10 Ideas for a Holiday Family Night Out

The holiday season makes a nice backdrop for family nights out. With tons of twinkling lights and festive decorations, pictures you take of your time together will have loads of holiday charm. During the long holiday season, do not forget to spend time with the ones you love the most. Try these 10 ideas for a holiday family night out.

Religious Celebrations

Depending on your religious preference, you could take your family to an inspirational event to commemorate the special season. Living mangers, candle lighting services and church services make nice evenings out with the family.

Light Displays

Instead of a chilly sleigh ride, take a comfy car ride to see neighborhood light displays. Arm kids with cameras to snap photos of their favorite lights and displays. Take a thermos of hot chocolate along with candy canes to enjoy during your trip. Do a little reconnaissance beforehand on your own to find neighborhoods that look safe and have lots of decorations.

Memorial Luminaries

If your family lost a loved one recently, check with local cemeteries or memorial gardens for holiday luminary times. Many large memorial gardens line their expansive driveways with luminaries in remembrance of loved ones. Peaceful looking and moving, a luminary drive is a nice way for your family to remember family members who died. Take a drive through a luminary display.

Visit Santa

What holiday family outing would be complete without a visit to see Santa? Even older children enjoy seeing the jolly old elf. Take some time to hand Santa a "list" of everyone nice and naughty in your home. This is particularly thrilling for kids who like Santa but may not agree to sit on his lap.

Candy Shops

A visit to a candy shop makes a fun, holiday family night out. Take your family to a candy shop you do not normally visit to make it more special. Let everyone sample a few pieces and select a tiny box of candy for themselves. If the candy shop offers this service, ask for a tour of the facility or to see the candy being made.

Holiday Plays

Check the newspaper to see when the local productions of holiday plays and ballets will be performed. The Nutcracker is a popular ballet that will expose children to some culture while entertaining them. Also, local elementary schools often have holiday plays. Check with your child's school to see what they may be offering.

Park Concerts

Lots of parks hold Christmas concertos during Christmas. Bundle up the family and pack blankets and a picnic to enjoy a concert in the park.

Christmas Caroling

Take your family caroling in your neighborhood. Rehearse a few songs with the family beforehand and carry along a portable CD player. Visit the homes of friends and family to do your Christmas caroling.

Toy Shopping

Remember the children who have less than yours this year. Take your family toy shopping for children that are on the "Toys for Tots" or "Christmas Angel Tree" list. Your family will feel good for helping others.

Soup Kitchens

Soup kitchens are often overwhelmed with people in need during the holidays. Sign your family up to volunteer in a kitchen. If you have small children, you may want to skip this activity. Older kids will enjoy having volunteered some of their holiday time with the family.