Christmas activities at home work best when they fit the time, energy and ages in your family. A ten-minute game on a Tuesday can be just as memorable as a whole afternoon of making things. Pick a few ideas you will enjoy, leave some evenings free and let the paper chains be a little wonky.
These 24 ideas focus on home and the local area, with options that need little or no extra shopping. Pick a handful or use them as activity notes in a reusable Advent calendar.
Choose by time and energy
| If you have… | Try… | Prepare beforehand |
|---|---|---|
| Ten quiet minutes | A Christmas memory, story or joke | One prompt or a familiar book |
| Half an hour | Paper decorations, cards or a scavenger hunt | Paper, pencils and a clear surface |
| A relaxed evening | A board game or home film night | Agree the choice before everyone settles down |
| A dry afternoon | A local decorations walk | A manageable route and suitable clothing |
| A busy week | One shared activity at the weekend | Permission to leave the other evenings free |
Low effort, lovely memories
What shall we do tonight?
No elaborate setup needed. Tap for an idea, or pick one from the list. Adapt materials and supervision to the children’s ages.
See all six ideas
- Ten minutes: each choose a Christmas song and say why you like it.
- Ten minutes: draw a tiny card for someone in the household.
- Fifteen minutes: make a paper chain from scrap paper with age-appropriate help.
- Ten minutes: write or draw a kind note for tomorrow’s Advent drawer.
- Fifteen minutes: read a winter story together and invent a new ending.
- Ten minutes: look through an old Christmas photo and tell its story.
Six ideas for short weekday evenings
1. Read a familiar story differently
Let each person choose a character voice or predict the next page. Use books you already own or borrow suitable titles from your local library. The shared attention matters more than buying a new Christmas book.
2. Make a family joke card
Write one joke on a folded card and leave it at breakfast. Rotate who supplies it. Younger children can draw the answer instead of writing it.
3. Ask one Christmas memory question
Try “What decoration do you remember from childhood?” or “What was the funniest thing that happened last December?” Record answers in a notebook if people are happy for you to do so.
4. Let someone choose three songs
Give each person a short turn choosing music. Keep the session small enough to finish before bedtime. A shared playlist can build gradually through the month.
5. Find the oldest decoration
Look for the ornament that has been in the family longest and tell its story. If you are starting from scratch, choose one simple decoration to date and keep for future years.
6. Draw tomorrow's Christmas creature
Invent a new reindeer, snowman or imaginary winter animal. Keep the drawing prompt open so different ages can join in without competing over who makes the neatest picture.
Six activities for a clear table and half an hour
7. Make paper chains
Use scrap paper or old wrapping paper that is still suitable for crafting. Adults can prepare strips for younger children. Hang finished decorations with an appropriate method, away from heat and electrical fittings.
8. Design place cards
Write guests' names or draw a small symbol for each person. Keep the cards readable and let children contribute at their own level. Our Christmas table ideas show how simple cards can be part of the setting.
9. Create an indoor scavenger hunt
Choose five familiar objects and write clues that match the youngest participant's abilities. Keep hiding places accessible and away from electrical equipment, cleaning products and fragile decorations. A drawing can replace a written clue.
10. Make a card for someone you know
Choose a real recipient and include a specific message. A card saying “Thank you for helping me learn to ride my bike” is more personal than a generic greeting copied several times.
11. Draw a family Christmas map
On a sheet of paper, sketch where the tree, cards and dinner table will go. Children can suggest ideas while adults keep the practical decisions manageable. Use the map to explain why doorways and everyday routes need to stay clear.
12. Write letters to Santa
Include something enjoyed this year, something to look forward to and a wish. You can keep the letters at home as a family activity. If you want to post them through a formal Santa-letter service, check its current address and deadline directly before promising a reply.
Six ideas for a relaxed afternoon or evening
13. Hold a home film night
Choose an age-appropriate film together before the evening starts. Use your existing viewing options and let one person arrange seats or make paper tickets. Keep the food and setup as simple as you need.
14. Play a short board game
Choose a game with a length everyone can manage. For mixed ages, pair an older player with a younger one. Agree when you will finish so the activity does not become an exhausted late-night competition.
15. Decorate one small area together
Give children a defined place to help, such as a low-risk display on a stable surface under supervision. Adults should handle electrical setup and fragile pieces. Let the result look like a family made it.
16. Create a Christmas radio show
Use a phone to record short interviews, weather reports from the North Pole or a made-up news bulletin. Ask before recording or sharing anyone. The recording can remain a private family keepsake.
17. Make a memory envelope
Each person adds a drawing or note about the year. Write the date on the envelope and store it with the decorations. Decide together whether to open it next Christmas or later.
18. Build a reading corner
Arrange cushions and a few books in a comfortable place. Keep fabrics away from heaters and lights, and leave the exit clear. This can be a quieter alternative when a busy festive day has become tiring.
Watch: Recycled-paper decorations with Rosie Johnson
Set aside a relaxed craft session for this recycled-paper decoration tutorial. The source lists a 60-minute session; read its materials list first and adapt the pace for your family. An adult should supervise scissors and any small craft pieces.
Video by Virtual Village Hall by Royal Voluntary Service. Watch on YouTube if the player does not load.
The player connects to YouTube when loaded. Playback starts only when you press play.
The 10Grains edit
Make a small corner part of the tradition
A letter-writing spot or a musical scene can become a familiar December ritual. These are decorations; follow the product instructions and supervise children.
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View product ↗Letters to Santa postbox
23W × 20.5D × 47Hcm
Fits A5 letters for your own family tradition. A decorative postbox, not a postal service.
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View product ↗Musical gingerbread house
17W × 17D × 22.5Hcm
A moving train and warm white lights; choose lights-only for a quieter evening.
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View product ↗Singing and dancing Santa
48L × 22W × 120Hcm
A sound- or touch-activated Santa for a playful indoor Christmas corner.
Photos are shown at equal size, not to physical scale. Styled photos include props. Check the product page for full specifications, power requirements and what is included.
Six activities with a purpose beyond entertainment
19. Take a local decorations walk
Pick a short, familiar route and look for colours or characters rather than judging whose house is “best”. Stay on public paths and respect privacy. Have a home-based alternative ready if the weather turns.
20. Sort a small donation together
Choose clean, suitable items and check what the local organisation currently accepts. Explain where the items will go without making children give away something meaningful under pressure.
21. Write a thank-you message
Think of someone who helped during the year. A teacher, neighbour, relative or friend may appreciate a specific sentence more than an elaborate gift. Decide how to deliver the message appropriately.
22. Interview a relative
Ask about a favourite meal, a memorable present or a tradition from their childhood. Keep the questions optional and the conversation relaxed. Families have different experiences of Christmas, and not every memory will be happy.
23. Share one manageable household job
Fold napkins, sort wrapping paper or tidy the games shelf together. Make the task short and age-appropriate. A shared activity can help prepare the home without becoming a performance.
24. Choose one tradition for next year
Ask everyone what they would repeat. You may discover that the favourite moment was the short walk or the joke cards, rather than the activity that took the most preparation.
Turn the ideas into an Advent countdown
Write chosen activities on small cards and place them in a reusable calendar. Put longer plans on days you are free, and keep spare cards for changes. You do not need a paid activity behind every drawer.
The Advent filler guide includes a 24-day example. If you want a decorative place to keep the notes, explore the Advent calendars and indoor accents, checking drawer dimensions and placement before choosing.
A quick final check
Ready when you are
Common questions
What can a family do at Christmas for free?
Read together, make cards from available paper, share memories, play existing games or take a local walk. Choose activities around what is already in the house rather than starting with a shopping list.
How do I plan activities for different ages?
Give everyone a version of the same task: younger children can draw while older children write clues or messages. Keep participation flexible and avoid activities that depend on everyone having the same attention span.
Do we need to do something every day?
No. A few enjoyable activities can be enough. A daily calendar can contain a simple message on busy days, leaving bigger plans for times when the household can enjoy them.
