11 Fun Christmas Activities for Families at Home
It’s the Christmas holidays! The kids are on half term (and you’re exhausted), getting ready for Father Christmas to visit. It’s cold outside, and you’re looking for fun, cost-effective activities to keep everyone happy and engaged.
The children are fed up with the “tidy-up races” or dishwashing contests—this year, let’s dive into activities that are creative, memorable, cost-effective, and make this time together a little more magical.
Go for a Wintry Walk to Boost Holiday Spirit
Winter walks are a great way to refresh and reconnect with nature. So why not bundle everyone up and head out to explore your local area? To make it extra fun, turn it into a scavenger hunt for the kids! Challenge them to spot specific trees, find pinecones, or track down animal footprints. When everyone’s back home, reward your little explorers with a mug of hot chocolate.
If you’re local to River Cottage, take a stroll around the beautiful Trinity Hill nature reserve. And when you’re ready to warm up, pop into the River Cottage Kitchen & Store for a cosy coffee and a slice of cake.
Plan a Cosy Winter Picnic for Family Fun
Picnics aren’t just for summer! Grab some blankets, pack a thermos of soup or mulled cider, and set up a cosy spot in your backyard or at a nearby park. Bring along sandwiches, treats, and maybe a warm tart to keep everyone satisfied. If there’s space, pack some lawn games—frisbee and tag are just as fun in the colder months!
For an extra touch, why not include our warming Squash, Apple, and Chilli Soup or our ever-popular Big Sausage Rolls in your picnic?
Create the Ultimate DIY Hot Chocolate
There’s nothing better than curling up with a warm mug of hot chocolate. Make it extra special by letting everyone build their own! Set out toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint sticks, festive spice mix, and chocolate shavings—white, dark, or milk. Pair your creations with a Christmas movie marathon featuring classics like Elf, Home Alone, or The Polar Express.
For a spicy twist, try our Mermaid’s Hot Chocolate—perfect for warming up after a sea swim or a brisk winter walk!
Craft Homemade Christmas Cards Using Natural Materials
Gather leaves, pinecones, or twigs and turn them into beautiful Christmas cards. Cut cardboard into card shapes, glue on your natural finds, and paint designs. Bonus: These can double as unique gift tags for presents.
Transform Old Boxes with Imagination
Don’t recycle those holiday delivery boxes just yet! Turn them into castles, play kitchens, robots, or anything else your child imagines. Crafting with cardboard encourages creativity while keeping kids busy for hours.
Skeleton Leaf Art Creations
Head outdoors to collect skeleton leaves (leaves that have naturally decomposed until their veiny skeletons are visible). These delicate pieces make stunning crafts. Use them to make art, create prints, or add elegance to DIY cards.
Teaching Kids to Give Back
Make Christmas even more meaningful by teaching your children the importance of giving. Encourage them to donate toys they no longer use, explaining how their gifts can brighten another child’s holiday. You could also pack a shoebox with small toys, books, and essentials for a charitable cause. A helpful tip: try to do this before Christmas, so the items can be available as affordable gifts for others.
In addition to toy donations, consider reaching out to your local food or housing charity to see what they need this festive season. You could donate food, toiletries, or even your time by helping to sort donations, prepare packages, or assist in kitchens.
At River Cottage, we’re passionate about giving back. Each year, our team donates items from both our farm and our homes to Project Food, a local charity we proudly support. Look out for the Christmas tree going up in the Kitchen & Store—we’ll be collecting donations!
Admire the Christmas Lights in Your Area
Take a walk or drive around your town to marvel at the holiday lights. Choose a street known for its displays, pack some snacks, and enjoy the glow. This can be an annual tradition that everyone looks forward to.
Christmas Baking Day
Set aside a special day for festive baking with your family! Whip up batches of cookies, gingerbread men, and yule logs, and let your creativity run wild with icing, sprinkles, and edible decorations. The highlight of the day? Savouring your delicious creations together!
Need some inspiration for your holiday treats? Check out our favourite festive bakes here, including recipes for:
- Tom’s Cheese Straws
- Christmas Tree Biscuits
- Chestnut and Chocolate Cake
- Rich Winter Pudding with Boozy Chocolate
- Chocolate Ginger Digestives
- Chocolate and Orange Brioche
- Big Sausage Rolls
- Chestnut Florentines
- Christmas Pudding
- Leek and Dorset Blue Vinny Tart
Indoor Christmas Treasure Hunt
Design a treasure hunt with holiday-themed clues hidden around your home. Small prizes and a final “Christmas treasure” at the end make it exciting. It’s a great way to beat the cold and keep the kids entertained.
Craft Your Own Christmas Ornaments
Use household items like paper, fabric scraps, or even leftover ribbon to make ornaments. Personalise your tree with these one-of-a-kind decorations. They’ll make future holidays extra special when you remember making them together.
Christmas is all about joy, connection, and creating cherished memories. Sure, extravagant outings can be fun, but nothing beats the warmth of gathering together, crafting, exploring, and just enjoying each other’s company. This holiday season, why not embrace the simple pleasures and make every moment count?
And of course, we’d love to see you at the farm! We’ve got plenty of festive feasts, cooking courses, and our cafe is open daily—except Christmas, when we’ll be getting merry with our families too.
Looking for more inspiration for Christmas cooking and crafting? Check out our River Cottage Christmas Book!
