great for this! This gives kids something to focus on besides staring at the clock all night. You can even address it from Santa's elves and attach a little note saying that tomorrow they can expect more to celebrate how good they've been all year - for the most part.

8.    Make Paper Snowflakes

Guess what - those paper snowflakes everyone made in school are still fun! Kids can go wild cutting random patterns. Some turn out looking like actual snowflakes, others look more like Swiss cheese. It's fun to see how each one is unique or to try and replicate one that turns out just right! No matter how they look, hang them up anyway.

9.    Build A Gingerbread House

Gingerbread houses often end up looking crazy - and that's okay! Graham crackers work just fine instead of fancy gingerbread. Half the candy usually ends up eaten before it makes it onto the house.

Sometimes the walls fall down, and kids just make a pile of cookies and frosting they call a "snow fort" instead. You can also get a piece of cardboard and lay it out as the "yard" and let them decorate around their messy masterpiece!

10. Have A Holiday Movie Night

For movie night -or days - skim the pressure of having to sit still through entire films. Kids bounce around, act out scenes, and ask a million questions anyway. Make it fun with piles of blankets, forts, and snacks.

Let them watch favorite parts over and over, even if parents can't stand hearing that one song again. If you have more than one child, allow each child to choose a movie, or you all can take a vote in what to watch!

11. Create Holiday Theme Party Magic

Want to make an ordinary day extra special? Plan a holiday theme party without fancy decorations or pricey gifts. Kids love themes, and parents can get in on the fun too. Set up some simple stations: a cookie decorating station, a dance floor with holiday music, or a craft station where kids can make their own party accessories and take pictures with them.

12. Host A Game Night with A Holiday Twist

Board games get a Christmas makeover during the holidays. Regular game pieces are swapped out for holiday-themed tokens. Candy canes become game markers. Ornaments replace monopoly houses. Some families create their own holiday-themed versions of classic games - like Christmas charades or reindeer trivia.

The best game nights are not about winning but laughing together, making noise, and creating memories. One family shared how their Pictionary game turned into a hilarious drawing session where "Santa" looked more like a lumpy potato with a beard.

13. Create Christmas Crafts

Crafts don't have to be perfect creations from Pinterest. The kids just want to get messy and be proud of something they made. Grab some construction paper, glue, and glitter (if you are feeling brave), and let the imagination fly.

Thread popcorn for garlands. Make paper chain countdowns or Christmas plate Santas. Create a 3D paper Christmas tree and glue puffballs on it. Ever heard of reindeer food? Make up your own invention!

14. Make DIY Ugly Christmas Sweaters

Well, ugly Christmas sweaters have become a hilarious family tradition for so many people. So, why not set up a DIY ugly Christmas sweater station?

All you need is an old sweater, some fabric glue, and whatever crazy decorations you can find. Stick on jingle bells, fake snow, plastic ornaments, stuffed animals - seriously, and get quirky. This isn't about looking good; it is about looking as ridiculous as possible. Kids love having a complete creative license to make the most hideous sweater they can think of. Why not take a family picture when you are all finished? It will be a fun family memory to display next Christmas!

15. Create a Donation Box

Christmas is not only about receiving - it is about giving as well. This is something that we would do well to teach our children sooner rather than later.

One simple way to do this might be to set up a donation box and involve the kids in choosing items to donate. Old toys, books, clothes - things they've outgrown but are still in good shape. Make it a game. Who can find the most items to donate?

Talk about how their old toys might make another child happy. Some kids get really excited about this. One boy insisted on donating his favorite dinosaur book in order for another child to enjoy it as much as he had. These moments are teaching kindness better than any lecture ever could.

Wrapping Up The Holiday Fun

The secret to all this? Don't try to make everything perfect. Real Christmas fun is messy, loud, and sometimes a little chaotic. Kids don't care if the cookies look weird or if half the ornaments are clumped on one branch of the tree.

Some days may mean just snuggling up and reading Christmas books. Other days might involve epic crafting sessions, during which glitter is sprinkled everywhere. Both are alright. Parents with kids who have survived many a Christmassy season claim it is in those moments - nobody trying too hard - that something magical happens.

Just pick what works: maybe skip the complicated craft projects with toddlers or try simple versions - a 3-year-old might just want to stick stickers on paper and call it a masterpiece. That counts too.

The point? Christmas with kids is weird and wonderful. The best times are always in the random moments: when someone puts googly eyes on all the nativity figures or names the plastic reindeer Bob. These are the stories families tell years later, laughing about the Christmas crafts gone wrong or the time everyone got so tired of holiday music they played rock songs with Santa hats on instead.