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The presents are unwrapped, the children have tried out their new toys, and the living room looks like a wrapping-paper explosion. You’ve enjoyed the excitement, taken plenty of pictures, and probably reminded someone not to eat chocolate before breakfast. Now, the big question is: what happens next?
Christmas Day doesn’t have to lose its sparkle once the presents are opened. In fact, some of the sweetest holiday memories happen during those quieter hours when everyone is home, relaxed, and ready for something fun.
You don’t need to buy more gifts or plan an expensive family outing. A few simple games, creative projects, tasty treats, and cozy traditions can keep children entertained without turning you into a full-time holiday activity planner.
Here are some easy, family-friendly ways to enjoy the rest of Christmas Day together. Pick the ideas that suit your children’s ages, energy levels, and your family’s mood. And remember, if everyone needs a little downtime, that’s perfectly fine too. You can also explore these family movie night ideas kids and parents will absolutely love for more cozy inspiration. So, put the gift bags aside, grab a few snacks, and get ready to make the rest of Christmas Day just as memorable!
Things to Do With Kids on Christmas Day When the Presents Are Opened
Turn the Living Room Into a Christmas Treasure Hunt
A Christmas treasure hunt is perfect when the kids still have plenty of energy after opening their presents. Hide paper stars, small toys, candy canes, or little notes around safe areas of the house. Give the children simple clues and let them work together to find the hidden treasures.
You don’t need to purchase extra prizes. A favorite snack, a funny family challenge, or the chance to choose the next activity can make a lovely reward. Younger children can follow picture clues, while older kids can solve simple riddles.
If your children love searching for hidden objects, make the hunt a new Christmas tradition. You can also adapt ideas from these funny Halloween party games for kids by swapping the spooky clues for festive ones.
Have a Family Christmas Movie Marathon
Sometimes, the best Christmas activity involves doing very little. Choose a few family-friendly Christmas movies, prepare popcorn, and let everyone settle into a comfortable spot. After the excitement of the morning, a cozy movie afternoon can give children and adults a chance to recharge.
Let each family member suggest one movie, or allow the children to choose between two options. You can make the experience more exciting with paper tickets, a snack tray, or a blanket fort in the living room.
Don’t worry about creating a perfect movie setup. A pile of cushions and everyone’s favorite snacks will do just fine. For more ideas, explore these family movie night ideas kids and parents will absolutely love.
Organize a Christmas Dance Party
If the children are bouncing off the walls, put on some Christmas music and let everyone dance. Play cheerful holiday songs, encourage silly moves, and allow each child to choose a favorite track. You might even discover that your toddler has better dance moves than everyone else in the family.
Try freeze dance by pausing the music unexpectedly. Everyone must stop moving until the song starts again, and anyone who wiggles gets to make the next silly dance move.
Keep the furniture out of the way and give everyone enough space to move safely. You can also make the activity part of a holiday talent show later in the afternoon.
Bake Christmas Cookies Together
Christmas baking gives children something creative to do while filling your home with delicious smells. You can prepare a simple cookie dough, use festive cutters, and let the children decorate the cooled cookies with icing and sprinkles.
If you’ve already spent hours preparing Christmas dinner, don’t feel pressured to bake everything from scratch. Ready-made cookies, simple cupcake mixes, or plain biscuits can work just as well for decorating.
Let the children create their own designs, even if the cookies look a little wild. That’s part of the fun! Adults should handle hot trays, sharp tools, and the oven. For more hands-on inspiration, explore these creative ceramic mug painting ideas for kids for another relaxed holiday project.
Create a Christmas Craft Corner
Bring out leftover wrapping paper, colored paper, crayons, glue sticks, and ribbons to create a small Christmas craft corner. Children can make paper ornaments, festive cards, snowflakes, or little decorations for their bedrooms.
You don’t need a complicated craft tutorial. Sometimes, giving children a few supplies and letting their imaginations take over works best. One child might create a paper reindeer, while another turns a cardboard box into a Christmas house.
Prepare any cutting beforehand, especially when younger children are involved. You can find more inspiration in these easy summer crafts kids can make in 10 minutes and adapt the projects using festive colors.
Build a Cozy Christmas Blanket Fort
A blanket fort can turn an ordinary afternoon into a little adventure. Use lightweight blankets, cushions, and stable furniture to create a cozy hideaway where children can read, play with soft toys, or imagine they’re spending Christmas in a snowy cabin.
Let the kids decide what their fort needs. They might bring a favorite book, arrange stuffed animals, or make a pretend fireplace from paper. You can even serve an age-appropriate snack nearby while they enjoy their special space.
Keep the structure stable, leave plenty of ventilation, and avoid heaters or open flames. For another imaginative family activity, try these indoor camping night ideas for kids.
Play Christmas Charades
Christmas charades can turn a quiet afternoon into a room full of laughter. Write simple prompts on paper, such as decorating a tree, wrapping a present, eating a cookie, or pretending to be Santa. Players take turns acting out their prompts while everyone else guesses.
For younger children, use pictures instead of written clues. Older kids can invent trickier prompts or become the official game hosts. Don’t worry if someone guesses completely wrong; those moments often become the funniest memories.
If your family enjoys friendly competition, add a round of silly challenges. You can also borrow ideas from these family game night planning tips to keep everyone involved.
Make a Christmas Memory Scrapbook
Christmas Day is a lovely time to collect memories while they’re still fresh. Gather a few printed photographs, drawings, gift tags, and other small keepsakes from the celebration. Let the children arrange them in a scrapbook and decorate the pages with stickers or colorful paper.
They can add captions about their favorite gifts, the funniest thing someone said, or the food they enjoyed most. Younger children can draw pictures instead of writing sentences.
You don’t have to finish the scrapbook in one sitting. Add pages throughout the holiday and keep it as a family keepsake. For another meaningful project, explore these DIY childhood memory box ideas.
Arrange a Christmas Board Game Tournament
Bring out board games, card games, matching games, or puzzles that suit everyone’s ages. Instead of playing just once, create a friendly tournament with several short rounds. Let children choose the first game, then allow another family member to pick the next one.
Keep the competition lighthearted. Younger children might need help with the rules, and not every child enjoys losing. Celebrate funny moments and good teamwork instead of focusing only on the winner.
If your family enjoys playing together, check out these best family board games for kids for options to keep on hand during school holidays.
Host a Christmas Talent Show
Give everyone a chance to share something they enjoy. Children can sing, dance, tell jokes, perform magic tricks, show a drawing, or demonstrate a new skill. Parents can join too, which makes the whole event feel less like a performance and more like a family game.
Use cushions as audience seats and let the kids make simple paper tickets. You can even ask one child to introduce the performers while another chooses the music.
Keep it relaxed so nobody feels pressured to participate. A shy child can help with decorations or take pictures instead. The goal is to enjoy each other’s company, not produce a perfect show.
Have a Christmas Pajama Photo Session
Once the morning rush settles, invite everyone to put on comfortable pajamas and take a few relaxed family pictures. You can use the Christmas tree as a backdrop or create a simple photo corner with blankets and paper decorations.
Let the children suggest poses, make funny faces, or hold their favorite new toys. You don’t need professional equipment; a phone camera and good natural light are enough.
Save the pictures in a folder and revisit them next Christmas. If your family enjoys documenting special moments, these childhood milestone ideas offer more ways to preserve memories as your children grow.
Create a Christmas Scavenger Hunt Indoors
A scavenger hunt is different from a treasure hunt because the goal is to find specific objects rather than one hidden prize. Ask children to find something red, something soft, a star, a Christmas book, or a toy they received that morning.
You can make the challenge easier for toddlers by showing them pictures of the items. Older children can follow written clues or work in teams. Keep everything in safe, accessible places so nobody needs to climb furniture or open cupboards.
For extra fun, let the children create a scavenger hunt for the adults. You may be surprised by how difficult they make it!
Make Homemade Christmas Ornaments
Use paper, cardboard, or age-appropriate craft materials to make ornaments for next year’s tree. Children can create stars, hearts, little trees, or decorations shaped like their favorite animals. Add the year to each ornament so your family can remember when you made it.
For younger children, prepare the shapes in advance and let them decorate with large stickers or chunky crayons. Keep small parts and long strings away from toddlers, and supervise any craft that uses paint or glue.
You can also make paper decorations that don’t need to hang on the tree. For more ideas, adapt these DIY Fourth of July decorations using Christmas colors and shapes.
Set Up a Christmas Reading Hour
After a busy morning, a reading hour can give everyone a welcome break. Choose Christmas stories, funny picture books, comics, or a chapter book that suits your children’s ages. Let each child pick a story, or take turns reading aloud.
You can make the experience special with blankets, warm drinks suitable for the children, and a few soft toys. If the kids aren’t ready to sit quietly, invite them to act out parts of the story or draw their favorite scene afterward.
For families who want to encourage reading throughout the year, try these cozy reading nook ideas for creating a comfortable place to enjoy books.
Make a Christmas Gratitude Jar
Christmas can be so focused on gifts that it’s easy to forget the little things that make the day special. Give each family member a piece of paper and invite them to share something they appreciate. Children can draw a favorite moment if writing feels difficult.
Fold the notes and place them in a jar. Read them together later in the evening or save them until New Year’s Day. You might hear sweet comments about a favorite meal, a sibling’s joke, or spending time with grandparents.
For another thoughtful holiday tradition, try these Christmas gratitude cards kids can make.
Make a Christmas Paper Chain
Paper chains are easy to make and use supplies you may already have after wrapping presents. Cut paper into strips before starting, then show the children how to connect each strip into a loop. They can alternate colors or create their own patterns.
Hang the finished chain somewhere safe, such as along a wall or around a doorway away from hazards. Younger children can choose the colors while older kids assemble the links.
This activity is especially useful when you want something creative that doesn’t need a big setup. Keep the paper scraps for another craft instead of throwing everything away.
Build a Christmas Block Village
Bring out building blocks and challenge the children to create a little Christmas village. They can build houses, shops, roads, or a place where Santa might stop to deliver presents. Add sturdy toy figures if you have them, and let the children invent stories about their village.
You don’t need a special construction set. Cardboard boxes and large blocks can work just as well, provided the materials are safe for your child’s age. Keep the village on a rug or low table where it won’t block walkways.
If your children love building and decorating, these LEGO bedroom ideas for creative builders may inspire future projects.
Have a Christmas Baking Decoration Contest
If you’ve already baked cookies or cupcakes, turn the decorating into a friendly contest. Put out a few bowls of icing and sprinkles, then invite everyone to create the funniest, prettiest, or most unusual design. You can give each person a different theme to make the challenge more interesting.
Keep the contest playful, especially with younger children. A cupcake covered in too many sprinkles can still be a masterpiece in their eyes! Adults should handle hot trays and supervise food preparation, while checking for allergies before serving treats.
For a simpler option, decorate ready-made biscuits together. The activity can be just as enjoyable without making another batch of dough.
Make a Christmas Puppet Show
Turn paper bags or sturdy paper shapes into simple puppets using crayons and large paper details. Children can create Santa, reindeer, snowmen, or completely imaginary characters. Help them make a small stage from a cardboard box, then invite them to invent a Christmas story.
The story doesn’t need to make sense from beginning to end. A reindeer who forgets where he parked his sleigh can be just as entertaining as a traditional Christmas tale.
Keep craft materials suitable for the children’s ages and avoid small pieces that could come loose. For more paper-based fun, explore these Minecraft paper craft ideas for kids and adapt the basic techniques.
Try a Christmas Drawing Challenge
Give everyone a piece of paper and choose a funny drawing prompt. You could ask the children to draw Santa’s dream house, a reindeer wearing pajamas, or the biggest Christmas tree imaginable. Set a short timer if they enjoy quick challenges, but let them take longer if they want to add details.
When everyone finishes, display the drawings and let each person explain their creation. There are no wrong answers, and nobody needs to be especially good at drawing to join in.
You can keep the pictures in a folder and compare them in future years. For more inspiration, explore these easy painting ideas for toddlers.
Organize a Family Christmas Quiz
Prepare a few questions about Christmas movies, favorite foods, family memories, and silly holiday facts. Keep the questions easy enough for younger children, and let older kids invent some of their own. You can even include questions about funny things that happened during the morning.
Forget complicated scoring if it starts causing arguments. Give everyone a chance to answer, and let the children award imaginary prizes for the funniest responses. The real goal is to laugh together and learn a few surprising things about each other.
For another family activity, try these birthday interview questions to ask your child every year and see how much the children enjoy sharing their answers.
Have a Christmas Costume Parade
Bring out Santa hats, reindeer headbands, festive scarves, and other comfortable accessories. Let the children create their own Christmas characters and walk through the living room while everyone cheers. Parents can join in too, especially if you’re happy to wear a ridiculous hat for a few minutes.
You don’t need to purchase costumes just for the occasion. Use items you already own and avoid accessories that restrict breathing, vision, or movement. Let each child introduce their character with a funny name or a short story.
If your family enjoys dressing up for special events, these fairy birthday party ideas offer more inspiration for imaginative themes.
Create a Christmas Photo Booth
Choose a corner of the living room and decorate it with paper stars, tinsel, or leftover wrapping paper. Add simple props, such as Santa hats and reindeer headbands, then let the children take turns posing. Encourage silly faces, funny poses, and group pictures with their new toys.
You can use a phone camera and natural light instead of buying special equipment. Save the best pictures in a family folder or print a few later for your scrapbook.
If you enjoy creating memorable photo setups, explore these cake smash backdrop ideas for inspiration you can adapt to Christmas.
Make a Christmas Memory Box
Find a clean box and invite the children to decorate it with paper, stickers, and crayons. Add a few safe keepsakes from the day, such as handmade cards, drawings, or gift tags. You can also write down a funny quote or a favorite memory to keep inside.
The idea is to preserve small moments that might otherwise be forgotten. Next Christmas, open the box together and look through everything you saved. Your children may be surprised by what they remember, and you might discover that the simplest moments mean the most.
For more inspiration, see these precious first birthday traditions and adapt the idea of keeping meaningful family memories.
Enjoy a Christmas Storytelling Circle
Gather everyone in a comfortable spot and invite each person to tell a short story. Children can talk about their favorite gift, invent a tale about a reindeer, or describe their dream Christmas adventure. Younger kids can contribute a sentence while an adult helps the story along.
Try starting with a silly sentence, such as, “On Christmas morning, a penguin knocked on our door.” Each person adds one new sentence until the family creates a funny story together. Don’t worry if the plot goes completely off track; that’s part of the charm.
If your children enjoy making up characters and adventures, these unicorn paper crafts kids can make in 30 minutes can provide inspiration for another imaginative activity.
Let the Children Help With Leftover Gift Wrapping
After opening presents, you may have plenty of leftover wrapping paper and empty boxes. Instead of throwing everything away immediately, let the children use the clean materials to wrap pretend presents or decorate boxes for their toys. They can create little beds for stuffed animals or build a pretend delivery service.
Prepare the materials beforehand and keep scissors, tape dispensers, plastic bags, and small ribbon pieces away from toddlers. This activity gives children a chance to reuse supplies while enjoying more imaginative play.
You can also turn sturdy boxes into storage containers for craft supplies. For more organizing inspiration, check these creative kids’ room storage ideas.
Plan a Cozy Christmas Snack Picnic
When everyone starts feeling hungry again, spread a blanket in a comfortable spot and enjoy a simple snack together. Offer suitable fruit, crackers, sandwiches, or another snack your children enjoy. Let them help choose the picnic spot and arrange napkins, then sit down and relax for a while.
Keep the food appropriate for each child’s age, and supervise young children while they eat. Avoid choking hazards and make sure everyone stays seated during snack time. You don’t need elaborate picnic food to make this feel special.
This is also a lovely moment to talk about everyone’s favorite part of Christmas so far. Sometimes a quiet snack and a good conversation are all the afternoon needs.
Make a Christmas-Themed Indoor Obstacle Course
If the children have more energy than you know what to do with, create a simple obstacle course using cushions, pillows, and clear floor space. Ask them to step around cushions, crawl through a safe tunnel, or walk along a line of masking tape. Let them invent a new route once they finish the first one.
Keep the challenges suitable for their ages, and remove slippery rugs or sharp objects. Avoid climbing on furniture or jumping from heights. For a more detailed setup, use this indoor obstacle course guide for kids.
Give Everyone Some Free Play Time
Not every moment of Christmas Day needs a planned activity. Children may want to explore their new toys, build something on their own, or spend time playing with their siblings. Let them enjoy that freedom instead of feeling responsible for keeping them entertained every minute.
You can use this time to tidy the living room, enjoy a cup of tea, or sit down for a few minutes yourself. Keep an eye on younger children and help when they need you, but allow their imagination to lead the way.
If the children become overwhelmed by all their new toys, offer a small selection at a time and store the rest for another day. This keeps the play area manageable without taking away the excitement.
Make Time for a Simple Family Walk
If the weather and local conditions allow, a short family walk can be a refreshing change after spending the morning indoors. Look at neighborhood decorations, notice interesting trees, or let the children spot festive colors along the way. You don’t need to turn it into a long outing.
Dress appropriately for the weather, stay together, and choose a safe route. If going outside isn’t practical, you can look at holiday decorations from the window or have a short movement break indoors instead.
For another seasonal activity, explore these fall nature activities for kids and adapt the observation game to your surroundings.
How to Keep Christmas Day Enjoyable Without Overplanning
The easiest way to enjoy Christmas Day is to have a few ideas ready without trying to fit them all into one schedule. Children can move from excited play to tiredness surprisingly quickly, and adults need breaks too.
Keep these simple reminders in mind:
- Follow your children’s energy: Choose dancing or obstacle courses when they feel active, and crafts or movies when they need to slow down.
- Use what you already have: Paper, cushions, toys, board games, and leftover wrapping materials can provide plenty of entertainment.
- Let the kids make choices: Offer two or three activities and allow them to pick their favorite.
- Keep snacks and breaks simple: Children may need food, water, and quiet time between activities.
- Don’t chase perfection: A relaxed afternoon can be just as memorable as an elaborate celebration.
- Save a few traditions for next year: Repeat the activities everyone enjoys and let the children help choose new ones.
If you’re looking for more ways to make family celebrations meaningful, this guide to creating meaningful childhood memories offers ideas you can enjoy throughout the year.
Final Thoughts
Christmas Day doesn’t end when the presents are opened. The hours that follow can bring some of the best moments of the holiday, from silly family games and creative crafts to cozy movies and conversations that make everyone laugh.
Choose a few activities that suit your family’s mood, but leave plenty of room for free play and rest. You don’t need to keep the children busy from morning until bedtime, and you certainly don’t need to spend more money to make the day special.
Sometimes, the best Christmas memory is a homemade cookie that looks completely ridiculous, a blanket fort that takes over the living room, or a family game that ends in laughter. Enjoy the little moments, take a few pictures, and let your Christmas Day unfold naturally.
