Cheap Christmas Activities for Youth Groups

When it's Christmastime again, you know what that means for your youth group. Teens are on winter break, out of school and probably bored. So what can you do as their youth group leader that is both fun and cheap? Here are some fun, creative and most importantly cheap Christmas activities for your youth group to do.

Hot Cocoa Party

Invite your youth group members over for some hot chocolate and board games, an irresistible combination. You can buy some inexpensive, instant cocoa at any grocery store or go online and learn how to make some really great homemade cocoa. Ask around at church because someone might already have a tried-and-true recipe that will knock your kids socks off. Splurge on a bag of marshmallows and maybe some cookies and you're good to go!

Take a Walk in Winter Wonderland

No matter where you live, there is sure to be one of those famous neighborhoods where everybody decks out their house in true Christmas fashion. Meet up with your teens at church, then head out to this local Winter Wonderland. Once you're close, get out of the church van and hoof it the rest of the way. Your kids will have a blast walking around surrounded by bright Christmas lights. For extra fun, see if you can get them to sing some Christmas carols to unsuspecting pedestrians. Be sure to bring some hot coffee in thermoses if you can, cause it's sure to get cold while you're walking around outside.

Watch a Classic Christmas Movie

Christmas movies are great for youth groups because they're usually family-friendly and safe to show in a church setting. Try something fun like Elf, or a classic like It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story. Pop some buttery popcorn and you'll have all the makings of a memorable Christmas youth group movie night.

Give to the Less Fortunate

Have each of your youth group members chip in a dollar or two then head over to your local mall and find the Giving Tree. The Giving Tree is found in almost every community and helps gets Christmas gift to kids and families who might not otherwise see any presents under the tree. Grab a gift tag or two, depending on how much money you've collected, then break up into groups and go Christmas shopping! To get more bang for your buck, take your kids to a discount retailer like Walmart or Target. This is a great activity to tie in with the "It is better to give than to receive" lesson that is sometimes difficult for teenagers to grasp.

However you choose to spend time at Christmas with the kids in your youth group, remember that you're creating lasting memories and lifelong relationships.