Keeping Kids Engaged Over Christmas Break: Fun Activities for the Whole Family
Christmas break is a magical time for children, filled with excitement, holiday traditions, and—let’s be honest—plenty of energy to burn. But after the gifts are unwrapped and the first flurry of holiday cheer settles, parents often find themselves wondering how to keep the kids entertained (and off the screens) for the rest of the break.
Whether you’re looking for creative indoor activities, outdoor winter adventures, or festive family outings, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of this special time. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best activities for families here locally, helping you create cherished memories while keeping your little ones engaged and active throughout the holiday season.
Stay tuned for local event highlights, simple craft ideas, and tips to transform your winter break into an unforgettable celebration!
Day Camp’s & Play Places
White House
- The Wreck Room is an affordable indoor play space designed for children of all ages to enjoy! This holiday break, they’re offering extended hours, making it easier than ever to bring the fun indoors. Visit them on Facebook
Hendersonville
- Get ready for a colorful holiday adventure at Painting with a Twist! This holiday break, they’re hosting a three-day Kids Camp filled with creativity, fun, and plenty of painting magic—perfect for kids ages 6-13. Drop them off from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for a morning of artistic excitement while you check off your to-do list. Don’t miss out—join the fun on December 23rd, 30th, or January 2nd! Visit their Website
- Flip, tumble, and leap into fun at Gymini Athletics this holiday season! Open year-round, this kids' gymnastics and tumbling gym is hosting an exciting Holiday Camp perfect for ages 4-13. Camps run from 9 AM to 3 PM on December 23rd, 27th, 30th, and January 2nd, 3rd, and 6th. It's the perfect way for kids to stay active, make friends, and have a blast during the holiday break!. Visit their Website
- Get ready for nonstop fun at All Air Extreme! This action-packed trampoline park features a ninja course, arcade, and so much more—perfect for burning off energy and escaping the house for an adventure. It’s a blast for the whole family! Just remember, adult supervision is required at all times to keep the excitement safe. Visit their Website
- Get ready for nonstop holiday fun at Strike & Spare and Circus World—the ultimate destination for action-packed entertainment! From bowling and laser tag to arcade games, roller skating, bumper cars, and beyond, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Grab a wristband for UNLIMITED thrills, including bungee jumping, laser tag, Time Freak, roller skating, Lazer Frenzy, the VR roller coaster, and bumper cars. Plus, every wristband includes one FREE game of bowling with shoe rental! It’s the perfect place to let loose, laugh, and make unforgettable holiday memories. Don’t miss out—strike up the fun this holiday break! Visit their Website
Goodlettsville/Madison
- Let the holiday fun begin at We Rock the Spectrum—the ultimate indoor gym for kids of all ages and abilities to play, explore, and let their imaginations soar! This year, they’re turning up the excitement with their Holiday Break Camp, offering action-packed days filled with fun, movement, and creativity. Camps are available on December 23rd, 26th, 27th, 30th, and January 2nd and 3rd, making it the perfect way to keep your kids active and entertained during the holiday season. Whether they’re climbing, swinging, or engaging in sensory-friendly activities, your little ones will have a blast while making new friends. Don't miss out on this inclusive and joyful holiday experience! Visit Them on Facebook
- Get ready for a dino-mite adventure at Lost World Dinotopia this Christmas break! It’s the perfect place to get the kids out of the house and into a world of prehistoric fun. With thrilling dinosaur-themed attractions, interactive exhibits, and plenty of space to explore, your little ones will be roaring with excitement. Whether they’re uncovering fossils, climbing through dino-inspired play areas, or meeting life-size dinos, there’s something for every young adventurer to enjoy. Don’t miss out on the chance to make this holiday break unforgettable—let the Jurassic-sized fun begin!
Lebanon
- Looking for the perfect spot to get out of the house, play, and connect with other families? Look no further than The Village Play Place! With exciting, age-specific play areas designed for kids from newborns to age 11, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether your little one is exploring, climbing, or making new friends, it’s a fun-filled destination where imaginations run wild and connections grow. Bring your family and join the fun today! Visit Them on Facebook
Fun at Home
Crafting and Snacking:
Building a Gingerbread Masterpiece
There’s nothing quite like a holiday craft that doubles as a tasty treat! Gingerbread house kits, widely available at most supermarkets during the holidays, are a delightful way to combine creativity and festive fun. While these kits typically include the essentials to build the structure—four walls and a roof—you can make the activity even more magical by adding a personal touch. A quick trip to the candy aisle can provide an array of extra goodies to help your child create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Here are some sweet suggestions for enhancing your gingerbread house with popular candies:
- Plain or peanut butter M&M’s: Perfect for colorful roof tiles or decorative details.
- Gumdrops: Ideal for vibrant roof accents or garden paths.
- Small candy canes: Great for framing doorways or creating festive fences.
- Shredded coconut: Sprinkle on the roof for a snowy effect or dye it green to create a grassy yard.
- Pretzel sticks: Use them for fences, shutters, or even as logs for a rustic cabin vibe.
- Red vines: Their flexibility makes them great for wrapping around edges or adding flair to corners.
- Marshmallows: Stack them to make snowmen or scatter them as snowy bundles around the yard.
With a little imagination (and some tasty treats), building a gingerbread house becomes a creative and delicious holiday tradition the whole family will enjoy!
Host a Candy Cane Hunt
Turn a classic Easter tradition into a festive holiday adventure with a Candy Cane Hunt! This fun activity is perfect for keeping kids entertained and spreading Christmas cheer. Simply hide candy canes throughout your house or yard, and let the kids search high and low to find them. To make it even more exciting, enlist an older sibling to help hide the candy canes in creative spots.
Have the kids collect their finds in Christmas stockings or baskets, and consider adding a little friendly competition—award a small prize for the most candy canes found, or give bonus points for finding specially marked ones. It’s a simple yet memorable way to celebrate the season!
Cozy Up with a Fort and Watch Movies
Transform a simple movie night into an unforgettable adventure by building a cozy fort with your family! Gather blankets, pillows, and twinkling string lights to create a magical hideaway in your living room. Once the fort is complete, pick a lineup of classic movies or new favorites to enjoy together. Don’t forget to stock up on snacks like popcorn, cookies, and hot cocoa to complete the experience. Whether you’re laughing along with a holiday comedy or sharing a sentimental moment over a timeless tale, this snug family activity is the perfect way to create cherished memories during Christmas break.
Start a Reading Challenge
Read a set number of books each day. Barnes and Noble has loads of FREE e-books.
Plan a Playdate
Kids often miss their friends during the break, so why not plan a playdate to keep the fun going? Invite a friend or two over and connect with their parents to arrange a playdate. It’s a great way to get your child out of the house and enjoy some social time during the holidays.
Have a Game Day
Turn your day into a game-filled adventure! Pick out a few classic board games or dive into a new card game that everyone can learn together. From friendly competition to silly challenges, fill the day with laughter and excitement as you switch from one game to the next. Whether you're strategizing in a game of Monopoly or teaming up for a fast-paced round of Uno, there's endless fun to be had. It's the perfect way to bond, stay entertained, and make unforgettable memories with the whole family!
Outings & Community Events
Check out the schedule at your local library
You’re sure to find a craft hour or story time. Leaving the house is always nice when you have the kids home for a couple weeks over break! The Macaroni Kid calendar will have most of the community events in your area just one click away. Community Events Calendar
Write a Letter to Santa
Let the kids spend some time writing and coloring a beautiful letter to Santa. Then load everyone up in the car to mail it out. This article has most of the local mailing locations available. Santa Letter Mailing Locations
Give Back
- Bake or purchase some cookies and visit a local nursing home. It’s never too early to teach your kiddos to give back and be kind to others. They can spend some time delivering little gifts to each resident. It’s always advised to call ahead and make sure this is ok, you’ll also want to find out who has food allergies or restrictions.
- Find a local dog shelter and volunteer to walk dogs or whatever else they may need.
- See if your local food bank allows families with children to volunteer.
Get Outside
Take a nature walk! We are blessed to have mild winters in middle TN. Bring some tape and make a bracelet with the sticky side out. Have the kids create a nature bracelet by sticking things they find to the outside of the tape. Afterwards reward yourself with some hot cocoa to warm up.
Crafts
Craft Homemade Christmas Cards
Have the kids color and craft Christmas cards for the entire family, this is sure to occupy them for hours. Once they are done make a big deal out of a trip to the post office.
Get Creative with Pine Cone Decorations
Pine cones are nature’s gift to holiday crafting, and they’re perfect for a fun and festive Christmas activity with your kids. Whether you gather them from the outdoors during a crisp autumn walk or pick up a bag at the local craft store, these little treasures make a wonderful canvas for your child’s creativity.
Set up a crafting station with some of these decorating supplies:
- Glitter: Add sparkle for a magical holiday touch.
- Glue: Essential for attaching all the fun embellishments.
- Colorful cotton balls: Use them to create a whimsical, snowy effect.
- Paint: Brighten up the pine cones with vibrant holiday colors.
- Ribbon: Wrap around for an elegant finish or to create hanging ornaments.
- Beads: String them onto the pine cone’s scales for extra flair.
- Googly eyes: Bring your pine cones to life as playful characters.
Once decorated, these pine cones can be used as ornaments, centerpiece decorations, or simply as festive keepsakes. It’s a hands-on way to spark creativity and get into the holiday spirit!
Make New Years Eve Decorations
- Tape some pics of paper together and let them color a banner
- Glue some bells to popsicle sticks and create your own noise makers
- Get some elastic string and cardstock and let the kids glue poms and sting to them or color their own cone party hats
If you know of any local businesses offering camps or activities during Christmas break that parents would love to hear about, please email Hillarie at hillarief@macaronikid.com.
