*Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog.

🎄 What We’re Using This Christmas (Amazon Favorites)

Here are a few things we’re loving and actually using this Christmas season:

🎄Kids’ Christmas Activity Book (Amazon)
🎄Christmas Playdough Kit (Amazon)
🎄Christmas Book Set (Amazon)
🎄Easy Gingerbread House Kit (Amazon)
🎄Washable Christmas Stampers (Amazon)
🎄Christmas Fun Game (Amazon)
🎄Kids’ Christmas Craft Set (Amazon)

If your kids are anything like mine, the holiday season comes with an unexpected phrase…
“Mom, I’m bored again.”

It usually happens right when I sit down with a warm cup of coffee or start wrapping gifts. Somehow, Christmas break — with ALL the toys, crafts, lights, treats, and excitement — still isn’t enough to keep little minds busy for long.

So over the years, I’ve created a running list of quick, low-prep Christmas activities that I can pull out whenever boredom strikes. These ideas are simple, don’t require a lot of setup, and can be done with things you already have around the house. Perfect for homeschool days, weekends, or those long stretches of vacation time.

Whether you need an activity that takes 5 minutes or something that keeps the kids busy for an hour, I hope this list makes your holiday season feel a little more peaceful — and a lot more magical.

Let’s jump in.

1. Christmas Scavenger Hunt (Instant Version)

Grab a scrap piece of paper and quickly write:
🎄 Something red
🎄 Something shiny
🎄 Something shaped like a star
🎄 Something soft
🎄 Something that smells like Christmas
Hand it to your kids and let them hunt around the house. Instant boredom buster!

2. Candy Cane “STEM” Fishing Game

Give each child a candy cane and some string. Let them try to “fish” for small toys or candy canes by hooking them.
This keeps them busy longer than you’d think!

3. Christmas Grid Drawing Challenge

Print or draw a simple Christmas picture divided into squares. Have your child copy it square-by-square.
Great for quiet time, focus, and fine motor practice.

4. Christmas Play-Dough Tray

Use whatever you have: red and green play-dough, cookie cutters, beads, buttons, or plastic ornaments.
Kids will play for ages, and you barely have to prep.

5. Ornament Rescue Mission (Fine Motor Play)

Wrap a few ornaments in painter’s tape on a wall and let your kids peel, pull, and rescue them.
This is AMAZING for toddlers and preschoolers.

6. “Decorate the Tree” Window Activity

Use window markers or dry erase markers and let your kids draw a Christmas tree right on the window.
Add ornaments, lights, gifts — it’s washable and endlessly fun.

7. Christmas Freeze Dance

Turn on your favorite holiday playlist and pause randomly. When the music stops, the kids freeze.
Fast, fun, and burns off energy instantly.

8. Hot Cocoa Café Play

Set up a pretend hot cocoa station with cups, spoons, marshmallows, and cocoa powder (optional).
Kids love pretend play, and you get a few minutes of quiet.

9. Reindeer Toss Game

Use a laundry basket as the “reindeer” and have your kids toss rolled-up socks into it.
Make it silly by naming each toss after a reindeer: “This one’s for Dasher!”

10. Christmas Shadow Drawing

Place small Christmas figurines near a window to create shadows.
Give your kids paper and pencils to trace the shadows.
Such a calm, peaceful activity.

11. Gingerbread House Building… with Anything

No kit? No problem.
Use:
✔ Graham crackers
✔ Pretzels
✔ Fruit snacks
✔ Marshmallows
✔ Toothpicks
✔ Even LEGOs
Kids only need the idea — they’ll do the rest.

12. Christmas Sticker Story

Hand your child Christmas stickers and a few blank pages.
Ask them to create a story using the stickers first, then write or tell it out loud.
A great literacy activity that feels like play.

13. Cup Stack Christmas Trees

Give kids green cups and challenge them to build the tallest or widest “Christmas tree” they can.
Perfect for STEM and problem-solving skills.

14. Milk Jug Snowman Craft

If you have an empty gallon jug, draw a snowman face on it and stuff it with tissue paper or lights.
Quick, cute, and perfect for decoration.

15. Christmas I-Spy Jar

Fill a jar with rice and small Christmas items (mini bows, beads, buttons, small ornaments).
Shake, twist, turn — keeps kids busy for a long time!

16. Christmas Nature Walk

Head outside and search for pinecones, interesting leaves, winter berries, or cool rocks.
Bring them home for a craft later or just enjoy the walk.

17. Wrap the Present Race

Give each child a small box, wrapping paper scraps, and tape.
Challenge them to wrap it the fastest or the neatest.
Kids LOVE this because they get to use tape — their favorite thing.

18. Reindeer Puppet Bags

Use brown paper lunch bags and let the kids turn them into reindeer puppets with markers, pom-poms, and googly eyes.
They’ll play with them afterward, which buys you even more time.

19. Christmas Coloring Contest

Print one Christmas coloring page and tell your kids it’s a contest — funniest, brightest, most creative, etc.
Kids instantly focus when there’s a “challenge.”

20. Ornament Bowling

Use plastic ornaments as bowling balls and set up empty plastic cups as pins.
Indoor fun with zero prep.

21. Christmas Puzzle Race

If you have several puzzles (size doesn’t matter), set a timer and see who can finish first.
Or give two kids the same puzzle and let them race!

22. Peppermint Slime (3 Ingredients)

Mix:
– ½ cup clear glue
– ½ cup water
– ½ cup liquid starch
Add peppermint extract or red food coloring.
Kids LOVE this and it takes less than 3 minutes to make.

23. Countdown Chain Maker

Cut strips of paper and let your children create a Christmas countdown chain.
This also helps younger kids visualize “how many days until Christmas.”

24. Sock Snowballs

Ball up white socks and let your kids have an indoor “snowball fight.”
No freezing hands. No mess. No prep. Perfect.

25. Christmas Book Basket + Activity

Choose ANY Christmas picture book you own and pair it with a simple hands-on activity.
For example:
– How the Grinch Stole Christmas → Make a “Grow Your Heart” kindness list
– The Polar Express → Bell lacing activity
– Olive, the Other Reindeer → Reindeer drawing or antler craft
This makes reading time feel special, even on busy days.

Why These Activities Work (And Why Your Kids Stop Saying “I’m Bored”)

As moms — especially homeschool moms — we sometimes carry this pressure to prepare elaborate activities, craft perfect memories, and make every moment magical.

But kids don’t need perfect…
They need connection, creativity, and moments that feel special to them.

These quick Christmas activities work because they:
✨ Break up monotony
✨ Redirect restless energy
✨ Engage the senses
✨ Spark imagination
✨ Give kids ownership of their time

The best part?
They give YOU breathing room.

A few minutes to finish dinner.
To answer emails.
To enjoy a quiet moment before the next holiday event.
Or simply to enjoy the season without feeling stretched too thin.

A Gentle Encouragement for You

If your kids say “I’m bored again,” it’s not a sign you’re doing anything wrong.

It’s just part of childhood — especially during overstimulation season.

You’re doing an amazing job creating a warm, joyful home, even on the days when you're juggling a hundred things at once. These simple activities aren’t meant to add pressure… they’re here to help your days flow smoother and give you options when you need something fast.

You deserve a peaceful holiday too.
I hope these ideas help bring that to your home.

If you want even more simple Christmas activities, homeschool printables, or learning ideas to make the season magical, make sure to explore my other posts.

Your support helps me keep creating helpful content for your home and homeschool.

Search This Blog

Cleverly Kindred

Featured Post

How We Simplify Homeschool in the Spring (And Why It Works)

25 Quick Christmas Activities for When Your Kids Are “Bored Again” (Fast, Fun, and Low-Prep!)