The holiday season is a magical time for children and families, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year. Making sure to spend quality time with your kids can help create lasting memories amid the hustle and bustle. Engaging in fun crafts and activities leading up to Christmas can make the wait for Santa’s arrival even more exciting!

Grab the kids, because we’ve got activities (including estimated time, a supply list, and simple instructions!) to make these festive moments stress-free and memorable. Click on a project to get started!

1. Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt

Time Estimate: 1 hour
Supplies:

  • Scavenger hunt list (e.g., find a house with a snowman, lights shaped like candy canes, etc.)
  • Warm clothing

Instructions:

  1. Print this scavenger hunt or save the image to your photo gallery.
  2. Have fun exploring the 352, ensuring to respect private property.
  3. Share your photos with us! Tag us on Facebook or use #352today on your photos.

2. Salt Dough Ornaments

Time Estimate: 1.5-2 hours (plus drying time)
Supplies:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water
  • Cookie cutters
  • Acrylic paint
  • Ribbon

Instructions:

  1. Mix flour, salt, and water to form a dough.
  2. Roll out the dough and cut shapes using cookie cutters.
  3. Make a small hole at the top for hanging.
  4. Bake at 250°F for 2 hours or let air dry for 24-48 hours.
  5. Once dry, paint and decorate the ornaments. Add a ribbon for hanging.

3. Pinecone Christmas Trees

Time Estimate: 30-45 minutes
Supplies:

  • Pinecones
  • Green paint
  • Glitter and small pom-poms
  • Glue
  • Small star stickers

Instructions:

  1. Paint the pinecones green and let them dry.
  2. Decorate them with glitter and glue on pom-poms as ornaments.
  3. Top each pinecone tree with a star sticker.

Tip: Use the finished trees as table centerpieces or mantel decor.

4. Reindeer Food Mix

Time Estimate: 15 minutes
Supplies:

  • Oats
  • Colored sugar or edible glitter
  • Small plastic bags
  • Ribbon
  • Tags or labels

Instructions:

  1. Mix oats and glitter in a bowl.
  2. Scoop the mixture into small plastic bags.
  3. Tie the bags with ribbon and attach a tag that says, “Sprinkle this on your lawn on Christmas Eve to guide Santa’s reindeer!”

5. Paper Plate Snowman

Time Estimate: 30 minutes
Supplies:

  • Paper plates
  • Cotton balls
  • Glue
  • Markers
  • Colored paper
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Glue cotton balls all over two paper plates to make the snowman’s body and head.
  2. Cut and glue colored paper to create a hat, scarf, and carrot nose.
  3. Use markers to draw on a face and buttons.

Time Estimate: 1-2 hours
Supplies:

  • Sugar cookie dough (store-bought or homemade)
  • Cookie cutters
  • Icing and sprinkles

Instructions:

  1. Bake cookies using holiday-shaped cutters.
  2. Set up a decorating station with icing and sprinkles.
  3. Let your child’s creativity shine as they decorate the cookies.

Tip: Use this activity as a chance to teach kids about sharing by gifting cookies to neighbors or friends.

7. Santa Letter Station

Time Estimate: 30 minutes
Supplies:

  • Paper
  • Markers and crayons
  • Stickers

Instructions:

  1. Set up a space with supplies for writing and decorating letters to Santa.
  2. Help younger children write down their Christmas wishes.
  3. Mail the letters or place them in a special “Santa’s Mailbox” you create together.

8. DIY Christmas Countdown

Time Estimate: 1-2 hours
Supplies:

  • 12 small paper bags or envelopes
  • Number stickers or a marker
  • String and clothespins
  • Small treats or notes

Instructions:

  1. Decorate each bag or envelope with the numbers 1 through 12.
  2. Fill each one with a small treat, toy, or a kind note.
  3. Hang them on a string using clothespins.
  4. Let your child open one each day leading up to Christmas.

Tip: Write an activity suggestion (like baking cookies) inside some bags for added fun!

9. Handprint Reindeer Cards

Time Estimate: 30-45 minutes
Supplies:

  • Brown construction paper
  • Paint
  • Googly eyes
  • Red pom-poms
  • Glue

Instructions:

  1. Trace your child’s hand on brown paper and cut it out.
  2. Glue googly eyes and a red pom-pom nose to make a reindeer face.
  3. Add a holiday message on the back to turn it into a card.

10. Santa Countdown Chain

Time Estimate: 20 minutes
Supplies:

  • Red and white construction paper
  • Glue or a stapler
  • Markers

Instructions:

  1. Cut strips of paper and make them into interlocking loops to create a chain.
  2. Alternate red and white loops to resemble Santa’s suit.
  3. Each day, remove one link from the chain to count down to Christmas.

These activities are perfect for creating lasting memories with your children while building excitement for the big day. Pair them with our Santa Tracker to keep the holiday magic alive!