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Fun and Festive Toddler Activities for the Holidays

Writer's picture: Timea Rado PhotographyTimea Rado Photography

Updated: Jan 29


The holiday season is a magical time for families, especially with toddlers who are experiencing the wonder of holiday traditions for the first time. From the twinkling lights to the delicious smells of baking, the holiday season is filled with sensory experiences that are perfect for your little one. However, it can also be a busy time of year, and finding fun and engaging activities for toddlers can help create meaningful memories while also keeping them entertained.


Whether you're spending the holidays at home or out and about, here are some creative and festive toddler activities that will make this season extra special. These ideas combine fun, learning, and the holiday spirit, so you can make the most of this joyful time with your little one.


toddler activities


1. DIY Holiday Decorations

Why It’s Great: Decorating for the holidays is always a highlight, and toddlers can get involved in the process, too. Arts and crafts allow your child to express their creativity and take ownership of the holiday decorations.


Ideas to Try:

- Handprint Ornaments: Create a lasting memory by using your toddler’s handprints to make ornaments. Simply dip their hand in non-toxic paint, press it onto a cardstock or clay ornament, and let it dry. Add the year for a keepsake.


- Paper Chain Garland: Toddlers can help cut or tear strips of colored paper and glue them into loops to create a paper chain garland for the tree or around the house.


- Salt Dough Ornaments: Mix salt, flour, and water to create salt dough. Let your toddler stamp shapes using cookie cutters, add their name, and decorate with paint once they dry.


Tip: Keep the decorations simple and fun, as toddlers love the chance to get involved in festive activities, even if their fine motor skills are still developing.



  1. Christmas Sensory Bins

Why It’s Great: Sensory play is fantastic for toddlers as it helps with cognitive development, motor skills, and creativity. By creating a holiday-themed sensory bin, you can provide a sensory-rich experience that also aligns with the festive season.


Ideas to Try:

- Winter Wonderland Bin: Fill a large container with fake snow (or cotton balls), small plastic holiday figures (like Santa, reindeer, and snowmen), and some holiday-themed props like pinecones, fake berries, or ribbons. Let your toddler explore the textures and use their imagination to create stories.


- Baking Sensory Bin: Create a pretend "baking station" with rice or flour, plastic measuring cups, and small spoons. Let your toddler scoop and pour to their heart's content—this is a great fine motor activity!


- Christmas Tree Water Play: Fill a shallow container with water, add some plastic trees, and let your toddler practice pouring, splashing, and moving the objects in the water.


Tip: Sensory bins are an easy and low-maintenance activity that can be set up in minutes. Just keep a towel handy for easy cleanup!




3. Holiday-Themed Storytime

Why It’s Great: Reading is an essential activity for toddlers, and the holidays offer a great opportunity to introduce them to themed stories that highlight the season's joy, traditions, and values.


Ideas to Try:

- Christmas Stories: Choose age-appropriate Christmas classics like The Night Before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, or Bear Stays Up for Christmas. Toddlers will love hearing about Santa, presents, and holiday cheer.


- Interactive Books: Look for books with flaps, textures, or sounds that engage your toddler. Books like Dear Santa, with its pull-tabs and lift-the-flap features, are especially fun for little hands.


- Create Your Own Holiday Story: Sit down with your toddler and create a holiday story together! You can make up a story about Santa's journey, a snowman’s adventure, or anything your child loves.


Tip: Make storytime extra fun by using voices, gestures, and expressions to bring the characters and scenes to life.




4. Holiday Baking and Cooking

Why It’s Great: Toddlers love to help in the kitchen, and the holidays are the perfect time to involve them in baking and cooking. Simple recipes that require little hands-on work are ideal for this age group, and the process itself can be a wonderful bonding experience.


Ideas to Try:

- Decorating Sugar Cookies: Bake a batch of simple sugar cookies and set up a decorating station with sprinkles, icing, and small cookie cutters. Toddlers can have fun decorating their own cookies while working on their fine motor skills.


- Making Holiday Treats: Try making chocolate-dipped pretzels or rice krispie treats, where your toddler can help mix and shape the treats.


- Holiday Fruit and Cheese Kabobs: Create colorful skewers with your toddler using cubes of cheese, fruit, and maybe a few marshmallows or holiday-themed candies.


Tip: Keep it simple and ensure the tasks are age-appropriate. Toddlers can help with pouring, stirring, and decorating but may need supervision when using kitchen tools.




5. Outdoor Winter Fun

Why It’s Great: If you're lucky enough to have snow or mild winter weather, outdoor activities can be a great way to get your toddler moving and exploring. Fresh air and physical play are vital for your toddler's well-being and development.


Ideas to Try:

- Building a Snowman: If you live in a snowy climate, take advantage of the snow by building a snowman together. Toddlers will love rolling the snowballs and adding fun accessories like scarves, hats, and buttons.


- Nature Walks: Take a winter walk and collect pinecones, sticks, and leaves. You can use these items for craft projects or simply enjoy the beauty of the season.


- Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of things to find in nature, such as a red leaf, a bird’s nest, or a snowflake pattern. Toddlers will enjoy hunting for the items and practicing their observation skills.


Tip: Always bundle up your toddler in layers and take plenty of breaks to warm up indoors.




6. Holiday Music and Dance Party

Why It’s Great: Toddlers love music, and the holidays provide an excellent opportunity to introduce them to festive tunes. Dancing to holiday music encourages physical activity, rhythm, and coordination, all while having fun.


Ideas to Try:

- Dance to Holiday Music: Put on some classic Christmas songs or festive tunes, and have a dance party! Toddlers will enjoy moving to the beat, and you can make it a fun family activity.


- Instrument Play: Give your toddler a small drum, tambourine, or xylophone and let them play along to the music. You can even create a homemade instrument out of simple materials, like a shaker made from a jar filled with rice or beans.


- Sing Christmas Carols: Toddlers may not know all the words, but they can enjoy singing along or clapping to the rhythm of popular Christmas carols like Jingle Bells or Frosty the Snowman.


Tip: If your toddler loves singing, you could even make up your own Christmas song and add silly verses as you go along.




7. Visiting Holiday Light Displays

Why It’s Great: The holiday season brings beautiful light displays that are sure to captivate toddlers with their colors and sparkle. Going to see the lights can be a fun family outing that provides sensory stimulation and an opportunity for a little adventure.


Ideas to Try:

- Drive-Through Light Shows: Many places offer drive-through or walk-through light displays. Toddlers will be entranced by the glowing lights, festive scenes, and animated figures.


- Neighborhood Light Tour: If you don’t have a local display, take a walk or drive around your neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights. Toddlers can help spot different colors or shapes in the lights and maybe even pick their favorite display.


- Light-Up Toys: For a fun twist, bring along a light-up toy, like a glowing wand or stick-on stars, to help your toddler feel more engaged with the experience.


Tip: Dress warmly, and be sure to bring snacks and drinks if you're out for a while!



Conclusion: Make Memories That Last


The holidays are an exciting time for toddlers, filled with new experiences and festive fun. By incorporating activities like baking, crafting, dancing, and exploring the outdoors, you can create memories that will last a lifetime. Most importantly, remember that toddlers thrive on simple, hands-on activities that allow them to explore the world around them in a safe and enjoyable way. Whether you're creating something beautiful or just spending quality time together, these holiday activities will fill your days with joy, laughter, and love. Happy holidays!



toddler activities

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