Free Outdoor Holiday Activities for Families

Cabin fever affects both kids and adults. It can get even worse around the holidays especially with the stress of shopping, decorating, and festivities. Get the kids, and yourself, out of the house this holiday season by finding free activities in your community.

Free Family Holiday Adventure: Check Your Local Churches

Every Christmas churches in our city host parties. Most of the time these activities are free or you can give a small donation. Our church even does a complete pancake breakfast with St. Nick for just a small, optional donation.

Free Family Holiday Adventure: Find a Hill

Snow only comes in winter so take advantage of it. Sled riding is fun and a nice break from the holiday bustle. Plus, a few hours outside may just tire the kids out.

Free Family Holiday Adventure: Christmas Lights

There's always that one street in a neighborhood where every house tries to outdo their neighbor. Take a drive and find that street. An hour of driving around looking at lights is relaxing and may just give you some new holiday decorating ideas. Stave off whining from the backseat by packing small bags of popcorn and juice boxes.

Free Family Holiday Adventure: Volunteer

This may seem a little more like work than fun for most parents but the kids really love to help out. We help stock a food pantry two weeks before Christmas. It takes about two hours and the kids work by sorting canned goods and donated food so it can be distributed.

Free Family Holiday Adventure: Walk the Mall

I admit, this is not one of my favorites but it works with younger children. Our mall has a small, indoor play area where the kids can run and blow off steam. The Christmas lights and decorations will put everyone in a good mood.

Free Family Holiday Adventure: Pull Out Your Craft Supplies

This isn't an outdoor activity yet (see below). Pull out your supply of paints, markers, glue, crayons and set up an area at home where your kids can be creative and a little messy. We use ribbons, glitter glue, and old gift bags to make cards, wrapping paper, and Christmas scenes. Even younger children can do this task with little assistance.

Free Family Holiday Adventure: Visit Your Neighborhood

Now that you have all these crafts and cards that your kids made you can distribute them to your neighbors. This will get you out of the house and a chance to visit with friends for a couple of minutes. If you don't know your neighbors that well then this is the perfect opportunity to get to know them.

Free Family Holiday Adventure: Hike the Woods

Even in the suburbs there are places to get back to nature. We live near an apple farm with a restaurant and the grounds are open all year for anyone who wants explore them.

A few hours out of the house is the cure for holiday stress. Your kids will enjoy the time spent together and your wallet will love the fact that it's free.