22 Super Fun Christmas Activities for Toddlers

Last Updated on 12/08/2024 by Nell Marie

Christmas is such a magical time, especially when you get to experience it through the eyes of a toddler. Everything feels new and exciting for them—the twinkling lights, the cheerful music, and even the simple joy of ripping wrapping paper.

It’s a season filled with wonder, and toddlers remind us to slow down and savor the little things. Watching them squeal with delight at a jingly bell or beam with pride while hanging an ornament they made is enough to melt anyone’s heart.

In my article, I’ve put together 22 fun and festive activities to make this Christmas unforgettable for you and your little one.

From decorating their very own tree to making reindeer hats, these ideas are all about creating those sweet, joy-filled moments that make the season so special.

Whether you’re singing carols, baking cookies, or just cuddling up for a Christmas movie, these activities are perfect for celebrating the magic of the holidays with your toddler.

More Reading:

• 35 Christmas Activities for Kids
• 17 Super Sweet Valentines Day Gifts for Teachers
• 24 Valentines Day Baby Shower Ideas
• Adorable Free Elephant Coloring Pages for Kids

Save the image below on Pinterest for later reading

22 Christmas Activities for Toddlers

Christmas with toddlers is pure magic—they’re full of curiosity and excitement, soaking in every twinkling light and jingle of a bell. If you’re looking for ways to make this holiday season extra special, I’ve got you covered!

These 22 fun and festive Christmas activity ideas are perfect for toddlers, combining creativity, sensory play, and plenty of holiday cheer. From decorating their own tree to crafting reindeer hats, there’s something here to spark joy for your little one and create sweet memories together.

1. Christmas Tree Decorating

Set up a mini Christmas tree just for your toddler to decorate! Choose soft, shatterproof ornaments, colorful ribbons, and even some handmade crafts like paper chains.

Your little one will love hanging the decorations and rearranging them (probably multiple times). This activity gives them their own special tree while keeping the big tree safe from little hands.

2. Salt Dough Ornaments

Making salt dough ornaments is a holiday tradition that toddlers can easily join.

Mix up the dough (simple recipe: flour, salt, and water), and let your toddler use cookie cutters to make fun shapes like stars, trees, or snowmen.

After baking, paint them together and maybe add a sprinkle of glitter for extra sparkle. These ornaments make perfect keepsakes or gifts for family members.

3. Holiday Sensory Bin

Toddlers love sensory play, and a holiday-themed bin is sure to delight them.

Fill a container with items like fake snow (cotton balls or white rice), mini ornaments, jingle bells, pinecones, and red and green pom-poms.

Add scoops or spoons for extra fun, and let them explore textures, sounds, and colors in this festive bin.

4. Christmas Storytime

Snuggle up with a warm blanket and dive into some classic Christmas books. Titles like The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or Llama Llama Holiday Drama will capture your toddler’s attention while setting the mood for the season.

Use fun voices and make it interactive by asking them questions about the story.

5. DIY Handprint Card

Turn your toddler’s tiny hands into adorable Christmas art! Use non-toxic paint to create handprint reindeer, trees, or even a Santa beard on cardstock.

Let your toddler add their own flair with stickers or fingerpaint, and you’ll have personalized Christmas cards that friends and family will adore.

6. Candy Cane Hunt

Hide candy canes around the house for your toddler to find, just like an Easter egg hunt but with a holiday twist.

Use plastic candy canes if you’re worried about breaks or spills.

To make it extra exciting, turn on Christmas music while they search and give little clues if they need help.

7. Reindeer Food Craft

Mix up a batch of reindeer food with your toddler to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve.

Combine oats with glitter or edible glitter for a magical touch (and to make it environmentally friendly, use birdseed instead of glitter).

Your toddler will be thrilled to help feed Santa’s helpers.

8. Festive Sing-Along

Turn your living room into a holiday karaoke party! Sing classics like Jingle Bells or Frosty the Snowman, and let your toddler shake jingle bells or clap along.

The sillier you get, the more fun it will be—this is a guaranteed way to fill your home with laughter and joy.

9. Snowman Building (Real or Fake)

If you’re lucky enough to have snow, bundle up and build a toddler-sized snowman together. No snow? No problem! Use marshmallows, playdough, or even paper cutouts to create your own snowman indoors.

Let your toddler decorate with buttons, sticks, or markers.

10. Christmas Cookie Decorating

Bake a batch of sugar cookies (or use pre-made dough to keep it simple) and let your toddler go wild with icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations.

Don’t worry about the mess—it’s all part of the fun.

They’ll be so proud of their creations, even if a lot of sprinkles end up on the floor.

11. Christmas Lights Walk

Take a stroll or a short drive through the neighborhood to admire the Christmas lights.

Point out your toddler’s favorite colors and decorations, and maybe bring along some hot chocolate in a spill-proof cup to keep the experience cozy.

12. Holiday Sticker Fun

Stock up on Christmas-themed stickers and let your toddler’s imagination take over.

They can decorate paper, make their own Christmas cards, or even turn an old box into a holiday masterpiece. It’s a mess-free way to keep them entertained.

13. Santa Hat Craft

Help your toddler make their own Santa hat using red and white construction paper or felt.

Let them add cotton balls, glitter, or stickers to personalize it. They’ll love wearing their creation and showing it off to everyone!

14. Christmas Playdough

Make homemade playdough in festive colors like red and green, and add a dash of peppermint extract for a Christmas scent.

Provide cookie cutters and small decorations like buttons or beads for your toddler to create holiday shapes.

15. Advent Calendar for Toddlers

Make an advent calendar filled with small toddler-friendly surprises like stickers, mini toys, or healthy treats.

Each day becomes a fun countdown to Christmas, and they’ll love the excitement of opening a new surprise each morning.

16. Christmas Puzzle Play

Use pre-made Christmas puzzles or create your own by cutting out a holiday picture into puzzle pieces.

Toddlers will enjoy putting the pieces together and learning new shapes and images related to Christmas.

17. Snowflake Stamping

Dip snowflake-shaped cookie cutters into white paint and let your toddler stamp them onto colorful construction paper.

Once the paint dries, you can hang their snowy creations as decorations around the house.

18. Reindeer Ears Headband

Cut out antler shapes from brown construction paper and attach them to a headband or strip of paper.

Let your toddler decorate the antlers with stickers, glitter, or crayons. They’ll love pretending to be one of Santa’s reindeer.

19. Pom-Pom Christmas Tree Craft

Draw or print a simple outline of a Christmas tree and give your toddler a handful of colorful pom-poms to glue on as ornaments.

It’s a great way to practice fine motor skills while creating festive artwork.

20. Holiday Dance Party

Turn on some upbeat Christmas music and have a family dance-off! Songs like Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree or Jingle Bell Rock are perfect for getting your toddler to shake their sillies out.

21. Christmas Pajama Party

Snuggle up in matching Christmas pajamas, grab some snacks, and watch a toddler-friendly holiday movie like Frosty the Snowman or Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas.

It’s a cozy and low-key way to spend quality time together.

22. Christmas Bath Fun

Transform bath time into a festive adventure by adding red and green bath toys, floating Christmas bath toys, or safe holiday-scented soap.

Toss in a glow stick or two for a magical effect, and let your toddler splash around in their own little winter wonderland.

Final Thoughts About Christmas for Toddlers

Christmas with a toddler is such a special time—it’s all about soaking in their wonder and joy over the simplest things, from twinkling lights to sticky fingers covered in cookie frosting.

The memories you make now will be ones you cherish for years to come. Whether you’re dancing around the living room, crafting reindeer hats, or just cuddling up with a holiday book, these little moments add up to something truly magical.

So, dive into the holiday fun, embrace the mess, and don’t stress about perfection. It’s all about spending time together and making your toddler’s Christmas feel extra special.

Here’s to a holiday season filled with giggles, glitter, and so much love!