Christmas Activities for Kids

The wonderful thing about Christmas is that people seem to really come together. They go out of their way to help strangers. Christmas is a magical season, especially for children; however, the age of wonderment quickly fades. Here are some ways to keep the fun and fantasy alive.

1. Reindeer Food - As a child, I always left cookies for Santa and also a carrot for Rudolph, but what about the other eight in Santa's team? Making reindeer food is an easy activity, and it can be geared for children of all ages. First, decorate lunch sized brown paper bags. You can decorate them with stickers and markers, or you can use pom poms, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes to make reindeer faces. Be creative! Next, let the children put oats (about a cup is good) and some glitter inside the bag. Fold the bag and seal it. On Christmas Eve, let your child sprinkle the treat on your yard.

2. Decorate Stockings - Stockings can be as easy or as difficult as you want to make them. You can try making your own with felt and thread; however, premade, undecorated, stockings can be purchased at the craft store for about a dollar each. Decorate with sequins, glitter pens, and fake gemstones. You can even find precut foam shapes that can be pieced together to make Santas, trees, and snowmen.

3. Bake Christmas Cookies - Even if you are not normally a baker, it has become much easier to make cookies with your kids. Pilsbury makes simple sugar cookie and gingerbread doughs. All you have to do is roll it out, cut with cookie cutters, put it on a cookie sheet, and bake. If you want to get really crazy, embellish with sprinkles and/or icing. If you are particularly crafty, you can even try your hand at making a gingerbread house. Pilsbury makes these easy too.

4. Tree Trimming Party - Decorating the tree with old standards like cranberries and nuts is fun, but it can be a little out dated. Try stringing gum drops and popcorn. Also have the children make and decorate ornaments. Paint pens work great on glass balls. They can also decorate blown eggs.

5. Make a Christmas Calendar - It can be in the shape of a tree, a snowman, or even a Santa. Place twenty-four small pockets on the calendar, one for each day before Christmas. Place a candy or a small favor in each pocket and let your child have one each night at bedtime.