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Looking for fun Christmas activities for kids that won’t break the bank? Then this list is for you!

Below you’ll find Christmas things to do that are totally free. Yes, you can have a frugal Christmas and still make awesome memories.

There’s such pressure around the holidays to make everything perfect and it can feel overwhelming as expenses add up. I’m forever a frugal person so I’m always looking for ways to save money and do Christmas on a budget.

These are activities on our Christmas bucket list this year that don’t cost a dime. And for more free Christmas ideas, don’t forget to check out my list of totally free Christmas gifts for everyone on your list.

Let’s find some free and festive Christmas fun!

1. Christmas lights

Driving around to see Christmas lights is a quintessential Christmas tradition — and it’s totally free! Get cozy and take a Christmas light drive for free holiday cheer.

2. Build a snowman

If weather is on your side, go outside and build a snowman! I grew up in Florida so snowy Christmas activities seem like the ultimate festive activity.

3. Make Christmas cookies

Making Christmas cookies is a classic holiday activity, and you likely have the ingredients in your kitchen already.

Text box in the middle that says fun + easy christmas activities for kids that are totally free, with pictures of a child making a gingerbread man and hands coloring a christmas tree coloring page

4. Donate toys

Spend an afternoon before Christmas cleaning out items around your home to donation. This is win win because it helps other families and it helps decluttering your home before the holiday rush.

5. Christmas decor scavenger hunt

Create a scavenger hunt for your kids with items like “Rudolph” and “snowflake.” Then, walk around your neighborhood looking for these items in the Christmas lights.

6. Free Santa photos

You don’t have to go to the mall and overpay for Santa photos. Community events like those at the local library also host Santa during the holiday season. Check your city library and Parks and Rec department to find one in your area.

Bass Pro shops also run free Santa photos throughout the season.

7. DIY family Christmas photos

You can also do-it-yourself with Christmas photos. For example, check out these easy DIY ideas for a baby’s first Christmas photoshoot. The list includes some cute whole family ideas too!

8. Holiday community events

Find a fun local holiday community event to attend. Many cities do holiday parades, Christmas tree lightings and more throughout the holiday season.

Don’t forget to check your local library’s event calendar too. Libraries often have lots of seasonal events for the whole family.

9. Christmas movie night

The quintessential holiday tradition is a Christmas movie night with the family. This idea is super easy on top of being totally free.

10. Make Christmas keepsakes, gifts or ornaments

If you have kids, now is the time to use their little hands for all kinds of Christmas crafts. Not only is this a free festive activity, many of them can double as free gifts for grandparents or family members too.

11. Christmas-themed YouTube dance videos

My kids absolutely love doing “ballet for kids” youtube videos and you can find lots of seasonal ones for a festive dance party. Here’s the Christmas edition of our favorite kids ballet series.

12. Make Christmas cards for charity

There are a number of organizations that collect Christmas cards and care packages for individuals in need, such as our military and senior citizens. Check out this collection for Christmas cards for our troops and this one for Cards for Seniors.

13. Use AI to make personalized coloring pages for kids

ChatGPT is great for making coloring sheets and activities for kids that are personalized to your child. It adds a little something extra when the coloring page is just for them. Here’s an example of one I made for my truck-obsessed kid.

Coloring page of a Christmas tree, semi truck and a young boy.

14. Learn to gift wrap well

Gift wrapping is one of those skills I assumed I’d just know how to do as an adult. That turned out to definitely not be true. Learning to gift wrap can be a fun activity for the whole family and will be a skill that kids can use forever.

15. Make a fire

What’s more cozy than making a fire? I grew up in Florida so making a fire was the ultimate treat on the one night that it actually got cold enough for it. If you don’t have a fireplace, you could also go to a park with a fire pit or grills and make s’mores over a grill.

Totally Free Christmas Activities for families with a picture of a donation box, a close up of a homemade christmas card and a phone taking a picture of a family with santa

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Looking for more fun Christmas ideas? Check out these cute Christmas snacks that are easy to make.

About the Author

Elizabeth Jon is a Ph.D. researcher whose work focuses on pregnancy and education. At Shoestring Baby, she uses her skills to research baby name trends, in-depth baby gear reviews & money savings ideas for parents.

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