27 Holiday Activities to Do with Babies & Toddlers (Easy, Affordable, & Fun!)
The holiday season is a magical time, but when you have a baby or toddler in tow, it can also feel a little overwhelming. How do you keep the spirit of the season alive while accommodating naps, meals, and a short attention span? The key is finding simple, age-appropriate activities that let your little one soak up the joy of the holidays without too much effort on your part.
In this blog, I’m sharing 25+ holiday activities that are fun for babies and toddlers, no matter where you are in the world. These ideas are easy to adapt to your family’s traditions, and most don’t require anything beyond what you already have at home. Whether you’re looking for ways to make memories, encourage development, or just keep your little one entertained during the festive season, this list has you covered.
Holiday Activities for Babies 0-12 Months
Babies in their first year are taking in so much of the world around them. The holidays are a perfect time to introduce new sights, sounds, and textures. Keep activities simple, sensory-focused, and centered on connection.
1. Explore Twinkling Lights
Babies are mesmerized by lights! Take a stroll around your neighborhood to see holiday decorations or simply string some fairy lights around your home. Turn off the main lights and let your baby gaze at the soft glow. It’s a soothing sensory experience and a magical bonding moment.
2. Holiday Sing-Along
Even if your baby doesn’t understand the words, singing holiday songs together can bring joy and calm. Choose classics like "Jingle Bells" or "Silent Night," and watch how your baby reacts to the rhythm and melody. Clap or gently sway to the beat to make it more engaging.
3. Handprint Ornaments
Create a keepsake by making salt dough ornaments with your baby’s handprint. Mix equal parts flour and salt with a little water to make a dough, press your baby’s hand into it, and bake. Paint the finished product together (if they’re a bit older), or leave it natural.
4. Sensory Holiday Basket
Fill a basket with baby-safe holiday items like soft fabric ribbons, jingle bells (securely attached), or small pieces of crinkly wrapping paper. Let your baby explore the different textures, sounds, and colors under your supervision.
5. Read Holiday Books
Snuggle up with a board book about the holidays. Choose stories with simple rhymes and colorful pictures, like “The Night Before Christmas” or other culturally relevant tales. Reading helps with early language development and strengthens your bond. You can even head to your local library or book store to find fun holiday books you can read without buying — OR, many bookstores have story times you can attend!
6. Gentle Snow Play (or Sand Play)
If you live in a snowy climate, bundle up your baby and let them touch the snow with their gloved hands. If you’re in a warmer area, substitute snow for sand or even flour in a sensory bin. Describe the textures as they explore.
7. Holiday Tummy Time
For little ones still mastering tummy time, make it festive! Place a shiny ornament or a small mirror just out of reach to encourage reaching and exploration. Always supervise closely when using small objects.
Holiday Activities for Toddlers 1-3 Years Old
Toddlers are bursting with energy and curiosity, making the holidays a wonderful time to engage them in hands-on, interactive activities. These ideas balance fun with opportunities for learning and creativity.
8. Decorate a Mini Tree
Give your toddler their own small tree to decorate. Use soft, unbreakable ornaments, and let them rearrange to their heart’s content. It’s a great way to let them practice fine motor skills while feeling involved in the holiday setup.
9. Bake Together
Involve your toddler in making simple holiday treats like cookies or muffins. Let them sprinkle sugar, stir batter, or use cookie cutters. Remember, it’s about the process, not perfection!
10. Holiday Dance Party
Turn on your favorite holiday playlist and have a family dance-off. Let your toddler jump, twirl, or shake jingle bells to the beat. It’s an easy way to burn energy and share some laughs.
11. DIY Wrapping Paper
Spread out plain craft paper and give your toddler non-toxic paints or markers to create their own designs. Their “artwork” makes perfect wrapping paper for gifts to family members.
12. Nature Walk with a Holiday Twist
Go for a walk and collect natural items like pinecones, leaves, or sticks. Back home, you can use these to create simple decorations together, like a pinecone garland or leaf ornaments.
13. Play “Find the Ornament”
Hide a few large, colorful ornaments around a safe area of your home and ask your toddler to find them. This game builds observation skills and can keep them entertained for quite a while.
14. Holiday-Themed Sensory Bin
Fill a container with materials like cotton balls (pretend snow), small holiday trinkets, or red and green pom-poms. Give your toddler scoops or spoons to explore and play.
15. Build a Festive Fort
Use string lights, blankets, and pillows to create a cozy holiday fort. Read books, sing songs, or just snuggle inside for a quiet activity.
16. Make a Countdown Chain
Cut strips of colored paper and help your toddler glue them into a chain. Each day, let them remove one link as you count down to your special holiday.
Holiday Activities for All Ages
Here are some fun activities that are perfect for families of mixed ages, allowing everyone to join in on the holiday fun!
17. Family Pajama Party
Pick a night for everyone to wear matching pajamas, sip warm drinks, and watch a holiday movie. Babies can cuddle while toddlers enjoy the coziness and fun.
18. DIY Photo Shoot
Set up a festive corner with props and costumes. Capture silly and sweet photos to send to loved ones or keep as memories.
19. Holiday Card Making
Let toddlers decorate cards with stickers or stamps, while babies “sign” with a tiny fingerprint or handprint. Family and friends will love the personal touch.
20. Festive Bath Time
Add holiday-colored bath toys, safe bath bombs, or floating lights to make bath time extra fun and festive.
21. Visit a Holiday Market or Event
Take your little one to a local market or community event. The sights and sounds will captivate them, and it’s a great way to explore the season together.
22. Light Show Drive
Bundle up the family, pack some snacks, and drive around to see neighborhood light displays. It’s a relaxing way to celebrate together.
23. DIY Holiday Wreath
Make a simple wreath with materials like paper, pom-poms, or leaves. Toddlers can help with glue or placing items, while babies enjoy watching the process.
24. Paper Snowflakes
Fold and cut paper snowflakes together. Toddlers can help decorate them with crayons or glitter.
25. Act Out a Holiday Story
Pick a favorite holiday tale and act it out as a family. It’s fun, and interactive, and helps build storytelling skills.
26. Create a Family Tradition
Whether it’s a holiday breakfast, a special song, or an annual activity, start a tradition your little ones can look forward to each year.
And remember, there are usually lots of fun seasonal and “pop-up” activities that are family-friendly in each city. Make sure to find blogs, Tiktoks, and Instagram accounts that find and provide round-ups of ideas for free and paid activities you can work into your holiday season with your little one! I follow a ton in Los Angeles and San Diego; they provide many great ideas.
The holidays are all about connection, and there’s no better way to connect than through simple, joyful activities with your little ones. Whether you’re exploring twinkling lights, baking cookies, or just cuddling in a festive fort, these moments create memories that last long after the season ends. Which activity are you trying first?
