Today I am sharing with you 25 Almost Free Christmas Countdown Activities you can enjoy with your families as you celebrate the season!
Once December rolls around, our children cannot wait until I put up our Christmas Countdown Santa. This is a huge felt Santa that I transformed into an Advent Calendar by adding felt pockets with cutesy embellishments on Santa’s beard.
Each little pocket is filled with a simple, almost free family friendly event that is guaranteed to make tons of memories for you and your children.
The goal of all the free christmas countdown activities is to have a wonderful, fun filled holiday with your family without stressing you out or breaking the bank! This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to see my complete disclosure policy.
25 Almost Free Christmas Countdown Activities
1. Letter to Santa
Writing letters to Santa is always the first Christmas countdown activity. Santa (and this Mama) always needs a little guidance in the gift giving department.
In our family each child must ask for four things: something to wear, something to read, something they need, and something they really, really want. After these four things are listed I often encourage them to think of a few other items for family to buy.
Free printables are awesome and I love these three choices:
- Letter to Santa Free Printable from Uncommon Designs
- Free Printable Christmas Wishlist from What Mommy Does
- Free Printable Santa Letter from Simplistically Living
2. Rudolph Pancake Night
None of us can deny that many of our Christmas memories involve certain tv shows and movies. Our Christmas countdown schedule always plans around when our favorite holiday shows will air.
“Rudolph” is usually one of the first and we celebrate the night be having Rudolph pancakes for dinner.
The reindeer’s head and antlers are pancakes (or bacon if you’ve like). After the pancakes have cooled a bit the children use chocolate chips for the mouth and eyes. Of course, Rudolph’s nose is a maraschino cherry.
Plus who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner?
3. Inside Snow Throw
Honey’s mother loved the look of fluffy snow on her Christmas trees. We continue the tradition by having an Inside Snow Throw Party with a couple of bags of plastic snowflakes. It only cost a few dollars a bag and really gives our Christmas tree the “snowy” look we love.
4. Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting
We are so lucky to have a fantastic downtown that hosts a community Christmas tree lighting each year. There’s carols to sing, cookies to eat, and hot chocolate to enjoy. It’s all free!
5. Gingerbread Houses
Building a gingerbread house is every kid’s dream. Our boys love gluing the house together with icing while Tootsie loves placing each candy exactly where she wants it.
Since we have three children our one house has turned into a small gingerbread village.
Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
- Mini Village Gingerbread House Kit ~ our favorite since we have 3 kiddos
- Gingerbread Train Kit
- Gingerbread Tree Kit
The bonus is they get to eat their creations!
6. Slumber Party Under the Christmas Tree
Grab the sleeping bags and set up camp under the glowing light of the Christmas tree. This is one Christmas countdown activity that will guarantee they go to bed early.
Notice I said go to “bed” not actually sleep.
7. Letter to Santa asking for Elf
Our family got our elf, Herbie, way before The Elf on the Shelf made his debut. Santa sends our mischievous elf to our home after we write a letter asking for him. We make a big production of writing the letter and placing it in the mailbox.
Our mail lady knows Santa’s address by heart, don’t you know?
Here’s a picture of Herbie with our Snow Throw Party material!
8. Visit Santa
Take a holiday field trip to the closest mall to let your little ones visit with Santa. You can choose to pay for pictures but hugs are free!
9. Gingerbread Man
The preschool teacher in me loves to read aloud to my children. “The Gingerbread Man” is one of our favorites and after we finish the book we head to the kitchen to bake up our own gingerbread man using this Giant Gingerbread Boy Cookie Pan.
This gingerbread boy pan is much loved in our house. They can’t wait until the day when we work together to bake and decorate him!
10. “Santa Clause” Movie and Snack Necklaces
I have to admit each of the “Santa Clause” movies hold a sweet place in my heart. These movies were on a 24 hour repeat during our first mountain trip when the littles were really little.
Every time I watch them I remember snuggling with my babies.
To make the movie extra fun we create snack necklaces with Fruit Loops and a few other candies suitable for stringing on yarn.
11. Local Christmas Lights Display
In addition to the downtown tree lighting ceremony, there are nearby gardens that have lighted holiday displays. There is over a mile of pathways illuminated to create a holiday fantasy land. Of course, it is free to the community.
Do a little research in your hometown to see what free christmas countdown activities are available.
13. Hallmark’s NorthPole Communicator*
This is something we started using last year, and it is SO fun! It’s a product that is part of Hallmark’s Northpole line, and it’s something we’ve really enjoyed doing each morning before the children go to school.
Basically, every day from December 1st to December 25th, you can call the North Pole and talk with Santa, Mrs. Claus, or one of the elves. The person you are talking to is obviously a recording, but it was created very cleverly so when you answer a question, their response is pretty spot on to whatever you said. You can get a different cartridge each year, so there’s definitely responses every year.
You can read more about Hallmark’s Northpole Communicator {here}.
14. Bake Treats for Neighbors
Baking with children is definitely a great way to make memories and spend the day.
Just remember: don’t try to recreate a Pinterest masterpiece with the children flinging flour all over the kitchen.
15. Neighborhood Caroling
After we bake treats for our neighbors, we sing our way down the street as we deliver the goodies. Truth be told, last year all our caroling consisted of one song: Jingle Bells!
Maybe this year I can talk them into adding “Here Comes Santa Claus” to our songlist.
16. “Frosty” Night with Ice Cream Floats
Celebrate watching Frosty the Snowman with yummy ice cream floats for dessert. The children will love you for it! One of our kids favorite free christmas countdown activities.
17. Christmas Drive Scavenger Hunt
Oh my goodness! Our children loved this free christmas countdown activities!
With hot chocolate and wearing our pajamas, we go searching for all the signs of Christmas we can find. Just like with the kids’ Christmas list I wrote and drew simple pictures for specific items for us to find.
A few things we looked for were:
- Baby Jesus
- Rudolph
- Snowmen
- A Christmas Tree
- Colored lights
This year I am going to take a drive around the neighborhood so I know exactly what we need to look for. This will prevent our family riding around for a hour looking for a Santa Snoopy that can’t be found.
Here’s a few FREE printables you might enjoy:
- Christmas Scavenger Hunt from Stuffed Suitcase
- Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt from All for the Boys
- Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt Printable from Create Craft Love
18. “Elf” Movie and Coke Guzzling Contest
Before we sit down to watch Elf, we have a Coke Guzzling Contest just like Buddy. Whoever can drink the most wins!
Yep. They loved this one too!
19. Handmade Cards for Neighbors and Teachers
Using colored papers, paint, and stickers the children will make handmade cards for their favorite people. Again this is not the time to create a Pinterest masterpiece.
Just let them go with the art materials!
20. Decorate an Outside Tree
The sweet birds and other wildlife get hungry during the winter months. Make their Christmas by decorating an outside tree with rice cakes smeared with peanut butter and covered with bird seed.
21. Snowflake Party
Just a handful of coffee filters and safety scissors are all they will need to make a snowflake party! Snow is pretty rare in South Carolina so they loved decorating with their one of a kind creations.
We also love using coffee filters to make Easy Christmas Ornaments. It’s a simple holiday craft for kids!
22. Hometown Christmas Parade
Who doesn’t love a parade? Check around your community to see when one will be held.
23. Super Spy Christmas Shopping
This is SO much fun! The entire family goes shopping but split into teams once we arrive at the store. One boy goes with Honey while the other two come with me. Their mission is to buy a Christmas gifts for each other and the other parent without getting caught!
We always give them a small budget and a list of suggested items to purchase. This will hopefully make the shopping trip as efficient as possible.
The boys really got into Super Spy Shopping last year! I wish I had a picture of them slinking around corners trying not to be seen by their brother.
24. Christmas Tree Desserts
Sugar ice cream cones. Green icing. Candy. Serious fun!
25. Surprise Snowballs
All you need for this fun Christmas countdown activity is a package of white streamers, small toys, and candy. The goal is to make a snowball as you wrap goodies inside the streamer.
To find each goodie, the children unwrap the snowball. So much fun! {Click here} to find out exactly how to make these DIY Christmas Gifts for Kids!
26. Birthday Cake for Baby Jesus!
The real reason for the season is Christ’s birth. We celebrate by baking a birthday cake for Baby Jesus!
I hope all of these Almost Free Christmas Countdown Activities will keep your little ones excited about the holiday.
If you have more ideas to add to this Almost Free Christmas Countdown, I would love to hear about them. I’ve got my list started for this year’s fun but am always looking for more suggestions.
Now… Go make memories with your children and Merry Christmas!
Holiday decorating on a budget is one of my favorite things!
Love money saving holiday decor? Check out these DIY projects!
Holiday Decorating on a Budget
- Snowflake Plate Charger ~ It’s a Dollar Store Project!
- How to make a Holiday Bow {easiest bow tutorial ever!}
- Barnwood Christmas Tree Box ~ perfect farmhouse style!
- No-sew Pet Stockings – awesome gift for Pet Lovers!
- Semi-homemade Christmas Tree Skirt
DIY Christmas Ornaments
- Inexpensive Snowflake Ornaments from Coffee Filters
- Do-It-Yourself Pet Silhouettes ~ awesome gift for Pet Lovers!
- Paint Brush Santas ~ Homemade Christmas Ornaments
DIY Christmas Gifts to Make
- Disney Inspired Ribbon Tassel Keychain ~ personalize it!
- Simple Deer Silhouette String Art
- Horse String Art Project
- Upcycled Painted Clutch with Fabric Flower ~ fancy enough for a night out on the town!
More Christmas Decorating Ideas to Enjoy!
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Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and/or is a sponsored post. I may receive compensation in the form of monetary compensation or product compensation in exchange for my review. I take pride in reviewing only products that fit my brand and will be beneficial to my readers. And while this post is sponsored or contains affiliate links, all the opinions are my own. Why do I do this? It will help me keep this DIY’ing Mama crafting for another day! For more on my disclosure policy click here.
I love to do these things too. I want our kids to know that it is all about the season and not about what we get. You have some great ideas here!
The Elf Coke Guzzling Contest was our favorite last year! Thanks for the comment love!
~ Ashley
Such great ideas! The surprise snowball was a huge hit in our house last year. I am excited to start our list!
I love these. We need to start a few of these now and some when my little ones get just a little older. Thanks for the great ideas. Pinned!
This is a wonderful list, Ashley, and your neighborhood sounds like so much fun! Thanks for the great ideas. 🙂
I love this post! My daughter and I are so excited for Christmas!
So is my little girl! Best Christmas wishes!
~ Ashley
What a great list! My kids are still too young to really get Christmas yet (they’re 5months and 17 months) but that won’t stop this mama from trying! Haha.
Little ones are so much fun at the holidays! Best wishes!
~ Ashley
These are all great ideas! That Santa advent calendar is so cute! Pinning! Thanks for all the fun ideas!
These are great ideas. My brother and I always slept in the living room with the tree at least once every year. It was one of our favorite things to do.
I found you on the One Project at a Time linkup.
So excited you stumbled upon my blog and these Christmas countdown activities!
~ Ashley
I love these ideas! Especially, the pancakes and the gingerbread man. I really like your felt Santa as well. This Christmas will be my kiddo’s first Christmas so I’m definitely looking to find some traditions we can start for our family. I’m not too big on the Elf on the Shelf thing. I didn’t do that, so I don’t know much about it, but it might be something fun to try.
I like your ideas! 🙂
Thanks so much, Sarah! Making Christmas memories with little ones is so much fun!
~ Ashley
These are such fun ideas!! I will need to bookmark this. I have a 1 year old who may be too young to understand this year…but for the coming years, I can’t wait to try these with him!
Bookmark. Pin. Share. Spread the love! 😉
~ Ashley
These are great ideas! pinning!
Thanks so much for the pin! Our children love these simple activities.
~ Ashley
I love the rudolph pancake idea. That’s so cute! One of my favorite things to do around Christmastime when I was younger was to drive around the neighborhood and look at all the Christmas lights. Some people go above and beyond, and I love it!
They love the rudolph pancakes so much! Our little one is already asking for them.
~ Ashley
These are great ideas and I love that you have so many unique ones! I’m writing a series for December and I’m going to try and work in a link to this page of yours, so be on the lookout for some new visitors!
YAY! I would love for you to use my post and send some visitors my way! 😉
~ Ashley
What great ideas! Love those pancakes. I miss my kids being little, enjoy them!
I am trying to soak up every bit of their little-ness. Our oldest is 10 and I know these days are numbered. Makes me so sad. 🙁
~ Ashley
I had an “elf on the shelf” with my school kids long before the real ELF came around too…we should be millionaire authors too 🙂
what a bunch of neat and economical ways to get crafty and have fun!! <3 thanks for sharing.
YAY! I’m so excited you love our Christmas Countdown list.
~ Ashley
These are great! Featuring you this wee at Friday Favorites!
These are some great ideas! I really love those rudolph pancakes, so cute! And sleeping by the tree would be so much fun, and a great idea for a yearly tradition. Thanks for sharing at DDT!
Such cute ideas Ashley! Love hearing about your adventures…just wish they were still happening here! The “littles” look so big now! We miss you guys! Merry Christmas to all.
HEY! It’s so wonderful to hear from you, Patti!
My littles are getting bigger each and every day. Give your sweet boy a big hug from all of us and Merry Christmas!
~ Ashley
Oooh I like these ideas 🙂 My favourites would have to be the reindeer pancakes, and the scavenger hunt!
Those are my kiddos favorites too! One of our sons asked me to make reindeer pancakes this morning. It’s become a Christmas tradition they look forward to each year.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! Merry Christmas!
My family does not get out much and I looked up this list and I found all these fun Idea’s and to be honest my favorite was the secret spy christmas shopping that seems like a lot of fun I have got to get my family to try it out.