Need some family Christmas activities? Want to foster Christmas family fun this holiday season? Then keep reading for seven simple ideas that will help!
“Can we decorate Christmas cookies?”
“Do you think it’ll snow on Christmas Eve?”
“I wonder what’s in those boxes under the tree!”
Amid all the decorations and goodies, parties and presents, Jesus is the greatest gift. He’s just waiting for people to see and know him. So help families unwrap the most glorious gift—Jesus.
Use these crafts, activities, and games to host an outreach event for families. Children and parents can rediscover the miracle of Christmas and keep Jesus at the center of the busy holiday season.
7 Bible-Based Family Christmas Activities
Set up all, a few, or even one of these stations at your church. Then invite families to experience the anticipation, excitement, and wonder of Christmas.
1. Follow the Star
Families can journey together to arrive at a birthday celebration for Jesus.
You’ll need:
- Bible (try this kid-friendly one!)
- host dressed in a shepherd’s costume
- glow-in-the-dark stars
- 1 large star cutout
- nativity set
- birthday cake
- matches
- 3 candles
Before families arrive, make a trail of stars. You’ll need to make a starting point, three middle stopping points, and an ending point. Place the appropriate characters and animals from the nativity at the corresponding stops.
Greet families when they arrive. Announce that something exciting has happened, but to find out what it is, they must follow the stars.
Starting Point
Let children discover Mary and Joseph and read aloud Luke 2:1-5. Have children carry the figurines to the next stop.
First Stop
Let children locate the stable and animals at this stop. Read aloud Luke 2:6-7. Continue following the path of stars with the animals in tow.
Second Stop
Let children locate the angel and a shepherd at this point. Read Luke 2:8-20, then continue down the path.
Third Stop
Children will find the wise men here. Read aloud Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 before continuing.
Final Stop
Families will find the large star hanging over the cake with three candles and the baby Jesus. Explain that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth. Light the three candles, representing these things:
- The Star of Bethlehem shone brightly over baby Jesus.
- Jesus, the Light of the World, was born into a dark night.
- God wants us to be a light for others and show them the way to Jesus.
Close by singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus and sharing the cake.
2. Christmas Star Search
Families search for the baby Jesus in a maze of stars.
You’ll need:
- large manger with a doll wrapped in a blanket
- glow-in-the-dark stars
- fishing line
- scissors
- a flashlight
- preprinted discussion sheets
- glow-in-the-dark star for each person to take home
Choose a room in your church that can be made dark. Place the manger with the doll in a corner far from the room entrance. Spread glow-in-the-dark stars on the floor and hang them from the ceiling using fishing line. Attach a large star to the manger. Turn off the lights.
Let’s Talk
Challenge families to find their way through the stars until they find the manger. Then have them turn on their flashlights while they talk about the activity. Use the following preprinted discussion questions.
- Was it easy or difficult to find the baby Jesus? Explain.
- How is this activity like or unlike searching for Jesus today?
- How can we learn about Jesus?
- What can we do to help others learn about Jesus?
Give each person a glow-in-the-dark star to take home.
Say: Place this star next to your bed to remind you that Jesus is the light of the world who helps people learn about God.
