Christmas Holiday Activities for Kids: 50 Ideas at Home and Out

October 7, 2026

Christmas 2026 key dates (UK)

Black Friday: Friday 27 November
Advent Sunday: 29 November
Christmas Day: Friday 25 December
Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December (bank holiday Monday 28 December)
Last posting dates: Royal Mail usually recommends mid December for second class and a few days later for first class. Check Royal Mail for this year's exact dates.

The Christmas holidays are long, especially the strange days between Christmas and New Year.

Here are 50 ideas, from crafts to days out, many of them free.

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Festive crafts

Paper snowflakes
Salt dough decorations
Homemade Christmas cards
Pine cone reindeer
Paper chains
Gift tags from old cards

Baking

Gingerbread people
Mince pies
Chocolate crispy cakes
Decorate biscuits
Reindeer food (oats and sprinkles; skip glitter for wildlife)

Days out

A Christmas light trail
A pantomime
Ice skating
A Christmas market
Visit Santa. Hamleys Christmas Grotto: https://tidd.ly/4rJGYPQ
A winter woodland walk

Between Christmas and New Year

Build new toys together
A family games tournament. Ideas: Christmas games
Write thank-you cards
Christmas quiz. Questions: Christmas quiz questions
A pyjama film day
A kids' New Year's Eve countdown at midday

Key things to remember

Plan one small outing every couple of days to break up screen time.
Keep a jar of activity ideas for 'I'm bored' moments. Read more

Frequently asked questions

What can kids do over the Christmas holidays?

Crafts, baking, light trails, pantomimes, games and winter walks.

What are free Christmas activities for kids?

Light trails in your neighbourhood, crafts, baking, woodland walks and games.

What is a good example of christmas holiday activities for kids?

"Salt dough decorations" is one of 23 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

Can I copy these messages word for word?

Yes. Everything on this page is free to copy, print and read out - no permission or credit needed. Changing one detail so it fits the person is all we would suggest.

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