Fun and Budget-Friendly Family Holiday Activities
Looking for fun and budget-friendly family holiday activities? There are plenty of options to choose from that will keep the whole family entertained. One great option is to plan a day trip to a nearby state park or nature reserve. You can pack a picnic lunch, go on a hike, and enjoy the great outdoors together. Another idea is to have a family game night, complete with board games and snacks. You can also explore your local community by visiting a museum, attending a free concert or festival, or taking a self-guided walking tour. With a little creativity, you can plan a memorable family holiday without breaking the bank.
Visit Santa
A visit to Santa is a must-do holiday activity for every family. It’s affordable, and your kids will be happy to have their picture taken with him.
Visit Santa at Empire Outlets in Staten Island. You can make a reservation or walk in and they also offer sensory-friendly visits for kids with special needs.
If your baby has a wet bottom or is messy, let the photographer know so they can take a clean photo of him. This will be appreciated by the staff and parents alike.
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Sleep Under the Tree
Sleeping under the tree is fun and relaxing, and it’s also a great way to connect with nature. However, it’s not safe if there are carnivorous animals that live in the area, and it’s dangerous in cold temperatures because you could suffer hypothermia.
Pack a lunch and take the kids for a drive to see holiday lights. Then, encourage them to donate their old toys to a local children’s shelter. The experience will teach them the importance of giving back.
Go Shopping
Whether your family likes to shop in the city or browse the local mall, holiday shopping is a fun activity for all ages. Your kids can also enjoy helping you choose the perfect gifts for loved ones this season.
Picture sessions with Santa can break your budget, but you can find some free opportunities to snap photos of your little ones with the big man himself.
Gather your family in the car and blast your favorite Christmas tunes as you drive around to check out neighborhood lights. You can even turn this into a contest to see who has the best or most creative display.
Have a Movie Night
A good movie is an excellent way to get the whole family together. Watching a movie together is great for bonding and will help to create memories that last a lifetime.
Choose a theme and use food, decorations, and other activities to immerse yourself in the film. For instance, if you're watching The Secret Life of Pets on NOW TV, make it a themed night by setting up a red-checked tablecloth and using bandanas as napkins.
Make popcorn a staple of your movie night and offer different varieties like salted, buttered, cheesy, and caramel. You can also serve other common movie snacks like candy and pretzels.
Bake Cookies
Baking cookies is one of the best holiday family activities that doesn’t require a lot of money. This is a fun activity that you can do as a family and it will create memories for years to come.
For an added twist, make the cookies and then donate them to nursing homes, hospitals, and veterans organizations. Spreading holiday cheer to those in need is an excellent way for families to bond and stay warm at the same time.
Go to the Library
Your library is more than a place to check out books. It is an educational destination that teaches children the value of giving and receiving.
In addition to books, most libraries offer other things like cake pans, instruments, tools, museum passes, and more. It's also a good place to teach kids about money and math.
Schedule a weekly "date" with your child to go to the library. This helps her to anticipate the fun and will teach her sequencing skills.
Sing Together
Singing together is an activity that creates powerful memories and helps form bonds with family members for years to come. It's also an easy way to cultivate gratitude - ask your kids to sing their favorite holiday songs for neighbors, frontline workers, and veterans.
Many towns, cities, and neighborhoods have a tree lighting event that's a fun place to bring the whole family together. Afterward, go shopping for the perfect Christmas tree!
Go Ice Skating
New York City is a magical place to be during the holidays. From picture-perfect Christmas trees to dazzling window displays, holiday shows to ice skating rinks, there is something for every family to enjoy.
Take a spin on the iconic Rockefeller Center rink or Central Park's Wollman Rink to glide amid stunning backdrops. Alternatively, head to Austin's downtown ice rink for a low-key experience with skyline views.
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Go Sleigh Rides
Sleigh rides are a fun and unique way to get into the holiday spirit. Many locations offer sleigh rides with a sweeping view of the winter landscape and others provide a chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat.
Visit Coppal House Farm for a sleigh ride with a difference. Each sleigh can hold up to 15 people and families are encouraged to tour the farm and interact with animals during their experience.
Have an Ugly Sweater Party
Throwing an ugly sweater party is a fun way to make your holiday parties more memorable. Start by inviting guests with a festive e-vite.
Consider adding a few prizes for categories like the most festive, oldest, or ugliest sweater. Set up a runway and host an ugly sweater fashion show.
For food, serve foods like red and green Jell-O shots and pigs in blankets shaped like Christmas wreaths. Decorate your venue with tacky holiday decorations like wrapping paper wallpaper and tinsel.
Have a Snowball Fight
The classic snowy winter game is a great way to get the whole family involved. Just make sure you set some ground rules and have some winner's prizes, like a canister of hot chocolate.
Try a snowball relay race or a game of sock snowballs. These are simple, inexpensive, and fun for all ages. Also, try a winter scavenger hunt that’s easy for toddlers to play with.
Have a Family Movie Night
A family movie night is an easy and fun way to spend time together. Create a cozy atmosphere with dim lights, warm blankets, and plenty of snacks for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re looking for a fun film to watch with the whole family, try Kubo and the Two Strings. This is an adventure-packed animated film that will appeal to both kids and adults.
Go for a Walk
Kids love writing a letter to Santa and making their special wish lists. Plus, this classic holiday activity is affordable – and the whole family can take part!
For something a bit more adventurous, try a walking vacation for families. These trips are usually restricted to children over eight and include a mix of activities. Some also include a safari camp and a mountain yurt for an added dose of adventure.
Volunteer
The holidays are a time to teach your kids the importance of giving back. Have them sort through toys to select a few they want to donate to a local family in need or send a card to soldiers stationed overseas.
Christmas songs can transform moods in just a few seconds, so take your children to visit their local hospital or nursing home and sing a few holiday tunes.
Have a Household Chore Competition
Turn chores into a competition by assigning each member of the family a room or room to clean and timing how long it takes them to complete the task. The competitor who completes the most rooms in the shortest amount of time wins.
Kids love games that make them work together as a team. Try rock painting at a local craft store for an inexpensive family activity.
Go See a Holiday Performance
Get in the holiday spirit with a visit to a local theatre production. The Montford Park Players present a raucous adaptation of Charles Dickens's timeless classic A Christmas Carol (Dec. 5-Dec. 22).
Explore a dazzling light display at Diggerland USA's dazzling drive-thru, with displays including trees, tunnels, and tributes to first responders and US armed forces. Tune in to the radio station that syncs to your favorite festive music to make it even more magical!
Make Your Ornaments
Make your unique holiday ornaments to add some homemade flair to your Christmas tree. These DIY ornaments are easy for kids to do and can also double as cute gifts for friends and family.
Turn a simple wood slice into a rustic set of animals with this easy craft. Kids can help with the paint, and older kids will love creating pipe cleaner talons.
Make Your Play Dough
Young children love playing with play dough. It's an inexpensive and fun holiday activity that will create memories your kids will cherish forever.
Mix the flour, salt, and dry tempera (or food coloring). Add the oil, then the water. Stir the mixture until it becomes a little smoother. It will still be a bit lumpy, but that's okay.
Add the food coloring while it is cooking to avoid staining your hands and surfaces. When the dough is done, store it in a plastic bag.
Conclusion
There are a variety of fun and budget-friendly activities that families can enjoy during the holidays. From baking cookies and watching movies to going ice skating or visiting local holiday markets, there are plenty of options to choose from. By planning, setting a budget, and involving everyone in the decision-making process, families can create lasting memories without breaking the bank. Remember, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones and enjoying each other's company, not just about expensive gifts or extravagant trips.
