25 Affordable Holiday Family Activities

By: Jamie Perillo, LPC

1.       Hide a holiday or winter book each night for twenty –five nights. Each night the kids get to hunt for a book then have family story time.

2.       Bundle up and take a walk or hike outside.

3.       PJ’s, popcorn, and your favorite family movie.

4.       “Minivan Express” - Leave a ticket on your child’s pillow for a surprise night aboard the “minivan express” equipped with popcorn, hot cocoa, and music. Pile the kids in the car and enjoy your treats and drive around looking at holiday light displays.

5.       Make your own salt dough or cinnamon ornaments.

6.       Check out your local high school, college, or community center for a winter play or musical. Pack a snack and enjoy!

7.       Bake and decorate cookies together.

8.       Have a camp-in under the stars. String lights in your living room, get cozy in some sleeping bags, and have a winter camp-in under the stars. Don’t forget the s’mores!

9.       Game night. Unplug all electronics, phones, televisions and grab your favorite family board games.

10.   Cook a favorite family recipe together. Dress up and have a fancy dinner at home. Not the dress up type? Grab your comfy clothes, and picnic blanket, and have a family picnic indoors.

11.   Volunteer together. Find a cause meaningful to you and volunteer as a family.

12.   Holiday lights/decorations scavenger hunt! Make a scavenger hunt (or find one online), take a drive, and see who can complete their list first.

13.   Make Gratitude cards. Decorate cards, write words of gratitude and thanks, and give to family, friends, teachers, and other helpful and meaningful people.

14.   Date night. Have a date night with your kids.

15.   Family Photographers. Give each child a camera, let them click away, then print the pictures and make a family scrapbook.

16.   Craft together.

17.   Try something new as a family.

18.   Make gingerbread houses, pretzel log cabins, or cookie cottages.

19.   Try a healthy family activity together. Take a yoga class (many studios offer “By donation classes” around the holidays), snow shoe, ice-skate, take a walk on a beach, or play a game of catch.

20.   Many towns have a “Holiday Stroll” this time of year that include special family activities and treats. Find one nearby and take a stroll.

21.   Participate in a 25 Days of Kindness Challenge. Find one online or have each family member do one kind gesture for someone each day. Log your experiences.

22.   Host a potluck gathering for family or friends.

23.   Spend a day helping a neighbor, family member, or friend. Run errands, clean, or just keep them company.

24.   Check out your local library, place of worship, or parks and recreational center for low-cost holiday activities.

25.   Try a painting class. Enjoy a fun family activity with an added bonus of making some homemade gifts.

Enjoy!