Top 10 Christmas Movies for Kids

Christmas is such a special time for kids and there is not better holiday season to get together as a family, snuggle on the couch with hot chocolate, and watch classic kids Christmas movies. There are some great comedy Christmas kids movies like Home Alone and Christmas Vacation that did not make my Top 10 Christmas Movies for Kids list, but are worth the mention. There are also some fantastic animated Christmas movies for kids like all the Mickey Mouse Christmas movies and all the Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas movies that are worth watching with the kids at Christmas.

There are some classic Christmas kids movies that have stood the test of time, became our universal name for snowmen and reindeer, and the more recent kids Christmas movies that have reinforced the magic and spirit of Christmas. Here is my list of the ultimate Top 10 Christmas Movies for Kids that are must see movies every Christmas:

A Christmas Story 1983

There is no better Christmas movie for kids than A Christmas Story if you want to laugh at all the goofy things your family members make you do for the Christmas holidays. I don't think there is another 1950's Christmas gift that every single little boy in America wanted, including my two big brothers, than their very own Red Ryder BB Gun.

A Christmas Story is a classic comedy about a little boy, Ralphie, who obsessively dreams about getting a Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. Ralphie's little brother Randy never talks but follows Ralphie everywhere. Ralphie's Mom is a stay-at-home loving Mom who will not let Ralphie have that BB Gun because he will shoot his eye out. The father is a proud working Dad who wins a "Major Award Leg Lamp" from his company, adorned with fish net hosiery and a frilly lampshade. Against the Mom's wishes, the Dad puts the prize leg lamp in the picture window at Christmas for all the neighbors to see and be jealous about.

Some movie trivia about A Christmas Story:

The Daisy BB Gun factory and the Daisy Airgun Museum that houses the actual leg lamp and Red Ryder BB Gun used in A Christmas Story are located in Rogers, Arkansas. The gorgeous Peter Billingsley, who played Ralphie in the 1983 movie A Christmas Story, has had a distinguished career in Hollywood, including his role as executive producer of Iron Man.

The house used in A Christmas Story has been restored and is now open for tours. You can also buy A Christmas Story gifts and movie memorabilia there. It is located at:

3159 W 11th St.
Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 298-4919

If you cannot make it to Ohio, check out the online store to get your favorite funny memorabilia from the hilarious classic kids Christmas movie: A Christmas Story.

The Very First Noel 2006

The Very First Noel is the best kids animated Christmas movie for telling the Bible story of the birth of Jesus and the Three Wise Men. Andy Griffith narrates the reverent story about the giving people who let Joseph and Mary stay in the stable for the birth of their baby Jesus. The wonderful kids Christmas movie, The Very First Noel, also has some of the best Christmas music of all kids Christmas movies. It is the perfect movie to introduce your children to the story of the real meaning of Christmas, the birthday of Christ.

A Charlie Brown Christmas 1965

What family has not had their very own "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree"? The classic kids Christmas movie, A Charlie Brown Christmas teaches us to appreciate the Christmas spirit even if we don't have the best of everything that costs money. In this bad economy when families are struggling to pay the bills and pay for health care, it would be a good time to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas with your kids and remind them that sometimes you have to search deep for the true meaning of Christmas.

Babes in Toyland 1961

The Disney Christmas classic kids movies, Babes in Toyland, was nominated for 2 Oscars in 1961. This kids Christmas movie stars my favorite Mickey Mouse Club member, Annette Funicello as Mary Contrary and Mary Poppins' Ed Wynn as the Toymaker. Ray Bolger, the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz plays Barnaby. Tommy Sands plays Tom Piper. Babes in Toyland is the delightful love story of Mary Contrary and Tom Piper. The music is excellent, the story is magic, and your kids will enjoy this timeless Christmas movie.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol 1962

This classic Christmas movie for kids is a cartoon based on the famous Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol. This animated Christmas movie for kids was the first time I saw the timeless Dickens' A Christmas Carol complete with Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Past, Tiny Tim, and the Ghost of Christmas Present. There is no better Christmas movie for kids to teach them that we must give to others at Christmas.

Miracle on 34^th Street 1947

If you do not believe in Santa Claus, you need to watch this classic Christmas kids movie, Miracle on 34^th Street, otherwise known as the Macy's Christmas movie. Two of my favorite actors, Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood star in this timeless Christmas kids movie that has made children believe in Santa Claus for six decades.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas 2000

Ron Howard made the kids Christmas movie, How The Grinch Stole Christmas based on the beloved Dr. Seuss book and the 1966 television Christmas cartoon movie. The kids Christmas movie teaches your children that you just cannot take away the spirit of Christmas no matter how hard you try.

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 1964

I remember getting the recording of Gene Autry singing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for a Christmas present when I was a little girl. Not only is the Christmas song a classic, but also the kids Christmas movie, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, that has been seen by kids since 1964. This is a classic kids Christmas movie to teach kids not to bully people that are a little different. Thank goodness Rudolph saved the day when Santa could not deliver presents because of fog!

Frosty The Snowman 1969

It is not often you will cry while watching a Christmas movie for kids, but I cried the first time I saw Frosty the Snowman melt away. Nevertheless, the classic kids Christmas movie, Frosty the Snowman remains a favorite Christmas movie and song. If you live in areas where it snows, all of your snowmen you build with your children are named Frosty. If you live where it doesn't snow, you wish you could build a Frosty the Snowman.Frosty the Snowman is a phenomenal story with a phenomenal association to all snowmen that will live on for the rest of time. Gene Autry also made the song Frosty the Snowman popular.

The Polar Express 2004

The Polar Express is quickly becoming one of the great classics for kids Christmas movies. Every kid now thinks about riding the magical train to the North Pole to see Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. The Polar Express is a perfect kids Christmas movie that teaches kids to explore who they really are deep inside. Along the path to the North Pole and back, a young boy discovers he can be a hero.

Merry Christmas to everyone who believes in Christmas!