Now that the Christmas season is upon us, it’s time to start thinking about how we want to spend this magical time with our families!
Before you freak out on me and scold me for suggesting you add one more thing to your already overflowing plate, I want to say something.
It’s absolutely okay if all you do this holiday season is survive.
Seriously. You don’t have to plan elaborate activities, create picture-perfect memories, or fill every day with Christmas magic.
However, if you’re a mom or dad looking for a few fun and simple ways to add a little extra magic to your family’s holiday season, I’ve got you covered!
I put together this simple Christmas bucket list for families with 15 fun activities you can enjoy together.
The best part? Most of these Christmas activities are inexpensive, and some are completely free!
There are only 15 items on this Christmas bucket list, so it shouldn’t feel too overwhelming. But if you’re looking for even more Christmas fun, I’ve included 10 bonus ideas below!
What Is the Point of a Christmas Bucket List?
You know how time seems to pass us by without a second thought?
There’s always something that needs to get done. Between work, school, housework, shopping, and everything else on our never-ending to-do lists, sometimes the fun things get pushed aside.
That’s where a Christmas bucket list comes in!
When we create a bucket list, we’re making a little space for the things we actually want to do together.
We can print it out, hang it on the refrigerator, and check off activities as we go.
It’s a simple reminder to slow down, enjoy the season, and make a few memories along the way.
And here’s the thing about creating Christmas magic for your kids: it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
You can stream a Christmas movie, read a favorite holiday book you already own, or pile everyone into the car and drive around looking at Christmas lights.
Some of the simplest traditions end up being the ones our children remember the most.
Having a few fun Christmas traditions to look forward to as a family is a wonderful way to sprinkle a little extra magic into the holiday season.
15 Fun and Simple Christmas Bucket List Ideas for Families
I wanted to keep our Christmas bucket list fairly simple and inexpensive.
I’ve included several activities that our kids love doing and others that most families can enjoy without breaking the bank.
Let’s face it. The holiday season can already be stressful on the wallet. Adding extra activities just for the sake of having fun shouldn’t feel like another financial burden.
Nobody wants that!
Here are the 15 activities included in our printable Christmas bucket list.
1. Have a Hot Cocoa Bar
Set up a simple hot cocoa bar with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and your family’s favorite toppings. You don’t need anything fancy! A few mugs of hot chocolate and a cozy Christmas movie make for a wonderful evening.
2. Build a Snowman
No snow? You can always make a snowman craft indoors instead!
3. Look at Christmas Lights
One of our favorite inexpensive Christmas traditions is driving around town looking at Christmas lights.
Turn on some Christmas music, bring along hot cocoa, and enjoy all the beautiful decorations.
4. Visit a Christmas Farm
Find a local Christmas tree farm or holiday farm event to visit with your family. Some farms offer festive activities, photo opportunities, and other Christmas fun.
5. Watch a Christmas Movie
Pick out a favorite Christmas movie, grab some blankets, make popcorn, and enjoy a cozy family movie night.
6. Bake Christmas Cookies
Spend an afternoon baking Christmas cookies together. Let the kids help mix the dough, cut out shapes, and decorate with icing and sprinkles.
They might not turn out picture-perfect, but that’s part of the fun!
7. Make Gingerbread Houses
You can use a gingerbread house kit or make simple houses using graham crackers and frosting.
Let everyone decorate their own creation!
8. Design Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Get creative and design your own ugly Christmas sweaters! You can decorate old sweaters or use paper sweater templates for a less expensive activity.
9. Make Paper Snowflakes
Remember making paper snowflakes as a kid?
This is such a simple Christmas activity, and all you really need is paper and scissors.
Hang your finished snowflakes in the windows for some homemade winter decorations.
10. Make a DIY Snow Globe
Create a homemade snow globe using a jar and a few craft supplies. This is a fun winter craft that kids can display throughout the Christmas season.
11. Make Homemade Christmas Ornaments
Homemade ornaments are one of my favorite Christmas keepsakes.
You can make ornaments using salt dough, paper, popsicle sticks, or whatever craft supplies you already have at home.
12. Make Christmas Cards for Friends and Family
Pull out the crayons, markers, stickers, and construction paper, and let the kids create homemade Christmas cards.
These make sweet little gifts for grandparents, friends, teachers, and other loved ones.
13. Make Reindeer Food
Mix together some oats and Christmas-colored edible decorations to make a little reindeer food.
On Christmas Eve, the kids can sprinkle it outside for Santa’s reindeer. Be sure to use wildlife-safe ingredients and skip the plastic glitter!
14. Create a Care Package
Christmas is a wonderful time to teach our children about kindness and giving.
Put together a care package for someone who could use a little extra encouragement this holiday season.
It doesn’t have to be expensive. Sometimes a handwritten note and a few thoughtful items can mean so much.
15. Listen to Christmas Music
This one might be the easiest activity on the entire list!
Turn on your favorite Christmas songs while you decorate, bake cookies, clean the house, or simply spend time together.
Have a family Christmas dance party if you’re feeling extra festive!
10 More Christmas Bucket List Ideas for Kids and Families
Want even more ideas to add to your family’s Christmas bucket list?
Here are 10 additional activities that we enjoy!
- Build an igloo – If you have enough snow, try making a little snow fort or igloo together.
- Make snow cream – Turn fresh, clean snow into a fun winter treat using a family-friendly recipe.
- Visit a Christmas tree lighting – Check your town’s calendar for a local tree-lighting celebration.
- Have a gingerbread house competition – Let everyone decorate a gingerbread house and vote on their favorites.
- Play Christmas Bingo – A simple Christmas game that’s perfect for family game night.
- Make cinnamon ornaments – These homemade ornaments smell wonderful and make sweet keepsakes.
- Read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas – Snuggle up and enjoy this classic Christmas story.
- Write a letter to Santa – Let the kids share their Christmas wishes with Santa.
- Make a Christmas wreath – Use inexpensive craft supplies to create your own holiday decorations.
- Make a Christmas countdown garland – Create a paper chain and remove one link each day as Christmas gets closer.
With the 15 activities on the printable bucket list and these 10 bonus ideas, that’s 25 fun things to do during the Christmas season!
You could even turn it into your own 25 Days of Christmas challenge.
Choose one activity each day leading up to Christmas, or group a few together whenever you have extra time.
And remember, you don’t have to complete every single activity.
The whole point is to enjoy the season together, not create another to-do list that stresses you out!
Download Your Free Printable Christmas Bucket List
Ready to get started making some Christmas memories?
Print out your Christmas bucket list and hang it somewhere your family can easily see it.
You can keep it on the refrigerator, add it to your family command center, or place it somewhere the kids can check off activities as you complete them.
Remember, the goal isn’t to do everything. It’s to make time for the little moments that make the Christmas season special.
Whether you check off all 15 activities or only manage a few, I hope this Christmas bucket list helps your family slow down and enjoy a little extra holiday magic.
More Fun Christmas and Winter Activities for Kids
Looking for even more fun ways to keep your kids busy this holiday season?
I’m putting together a Christmas activity hub filled with free printables, simple Christmas crafts, and other fun holiday activities for families.
In the meantime, check out these activities:
- Winter Word Scramble Freebie
- Wintertime Math Activity Pack for Kids
- Winter Math Worksheet Packet
- Christmas Activity Worksheet Pack
- Salt Snow Craft for Kids
You can also follow The Peaceful Nest on Teachers Pay Teachers for more fun educational activities and printables!
Make Christmas Memories Without the Stress
At the end of the day, our kids don’t need a perfectly planned Christmas season.
They don’t need us to spend a fortune on activities or create elaborate traditions that leave us exhausted.
Sometimes Christmas magic is as simple as drinking hot cocoa in your pajamas, looking at Christmas lights, or making a messy batch of cookies together.
Those little moments matter.
So grab your free printable Christmas bucket list, choose a few activities that sound fun, and enjoy the season with your family.
What’s your family’s favorite Christmas tradition? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear what you would add to this Christmas bucket list.
