10 Fun Free Holiday Family Activities

There are so many ways to have fun and enjoy the holidays with your family without spending a lot of money. From play time in the great outdoors to community events and entertainment, you’ll definitely make memories with your family during the festive season with this list of 10 fun and free things to do during the holidays.

1. Do some fun arts and crafts with your kids using supplies that can be found around the house. Make your home more festive by cutting out paper snowflakes and taping then to the windows, create paper chains and hang from curtain rods or shelves, string popcorn garlands and decorate the tree, and make felted gnomes to place on your mantle.

2. Go ice skating on a local frozen lake or pond (be sure to check conditions), or at a neighbourhood park. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and some homemade cookies for a warming treat.

3. Check your local listings for free entertainment where you live. Most cities and towns host winter parades, holiday performances and visits from Santa.

4. Go caroling in your neighbourhood. Grab some family friends and have everyone wear Santa hats or festive scarves and accessories. Consider caroling at places such as nursing homes or hospitals and help to brighten someone else’s holiday season.

5. Watch holiday movies at home complete with popcorn and treats. Choose family-friendly favourites such as Frosty the Snowman, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Nutcracker Ballet or check for free, public screenings at your local library or cultural centre.

6. Write to Santa. Send a real, old-fashioned letter and wish list to Santa. It only costs a stamp and Canada Post will send a response from Santa or Mrs. Claus in the North Pole. Many websites offer free, personalized, electronic greetings as well.

7. Bake treats to give as gifts to friends and family. Fill mason jars and decorate with festive-coloured bows and ribbons, or use plain white doilies and raffia ribbon for an easy, understated look.

8. Read holiday stories like The Polar Express or The Night Before Hanukkah while you cuddle up in front of a roaring fire and sip on mugs of hot apple cider.

9. Find your perfect tree. It may be a cute Charlie Brown one or a majestic evergreen, but looks don’t matter as long as everyone helped to find it. So, grab a permit and head out into the woods to hunt for your very own Christmas tree. It’s a wonderful tradition and something your kids will talk about for a long time to come.

10. Visit a holiday craft fair with grandma and grandpa. Browse the handmade items, sample some treats and maybe even sit on Santa’s knee.

Download a printable version of Christmas Fun Ideas and make your own list.