24 Christmas Activities for Preschoolers

A few years ago I made an advent calendar (see my post on how I made in here) with an activity for my daughters and I to do together each day leading up to Christmas. It has been a great way to cross off everything on our holiday bucket list, be intentional about spending time together as a family, and get all of those little tasks (like decorating, shopping, and cooking) done without them feeling too much like chores. Every year I change my list based on whatever stage the girls are in developmentally, so this year (now that the girls are almost 5) the list has changed again. Today I wanted to share my list with you, and hopefully give you some ideas of low-key, fun things you can do with your young children to enjoy the season together!

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First, here's my list (in no particular order):

1. Put up the Christmas tree
2. Put out the nativity scenes
3. Put up (and decorate) the felt Christmas tree
4. Put up Christmas lights around the house and on the tree
5. Hang ornaments on the Christmas tree
6. Make a wreath to hang on the front door
7. Bake Christmas (sugar) cookies
8. Make a gingerbread house
9. Hang the stockings
10. Make Christmas cards
11. Deliver Christmas cards (in the mail and in person)
12. Shop for presents
13. Wrap presents
14. Take family pictures
15. Call family and friends to wish them a Merry Christmas
16. Make paper snowflakes and hang them up around the house
17. Color/decorate a paper gingerbread man
18. Go see Santa
19. Sing as many Christmas carols in a row as we can
20. Watch a Christmas movie in our pajamas
21. Read Christmas books (including one new one)
22. Eat candy canes
23. Drink hot chocolate with all the fixings
24. Drive through the local light display to see the Christmas lights

Here's my list from last year, and the one from 2 years ago, if you're interested!

The supplies I'm gathering now so I don't have to scramble in the middle of December:
1. wrapping paper (and ribbon/tape/gift tags) - I get ours at the Dollar Tree every year
2. sugar cookie ingredients (here's a good recipe)
3. gingerbread house kit (I got this one last year and will again)
4. a new Christmas book (I'm getting this one this year)
5. candy canes
6. hot chocolate ingredients (here's my favorite crockpot recipe)

If you're interested, here are some things I'll be bringing out again that I've bought in past years:
1. Books: This is the Stable (my all-time favorite), The Night Before Christmas (classic)
2. Felt Christmas tree (I got something like this at Target a few years ago)

What are some of your favorite Christmas activities to share with your family? I absolutely love this time of year and would love to hear what you all are doing!

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