Are you staying home this holiday season but still want to do some festive activities? Keep scrolling for a totally do-able Christmas Bucket List for families that your kids will love!
This Christmas bucket list for families was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
A Holiday Season Bucket List for families can create long-lasting memories for years to come.
With the holidays right around the corner, there is no better time than the present to start creating your Christmas Bucket list.
Planning your Christmas Season Bucket list can be a fun experience. Especially if you involve the entire family in the planning process.
So gather some writing materials, sit down, and create a fun Christmas Bucket list together.
What is a Holiday Season Bucket List?
A Holiday Season Bucket List can be as long or as short as you desire. It is an itemized list of goals or activities you wish to achieve over the holidays.
A Christmas Bucket List can help you create long-lasting memories and traditions that the entire family can enjoy.
A Holiday Bucket List can have almost anything you desire on it. It can range from something super simple to intricate.
Remember that the key to making this more enjoyable is to have all family members involved.
Creating your bucket list for the holidays can also help you to get into the festive spirit. So, get creative and enjoy the process.
Indoor Christmas Bucket List Ideas for Families
While you can absolutely choose your own indoor items to add to your Christmas Bucket List, there are a few ideas that can give you some inspiration. Choose the items that work best for your family.
Decorate a Gingerbread House
Get a store-bought kit, or make your own gingerbread and decorate a house. This is a festive Christmas Bucket List idea that is sure to be enjoyable and delicious.
If you want to get even more creative, make it into a competition where each family member decorates their own house. The winner gets to choose the next activity.
Write and Mail Letters to Santa
Sit down as a family and write letters to Santa together. Check out How to Write a Letter to Santa Claus and download some FREE Christmas Printables to make sure your family’s letters are the best ever this year.
For parents, the letter may be a great idea to know what your kids truly desire. Just take a peek at their letters, and maybe there’s a gift idea or two in there!
Watch Christmas Movies
Watching Christmas Movies is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Get cozy with some snacks and comfy warm jammies, and settle in to watch your favorites.
My kids are HUGE fans of the Christmas Chronicles movies on Netflix, as well as modern classics like Elf.
You can prepare some tissues at the side because these movies are truly moving. These movies will surely make you want to hug your little ones as the credits roll!
Whether you choose to watch Holiday classics, new movies, or a mixture of both, you are sure to have a cozy day together.
Make DIY Christmas Ornaments
Make your Christmas tree even more festive by making your own ornaments as a family. In fact, you can make this a new tradition that you participate in every year.
DIY Reindeer Ornaments with Wood Slices make for an amazing addition to any Christmas tree. Making your own ornaments is a great item to add to your Christmas bucket list this year.
Make Your Own Christmas Countdown
Counting down the days until Christmas is a fantastic way to get into the spirit of the Christmas season. Make your own Christmas Countdown with your family.
You can add virtually anything to it that helps get your family excited for the Holidays. This is a great way to create long-lasting memories with those you love.
Get a Picture with Santa
While this tradition normally applies to just the kids, consider getting a family photo with Santa this year.
Head to your local mall and get a cute snapshot with Santa Claus. This can also double as your Christmas Card photo.
Sometimes, there are even other options. We took photos with the Grinch last year!
Make Christmas Paper Crafts
When the weather outside is frightful, stay indoors and make some crafts. Crafting together as a family can be such a fun and memorable experience.
Cutting pieces of colored paper, coloring, and gluing things together can also help develop your kids’ motor skills.
You can even use some of the crafts you make as Christmas gifts to give to neighbors, teachers, and more.
There are several different Christmas Paper Crafts that you can make to make the season bright.
Do Some Christmas Baking
Baking as a family can be such a fun experience for everyone involved. Make your favorite Christmas cookies and decorate them together.
You can even have everyone choose their own favorite recipe and have a Christmas Bake Off. It’s fun to have a bit of friendly competition and, in the end, lots of delicious baked goodies.
No matter what you choose, Santa is sure to enjoy the treats on Christmas Eve.
Have a Christmas Party
Nothing gets people into the Christmas spirit quite like a fun Christmas Party. Choose a theme and host a party with friends or family to welcome the season of giving.
It’s one of the best ways to bond over food, music, and games!
An Ugly Christmas sweater party is always a blast and will create memories that last forever. Just remember to take plenty of photos.
Make a Christmas Playlist
Gather together as a family and create a Christmas Playlist with songs that everyone enjoys. Then, have a Christmas dance party in the living room.
Whether you choose Christmas classics or newer releases, your Christmas Playlist will give you plenty of fun songs to choose from and dance to.
Make Hot Chocolate
The Christmas season isn’t complete without sipping some delicious hot chocolate. There are many fun variations of hot chocolate that you can make.
You could even set up a hot cocoa bar. Include items like festive creamers, sprinkles, candy canes, etc.
No matter what you choose, don’t forget the marshmallows and whipped cream.
Wear Matching Christmas Jammies
Family Christmas Jammies make for a festive experience. Put on your favorite matching Christmas pajamas and make a day out of it.
Whether you settle in by the fire and snuggle or take fun Christmas photos, you are sure to make memories.
Do a Random Act of Kindness
A random act of kindness is a great way to make someone else’s Christmas season bright and merry. This is also a great way to teach your kids how to spread Christmas cheer to others.
Whether you donate food to a family in need, pay for someone’s food in the drive-thru, or volunteer at a soup kitchen, the Christmas spirit will be instantly instilled within your family.
Make an Indoor Winter Wonderland
Decorating for Christmas can be such a fun experience when everyone is involved. This year, why not create an indoor winter wonderland?
Gather up as many decorations as you can. From lights to table decor, to trees and pillow coverings, you can make your home look super festive.
You can even get mini faux Christmas trees the kids can decorate in their rooms!
Go to a Christmas Concert
Check your local listings for Christmas Concerts near you, and go enjoy one with the entire family.
Whether you are taking in some beautiful Christmas music or watching a play, a Christmas Concert is a great way to enjoy the holiday season.
Outdoor Christmas Bucket List Ideas for Families
There are several activities you can do outdoors this holiday season.
No matter where you live or what the weather is like, there are always outdoor experiences to enjoy. Add some fun outdoor adventures to your Christmas Bucket list this year.
Go Ice Skating
Ice skating is a great way to spend time with your family. Whether you are learning together or avid skaters, you are sure to enjoy your time on the rink.
If you don’t have skates, many rinks offer rentals. Bundle up, bring some hot chocolate, and hit the ice.
Attend a Tree Lighting Ceremony
Many different cities and towns offer tree-lighting ceremonies. Attending a local Christmas tree lighting ceremony can be a fun way to engage in your community and enjoy the holiday spirit.
Get dressed up in your warmest clothing, drink lots of hot choco, and enjoy the beauty of a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
Read more: 5 Seattle Christmas Activities to Add to Your Family Winter Traditions.
Go Tobogganing or Tubing
Tobogganing is a great way to celebrate the holidays. If you live in an area that gets enough snow, you can have a blast locally. Grab your sled and head to the closest snow-covered hill.
If you live in an area that doesn’t get much snow, check out snow tubing parks near you and make a day out of it.
Go Caroling
Caroling is a fun way to involve your community in your bucket list. You can either employ some neighbors to join you or just go as a family.
Prepare some of your favorite Christmas songs and walk through your community singing them. This is sure to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.
Visit a Christmas Market
Christmas Markets have become extremely popular these days. Check out a local Christmas market near you. This is one of the best ways to support local or small businesses in your area.
Many of them take place outdoors and feature beautiful decorations, local crafters, and delicious festive foods. You can even do some of your Christmas shopping there.
Go on a Lighting Walk
Pack up some hot choco and take a stroll around your neighborhood.
This is a fantastic opportunity to check out your community’s lights and beautiful decorations. You can even share merry greetings with each other to celebrate this wonderful season.
Just don’t forget to dress warmly.
Want to add more to your list? Here are some winter break activities that your whole family will love!
Holiday Bucket List Ideas Wrap-Up
When it comes to creating a Holiday Season Bucket List for Families, the sky’s the limit. There are many different things that you can add to your Christmas Bucket List.
Whether you choose to do indoor activities, outdoor activities, or a combination of both, you are sure to be feeling extremely festive once the bucket list is completed.
Just remember, your bucket list can be curated to exactly what works for your family. There is no such thing as too many or too few activities that can be added.
Create a Christmas Bucket List that works for you without adding stress to an already busy season.