Fun Things To Do In December With The Family

December is here, wrapping us up in its cozy chill and festive vibes! Prepare for a whirlwind of holiday happenings and family traditions that make this month a blast. As you make Christmas plans and discover the joy of seasonal entertainment, make sure you incorporate some outdoor winter fun.

If you crave quality time with loved ones, December activities can also be about merriment and togetherness. So, gear up for some festive outings and make memories that’ll warm your heart all winter!

Fun Things To Do In December With The Family – 80 Great Ideas

This holiday season, there are plenty of different ways to create holiday spirit while enjoying some of your favorite things. Whether you want to put up your Christmas tree earlier than usual, make a gingerbread house, join a Christmas carol group, or go ice skating with the kids, I can guarantee your calendar will keep you busy and smiling.

Here are 50 ideas for things to do with kids in December:

Decorate the Christmas Tree: Engages creativity and fosters a festive atmosphere.
Write Letters to Santa: Encourages writing skills and adds excitement about Christmas.
Bake Holiday Cookies: Teaches basic cooking skills and provides delicious treats.
Make DIY Ornaments: Enhances creativity and creates personalized decorations.
Visit a Winter Wonderland Display: Instills a sense of wonder and amazement.
Go Ice Skating: Provides exercise and embraces the winter season.
Attend a Holiday Parade: Builds community spirit and offers entertainment.
Read Holiday Books: Fosters a love for reading and introduces holiday traditions.
Watch Holiday Movies: Creates a cozy family atmosphere and promotes relaxation.
Build a Gingerbread House: Encourages teamwork and creativity.
Attend a Local Tree Lighting Ceremony: Builds community bonds and spreads joy.
Donate Toys to Charity: Instills the value of giving and helps those in need.
Host a Family Game Night: Promotes family bonding and friendly competition.
Go on a Winter Nature Hike: Explores the beauty of winter landscapes.
Have a Hot Chocolate Night: Offers a warm, comforting treat during cold weather.
Create Handmade Gifts: Teaches the importance of thoughtful gestures.
Visit a Christmas Market: Explores unique crafts and holiday treats.
Have a Snowball Fight: Provides outdoor fun and exercise.
Make a DIY Advent Calendar: Builds anticipation for the holiday season.
Take a Holiday Lights Tour: Admires festive decorations in the neighborhood.
Host a Holiday Sing-Along: Encourages musical expression and joy.
Go Sledding: Provides outdoor excitement and physical activity.
Create a Family Scrapbook: Captures memories from the year.
Attend a Nutcracker Ballet: Introduces children to the arts and culture.
Write Gratitude Letters: Promotes a sense of thankfulness during the holiday season.
Visit Santa Claus: Creates magical memories and captures holiday wishes.
Make Paper Snowflakes: Enhances fine motor skills and creativity.
Go Indoor Rock Climbing: Provides a fun and active indoor experience.
Volunteer as a Family: Teaches the importance of helping others.
Have a Pajama Day: Promotes relaxation and family togetherness.
Create a Winter-themed Craft Station: Allows for ongoing creative expression.
Build a Snowman: Classic winter fun that encourages outdoor play.
Attend a Christmas Play: Introduces children to live performances.
Decorate Stockings: Adds a personal touch to holiday decorations.
Host a Cookie Decorating Party: Combines socializing with creative expression.
Go Caroling in the Neighborhood: Spreads holiday cheer to neighbors.
Set Up a DIY Hot Cocoa Bar: Adds a customizable touch to a favorite winter drink.
Visit a Local Museum: Provides educational entertainment during the winter break.
Make Reindeer Food: Sparks imagination and adds to Christmas Eve traditions.
Have a Winter Picnic: Combines outdoor fun with a cozy meal.
Create a Winter-themed Scavenger Hunt: Adds excitement to outdoor activities.
Host a Movie Marathon: Allows for a day of relaxation and entertainment.
Go on a Sleigh Ride: Offers a festive and memorable experience.
Make Holiday Cards for Loved Ones: Expresses creativity while spreading joy.
Host a DIY Gift Wrapping Party: Turns a chore into a fun, creative activity.
Visit a Local Skating Rink: Enjoy a classic winter activity in a controlled environment.
Create a Family Time Capsule: Reflects on the past year and looks forward to the next.
Attend a Holiday Workshop or Craft Fair: Participate in hands-on activities and support local artisans.
Have a Family Photo Shoot: Capture memories with a festive backdrop.
Plan a New Year’s Eve Countdown: Celebrate the end of the year together with a mini countdown and festivities.

These activities provide a mix of festive, creative, and educational experiences for families to enjoy during the holiday season.

What local holiday events should a family look out for in their town?

Local holiday events can add a wonderful touch of festivity and community spirit to the season. Here are some common types of events that families might find in their town:

Tree Lighting Ceremony: Many towns have a ceremony to light the community Christmas tree, often featuring caroling, hot cocoa, and a visit from Santa.
Holiday Parades: Festive parades with decorated floats, marching bands, and sometimes even a Santa Claus appearance.
Christmas Markets: Local artisans and vendors come together to offer handmade crafts, treats, and unique gifts.
Winter Festivals: Events that celebrate the winter season with activities like ice sculptures, sleigh rides, and winter sports.
Live Nativity Scenes: Some communities organize live reenactments of the Nativity story, providing a meaningful and traditional experience.
Holiday Concerts: Local schools, churches, or community centers often host concerts featuring holiday music and performances.
Light Displays: Check for neighborhoods that go all out with holiday light displays, turning streets into dazzling winter wonderlands.
Community Caroling Nights: Gatherings where locals come together to sing Christmas carols, spreading cheer throughout the neighborhood.
Theater Productions: Local theaters may put on special holiday-themed plays or performances suitable for families.
Santa’s Workshop or Grotto: Visit places where children can meet Santa, share their wish lists, and sometimes participate in festive activities.
Winter Carnivals: Events with games, rides, and seasonal treats that appeal to both kids and adults.
Holiday Movie Nights: Some communities organize outdoor or indoor screenings of classic holiday movies.
Cookie Decorating Contests: Participate in or attend local contests where families showcase their cookie decorating skills.
Charity Events: Look out for opportunities to participate in local charity drives, toy collections, or volunteer events to spread holiday cheer.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations: Check if there are family-friendly New Year’s Eve events with fireworks, countdowns, and activities.

Families can keep an eye on local community boards, town websites, social media groups, and local newspapers to find out about these events. These events provide entertainment and a chance to connect with neighbors and build a sense of community during the holiday season.

Top Ten Cold Weather Outdoor Adventures For Children

Snowman Building Contest: Let creativity abound as kids compete to build the most unique and imaginative snowmen. This activity promotes teamwork and outdoor play.
Sledding Extravaganza: Find the best local hills for sledding and let the kids race down the slopes. Sledding is a thrilling and classic winter adventure that never gets old.
Winter Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of winter-themed items for the kids to find in the snow, such as pinecones, icicles, or animal tracks. This activity combines exploration with a sense of adventure.
Ice Skating Fun: Visit a local outdoor ice skating rink. Skating is not only great exercise but also a skill that kids can enjoy learning and improving upon.
Snowball Target Practice: Set up targets in the snow and let the kids practice their aim with snowballs. This activity encourages accuracy and outdoor activity.
Nature I Spy: Take a winter hike and play a nature-themed “I Spy” game. Encourage kids to observe and identify different winter elements, fostering an appreciation for the natural world.
Winter Picnic: Pack some warm drinks and snacks, bundle up, and have a picnic in a snowy park. This combines outdoor fun with the coziness of a winter meal.
Frozen Bubble Play: Blow bubbles and watch them freeze in the cold air. It’s a magical and scientific experience that adds an element of wonder to winter outdoor play.
Animal Tracking Adventure: Look for animal tracks in the snow and teach kids about the different creatures that inhabit the winter landscape. It’s an educational and exciting outdoor activity.
Campfire Storytelling: Set up a small, controlled campfire and gather around with warm blankets. Tell winter-themed stories or even roast marshmallows for a delightful outdoor adventure.

These cold-weather outdoor adventures not only embrace the magic of winter but also encourage physical activity, creativity, and a connection with the natural world. Always ensure children are appropriately dressed for the weather and supervised during these outdoor activities.

What can you expect while visiting holiday markets or a Christmas village?

Visiting holiday markets is a delightful experience that immerses you in the festive spirit and offers a unique shopping adventure. As you wander through the lively stalls adorned with festive lights and colorful decorations, expect an array of handcrafted treasures, artisanal goods, and delectable treats.

From locally made ornaments and festive decor to handmade crafts and unique gifts, holiday markets showcase the creativity and talents of local artisans. Expect seasonal treats like roasted nuts, spiced cider, and freshly baked goods, inviting you to indulge in the season’s flavors. You might come across tree lightings, fire pits, an ice rink, or various holiday shows. It’s the perfect way to spend winter nights without plans.

Musicians may serenade visitors, adding a melodic backdrop to the cheerful atmosphere. Beyond shopping, these markets often feature entertainment, from live performances to visits from Santa Claus. Overall, visiting a holiday market promises a great time for all. Be sure to take your time as you visit the food vendors and check out the schedule for the family-friendly activities.

How can I make seeing my town’s Christmas lights fun for the kids?

It’s so much fun to drive around town and find the best Christmas light displays from your local neighbors. Transforming a simple stroll into an exciting and interactive experience ensures that the kids witness the festive brilliance and actively engage with the holiday magic. To infuse more of the spirit of the season, consider these five ideas:

Scavenger Hunt Spectacle: Turn the expedition into a festive scavenger hunt by creating a list of holiday-themed items for the kids to spot among the twinkling lights. Whether it’s finding a glowing snowman or locating a house adorned with a giant bow, this activity adds an element of excitement and discovery to the Christmas lights tour.
Jingle Bell Jam: Equip the kids with jingle bells or small musical instruments and encourage them to create a synchronized jingle bell concert as they walk along the illuminated streets. Not only does this turn the experience into a musical celebration, but it also adds a playful and rhythmic dimension to the festive atmosphere.
Magic Glasses Marvel: Invest in festive-themed 3D glasses that turn ordinary lights into holiday shapes like snowflakes or reindeer. Watching the lights through these magical lenses transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, creating a whimsical experience that the kids will find utterly enchanting.
Storytime Under the Stars: Bring along a festive storybook and pause at different illuminated spots to read a page or two. This adds a cozy and enchanting element to the Christmas lights tour, creating a magical storytime adventure under the sparkling night sky.
Hot Cocoa Pit Stops: Plan strategic pit stops along the route to enjoy some delicious hot cocoa. Pack a thermos, disposable cups, and marshmallows, and pause at key locations to savor this winter treat. It not only keeps everyone warm but also adds a cozy and comforting aspect to the evening.

You could even create a few Christmas parades of your own. Come up with themes as you walk through town. Maybe one day you can all dress up as Charles Dickens characters! Or mom could take a stroll looking like Mrs. Claus. So fun! Get the entire family involved.

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Consider some of the winter activities listed above as you carve out your holiday celebrations and curate a new annual tradition. There are so many great things to do and NOW is the perfect time to get started.