20 Easy Christmas Activities for Kids at Home

December is magical, and also long. Between school breaks, snow days and the wait for Christmas morning, most parents need a stack of easy ideas that don't require a craft-store run. Here are 20 Christmas activities for kids that use things you probably already have, plus a few printables that make setup take seconds.

Cozy activities for quiet time

1. Color a Christmas scene. Coloring is the easiest screen-free win there is. Print a stack of Christmas coloring pages and keep them by the crayons.
2. Read a holiday picture book together. Ask your child to predict what happens next before you turn each page. Georgie the Red Panda Celebrates Christmas is a cozy pick.
3. Do a Christmas word search or maze. Puzzles build focus and patience, and the ones in the Christmas Activity Pack come with an answer key.
4. Write a letter to Santa. It's handwriting practice disguised as fun. Younger kids can draw their wish list instead.
5. Make a "countdown chain." Cut paper strips, write a number on each, and tear one off every night until Christmas.

Crafts with things you already have

6. Paper snowflakes. Fold printer paper into a triangle, snip shapes along the edges and unfold.
7. Toilet-roll reindeer. Brown paint or paper, googly eyes (or drawn ones) and twig antlers.
8. Hand-made gift tags. Let kids decorate tags for the presents they're giving. Or print ready-made gift tags for them to color in.
9. Wrapping paper art. Give kids plain paper and stamps or markers to design their own wrap.
10. Homemade Christmas cards for grandparents, teachers and neighbors.

Games for the whole family

11. Christmas bingo. Great for family nights and classroom parties.
12. Holiday charades. Act out "wrapping a present," "building a snowman" or "reindeer flying."
13. Jingle bell hide-and-seek. Hide a small bell and let kids track down the sound.
14. "Would you rather" Christmas edition. Would you rather ride in Santa's sleigh or build a snowman as tall as your house?
15. Christmas trivia. Mix easy questions for little ones with tricky ones for adults. The Christmas Party Games Pack has bingo, trivia, would you rather and charades ready to print.

Kindness and family traditions

16. Advent kindness challenges. One small act a day, like drawing a picture for a neighbor or helping set the table. Advent calendar activity cards give you 25 ready-made ideas.
17. Bake and decorate cookies. Kids can measure, stir and decorate. Turn it into a party with a cookie exchange.
18. Look at Christmas lights. Put on pajamas, grab hot chocolate and drive or walk around the neighborhood.
19. Donate toys together. Let kids choose a toy or two to give to children who need them.
20. Make a family time capsule. Write down favorite memories from this year and open it next Christmas.

Make it easy on yourself

The secret to a calm December is having activities ready before you need them. Print a few things on a quiet evening and keep them in a folder for the next snow day or "I'm bored" moment.

Want a whole season's worth? The Christmas Printables Mega Bundle has all 11 packs, or browse every Christmas printable.