Posted on December 3rd, 2025.

The holidays look sweetest when the kids are happy, busy, and part of the fun instead of just waiting for presents. That takes a little planning, especially when school is out and energy is high. The good news: simple activities can go a long way.

Hands-on crafts, easy games, and cozy card nights turn long December days into time that actually feels special. When kids are creating, moving, and laughing, screens fade into the background and everyone relaxes a bit more. Parents get memories instead of just messes.

You don’t need a complicated schedule or expensive supplies, either. With a few go-to ideas and a flexible mindset, you can fill the season with Christmas activities for kids that work for different ages and attention spans. Think crafts, games, and shared experiences that build traditions you’ll want to repeat.

Creating Magical Moments with Christmas Arts and Crafts

Christmas arts and crafts are one of the easiest ways to keep little hands busy and minds engaged. Kids love seeing simple materials turn into decorations they can proudly show off. For parents, these projects become built-in keepsakes that come back out year after year. Even basic activities feel special when they’re tied to the season.

Start with homemade ornaments, which are perfect fun activities to do with your kids at Christmas. Clear plastic baubles, washable paint, and a bit of ribbon are all you need. Kids can drip, swirl, or dot paint inside each ornament to create their own designs. Add names and the year with a paint pen, and you’ve got an instant tradition.

Salt dough ornaments are another classic Christmas activity for kids. The dough is quick to mix with pantry staples, and children love pressing it, rolling it, and cutting out shapes. Once the ornaments bake and cool, they can be painted and sealed. Every fingerprint and brushstroke becomes part of a story you’ll hang on the tree.

Christmas cards offer a way to blend creativity with kindness. Set out blank cards, stickers, crayons, markers, and a few stencils. Encourage kids to design cards for grandparents, neighbors, teachers, or friends. They can draw trees, snowmen, or stars and dictate short messages if they’re too young to write. The result is personal, heartfelt, and unique.

For DIY Christmas crafts that double as decor, try simple projects like paper chains, paper snowflakes, or kid-made table centerpieces. Children can glue cotton balls onto paper trees, decorate jars for candle holders with tissue paper, or paint pinecones collected from outside. These projects fill your home with cheerful, handmade touches.

To keep things stress-free, set up a basic craft station so supplies are easy to grab and put away. Reuse boxes or bins to organize materials, and focus on one or two projects at a time. The goal isn’t perfect results; it’s connection. When you sit alongside your kids, chat about the season, and enjoy the process, you create the magical moments they’ll remember.

Festive Games for Holiday Cheer

Festive games are a great way to bring everyone together after crafts are done and the snacks are out. Fun Christmas activities for families don’t have to be complex to be memorable. A simple game night with holiday twists can turn an ordinary evening into a highlight of the season. Laughter, friendly competition, and teamwork come built in.

Christmas Charades is an easy starting point. Write holiday-themed words or phrases on slips of paper: decorating the tree, wrapping presents, a snowball fight, or singing carols. Players act out the prompt without speaking while everyone else guesses. Younger kids can draw simple pictures instead of acting if that feels more comfortable.

A Christmas Scavenger Hunt adds movement and excitement. Hide small items—candy canes, ornaments, jingle bells, or tiny toys—around your home. Provide picture clues for younger children and written hints for older ones. You can tie the hunt into earlier crafts by hiding a few of their handmade ornaments as “bonus” finds.

Outdoor games work well when the weather cooperates. Try a holiday version of Capture the Flag by using a bright ornament or ribbon instead of a flag. Divide into teams, set up simple boundaries, and let kids race, strategize, and cheer each other on. If there’s snow, a Snowman Building Challenge offers a fun alternative that still gets everyone outside.

On days when it’s too cold or wet, bring the fun back indoors with low-impact games. A “Santa Hat Toss” using hats as targets and soft toys or wrapped treats as toss items is easy to set up in a hallway. Or tape a line on the floor and see who can “slide” a small gift box closest without crossing the line. Adjust the rules so younger kids can succeed too.

The best festive games for kids balance activity with inclusion. Rotate leaders, allow kids to suggest rules, and pair younger children with older siblings or adults. That way, everyone feels involved. Over time, certain games will become your family’s signature traditions, the ones kids ask about as soon as the decorations come out.

Deck the Halls with Fun Card Games

Card games are perfect for quieter nights when you still want interaction and fun Christmas activities for families. They work around different bedtimes, are easy to learn, and can travel with you to relatives’ houses. With a few holiday tweaks, classic card games feel fresh and festive again.

Start with simple Christmas versions of familiar games. “Santa’s Go Fish” follows the usual rules, but players ask for icons—trees, stockings, bells, snowflakes—on themed cards instead of numbers. Younger kids practice matching and taking turns while enjoying silly requests like “Do you have any reindeer? ”

“Reindeer Rummy” can use a standard deck plus a printed cheat sheet that pairs each suit with a holiday symbol. As players collect sets and runs, they can call out what their cards represent. This keeps older kids thinking strategically while younger ones stay engaged with the themed language and artwork.

DIY Christmas card decks add an extra layer of creativity. Give kids index cards or sturdy cardstock and let them draw gingerbread men, snowflakes, presents, and candy canes. Once you have enough designs, you can use the deck for Memory Match, Old Maid–style games, or simple matching contests. Making the cards is half the fun.

Christmas Memory Match is ideal for mixed ages. Lay the holiday cards face down in a grid and take turns flipping two at a time. When players find a match, they keep the pair and go again. You can adjust the grid size based on your group’s ages and attention spans, making it very flexible.

For a quick, active twist, try a Christmas I Spy game with cards. Hide a few image cards around the room or tree area. Call out clues such as “I spy something with stripes” or “I spy something that hangs on the tree,” and let kids hunt for the matching card. It keeps them moving while still feeling structured.

These card-based Christmas activities for kids encourage focus, memory, and social skills without feeling like homework. They’re easy to pull out when you have a spare half hour and don’t want to start a movie. Most important, they give your family a chance to talk, joke, and connect while hands and minds stay busy.

Related: Get the Best Shot: How to Capture Your Child & Santa in Reno, Nevada

Make This Christmas One They Remember

When you fill the season with crafts, games, and shared experiences, kids remember more than the presents under the tree. They remember feeling involved, heard, and connected. Simple Christmas activities for kids can quietly shape the way your family talks about the holidays for years.

At The Place in Time, LLC, we love helping families build those kinds of memories. Our Santa’s Street experience in Reno, NV brings together festive crafts, kid-friendly activities, and a welcoming holiday setting that makes it easy to relax and enjoy time together.

But, beyond just the crafts, the experience shared in creating something new together brings its own magic to the holiday table. It’s not solely about the finished product—the paper wreaths, the glittering snowmen, or the playful cards. Rather, it's the shared laughs over a spilled jar of glitter or the groans of surprised delight when a salt dough ornament turns out better than expected.

For the most rewarding experience, ensure everyone takes part—adults included. Looking for a local venue to dive into a festive wonderland?

Bring your family to Santa's Street in Reno, NV for unforgettable holiday fun, crafts, and festive activities—Reserve your tickets today!

Drop us an email at [email protected] to get your tickets.