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Free Christmas activities for kids

Updated 30 October 2026 · By Rob and Chris, two Sheffield dads, and our families

You can fill the Christmas holidays with free things to do: a lights walk, a blanket den film night, paper decorations and a carol service or library event near you. Here are 26 ideas that cost nothing or close to it, with ages and times, a 5 minute version for busy days and a tick list to print.

Seadog the donkey points a torch at the path as he and Smudge the cat walk past houses and trees hung with Christmas lights on a clear evening.

What free Christmas activities can we do at home?

These use paper, tape, pens and things already in the house. Most take 10 to 20 minutes.

ActivityAgesTimeCostHow
Paper snowflakes5+ (a grown-up cuts for 3 and 4s)20 minFreeFold a square of paper into a triangle three times, snip bits off the edges, open it out.
Paper chains3+20 minFreeStrips of scrap paper or old wrapping paper, taped into loops.
Christmas charades4+15 minFreeAct out Santa stuck in a chimney, a sleepy reindeer, a melting snowman.
Indoor treasure hunt3+15 minFreeHide five things you already have. Give little ones three easy finds.
Kindness coupons4+15 minFree“One cup of tea in bed.” “I’ll feed the cat.” Give them as presents.
Blanket den film night3+An eveningFree with a film you have or one on TVBlankets over two chairs, cushions on the floor, lights off.
Living-room concert3+15 minFreePans and wooden spoons for drums. Everyone sings one carol.
Letter to Santa4+20 minFree to write; posting needs a stampLittle ones draw their wish. Older ones write about their year, not just a list.
Cards from scrap3+30 minFreeCereal-box card, old wrapping paper and felt tips.
Story by torchlight3+15 minFreeBorrow Christmas books from the library and read under the duvet with a torch.
Salt dough decorations4+1 hour, plus oven timeNearly free: flour, salt, waterRoll, cut shapes, poke a hole for ribbon. A grown-up does the oven.
Christmas joke night5+10 minFreeEveryone brings one joke to tea. Groans count as laughs.
Freeze dance3+10 minFreePlay Christmas songs. When the music stops, everyone freezes.
Draw the family as elves4+20 minFreePointy hats, big ears, everyone’s favourite jumper. Stick it on the fridge.
Wrapping paper collage3+20 minFreeSave scraps from wrapping and glue them into a winter picture.

What free Christmas things can we do out and about in the UK?

Times and dates change from town to town, so check locally before you set off.

ActivityAgesTimeCostHow
Christmas lights walk3+30 to 45 minFreeA short route you know, five things to spot. See our lights walk guide.
Your town’s lights switch-onAll agesAbout an hourFreeDates vary from town to town. Check your council’s website for the date.
Carol service or ChristingleAll agesAbout an hourFree; there may be a collectionCheck your local church’s website or noticeboard for carol and Christingle services.
Library Christmas events3+VariesFreeIn England, councils must lend books free of charge to people who live, work or study in the area. Some libraries run holiday crafts or story times, so ask at yours.
Walk round a Christmas marketAll agesAbout an hourFree to lookAgree a spending limit before you go, even if it is nothing.
A free museum or gallery5+2 hoursFree entry at manyThe 15 national museums and galleries sponsored by the government are free to enter, and some local ones are too. Some exhibitions charge, so check before you go.
junior parkrun4 to 14Sunday morningFreeA free 2k run for children aged 4 to 14 on Sunday mornings. Register first with parkrun.
Pine cone hunt3+30 minFreeCollect pine cones in the park, then paint or glitter them at home.
Winter nature spotting3+30 minFreeRobins, holly, frost on a spider’s web, your breath in the cold air.
See the big tree in townAll ages30 minFreeMake it a trip: count the baubles, guess how tall it is.
Deliver cards to neighbours4+20 minFreeHomemade cards through the doors on your street, with a grown-up.

The 5 minute versions, for busy school nights

  • Spot five lit-up windows on the way home.
  • One Christmas joke each at tea.
  • One song, everyone dances, freeze when it stops.
  • Add one loop a day to a paper chain.
  • One page of a Christmas book in a torch-lit den.

Keeping it safe

A grown-up does the cutting for young children and keeps sharp scissors out of reach. Keep small pieces such as beads, sequins, pom-poms and pine cone bits away from under-3s: anything smaller than a 2p coin can choke a young child. A grown-up does the oven for salt dough. Keep salt dough away from pets: the PDSA warns that a pet eating a lot of salt quickly, without water, can be fatally poisoned. At a Christingle service, a grown-up holds the lit candle with little ones. Do not eat holly or other berries you find. On walks near roads, hold hands with young children and wear something bright.

Stick it on the fridge and tick them off over the holidays.

Or use your browser’s Print. Only the list prints.

DoneFree thing to do
Lights walk
Paper snowflakes
Paper chain
Christmas charades
Treasure hunt
Kindness coupons
Blanket den film night
Living-room concert
Letter to Santa
Cards from scrap
Story by torchlight
Salt dough decorations
Joke night
Freeze dance
Draw the family as elves
Lights switch-on
Carol service
Library visit
Pine cone hunt
Cards for the neighbours
Famoo

Get the Famoo app Family life, sorted together. The family calendar, jobs and lists, shared by everyone at home.

QR code to join Famoo at app.famoo.app app.famoo.app

More ideas

Step-by-step guides for the crafts and games are on our Christmas activities page. Stuck indoors? Try our rainy day Christmas activities. Want one a day? Our 24-day Christmas countdown is free to print.

Questions parents ask

What can I do with my kids at Christmas for free?

Go on a Christmas lights walk, make paper snowflakes and paper chains, play charades, build a blanket den for a film you already have, and go to a free carol service, library event or lights switch-on near you. Most need only paper, tape and pens.

What free Christmas activities suit young children?

Our ideas start at age 3. For 3 to 5 year olds, choose ones where a grown-up does the tricky part and the child has one clear job: spotting lights, taping paper chain loops, a freeze dance or a treasure hunt with three easy finds. Keep small pieces away from under-3s.

Are museums free over Christmas?

The 15 national museums and galleries sponsored by the government are free to enter, and some local ones are too, though some exhibitions charge. Opening times change around Christmas, so check the museum’s website first.

How do I stop a free day out turning into spending?

Agree the plan before you leave: what you are going to do, and whether anyone is buying anything. Take a flask and snacks from home. A Christmas market is free to walk round if everyone knows that is the plan.

Want one of these ready for each day of December?

In Famoo, your family’s Advent calendar opens one door a day with that day’s activity, picture steps, an elf who reads each step aloud, and a part for each age, so brothers and sisters can do it together. Join the beta and choose your 24 from 46 activities.

Join the Famoo beta

Famoo is a family app for UK homes, in beta, so things may change.

Where this comes from

Each fact on this page links to one of these. Everything else is our own view from our families.

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