Christmas Activity Ideas for Families with Babies, Toddlers, and Young Children
Christmas is a time to gather together as a family and enjoy some festive cheer, and it’s even more special when you have young children to share it with. Whether you’re celebrating your baby’s first Christmas, keeping a toddler entertained, or sharing traditions with your older child, there’s a whole host of activities to make the season memorable. Here are some lovely ideas that are perfect for families with little ones.
1. Create a Baby’s First Christmas Keepsake
For babies, Christmas is the perfect time to make a keepsake that you’ll treasure forever. A handprint or footprint craft is simple but special. You can use non-toxic paint to make the prints, and transform them into a Christmas tree decoration, card, or framed artwork. It’s a wonderful way to remember their first Christmas, and it’s an activity you’ll always look back on fondly.
Tip: If your little one is napping, take the opportunity to do this craft, as it can get a little messy!
2. Decorate the Christmas Tree Together
Getting your toddler or young child involved in decorating the Christmas tree is a great way to start creating family memories. Toddlers may not be able to reach the higher branches, but they’ll love hanging up soft or plastic baubles and garlands. You can also have fun making homemade decorations, like salt dough ornaments or paper chains, that can be proudly hung on the tree each year.
Fun twist: Create a family tradition where everyone adds a new decoration every year. This makes for a sentimental touch and something to look forward to.
3. Christmas Storytime
Reading Christmas stories together is a lovely way to wind down after a busy day. For babies, board books with simple pictures and textures are perfect. Toddlers will enjoy lift-the-flap books, while older children might love a more traditional tale. Make it extra fun by adding in Christmas carols or acting out parts of the story.
4. Sensory Play
Babies and toddlers learn best through sensory experiences, so why not create a Christmas-themed sensory box? Fill it with items like cotton wool (for snow), glitter, mini baubles, or even a small tree. This allows them to explore different textures while engaging with Christmas-themed items. Be sure to supervise them, as younger children may still try to put things in their mouths.
5. Baking Christmas Biscuits
Baking together is a great way to spend time as a family, and it’s especially fun for toddlers who love being involved. While your little one might not be able to help with all the steps, they can certainly assist with the decoration. Why not make gingerbread biscuits or shortbread, and let your child decorate them with icing and sprinkles?
Pro tip: Try making sugar-free biscuits for babies who are just starting to enjoy food, or go for traditional British gingerbread that they can nibble on.
6. Christmas Lights Walk
One of the simple pleasures of Christmas in the UK is walking around your neighbourhood to look at the Christmas lights. You can make it an adventure by asking your toddler to spot certain things—like a snowman, a Santa, or the biggest tree. It’s a wonderful way to get some fresh air, and little ones are often mesmerised by the twinkling lights.
Tip: Wrap up warm with a hot chocolate in a travel mug or a Christmas snack to keep everyone cheerful during the walk.
7. Festive Crafting
Crafting is a great way to keep children engaged over the Christmas period, and there are plenty of simple and fun ideas. You can make everything from paper plate Christmas trees to salt dough ornaments. Toddlers will love sticking, painting, and getting involved with textures, while older children can help with cutting out shapes and assembling their creations.
Craft ideas:
- Paper snowflakes
- Handprint or footprint reindeer
- Homemade Christmas cards
8. Christmas Songs and Dance
Turn up the Christmas tunes and have a little family dance party! Young children love to move and groove, especially when they hear their favourite festive songs. You can teach them simple dances or just let them bop along to the music. Classic tunes are perfect for little ones.
9. Christmas Movie Time
After a busy day of Christmas activities, curl up on the sofa with your little ones and watch a Christmas film together. Babies like to see visually stunning and engaging shows with music to jingle along to, while toddlers may enjoy festive short films featuring their favourite cartoon character. As they grow older, you can start introducing more festive classics.
10. DIY Christmas Sensory Bags
For babies and toddlers, sensory bags filled with Christmas-themed items can be a great way to entertain them while introducing them to the sights and sounds of the season. Use clear ziplock bags filled with glitter, mini bells, fabric, or snowflake confetti, and let your little one explore them safely.
Final Thoughts
Spending quality time with your little ones at Christmas is all about making memories. Whether you’re decorating the tree, baking biscuits, or simply snuggling up with a Christmas book, there are endless ways to make the festive season special for babies, toddlers, and young children. The most important thing is to enjoy these moments together—they’re the ones you’ll cherish for years to come.
From all of us here, wishing you and your little ones a very merry Christmas!
