Holiday Activities for ToddlersSimple, Joyful Ideas
Easy crafts, sensory play, and traditions that actually work for ages 1-3. No Pinterest perfection required.
Holiday Craft Essentials
Toddler Holiday Reality
They'll probably eat the craft supplies, have a meltdown at Santa, and be more interested in the box than the gift. And that's perfectly okay. The magic is in the simple moments.
Easy Toddler Crafts
Handprint Ornaments
6 months+Salt dough or air-dry clay with baby's handprint. Paint when dry.
Paper Plate Wreath
18 months+Cut center from paper plate, let toddler paint green and add pom poms.
Sticker Christmas Tree
12 months+Draw tree outline, let toddler cover it with stickers.
Cotton Ball Snowman
18 months+Glue cotton balls onto paper in snowman shape.
Jingle Bell Shaker
12 months+Put bells in plastic container or paper plate folded and taped.
Fingerprint Lights
18 months+Draw string, let toddler add fingerprint 'lights' in colors.
Holiday Sensory Play
Jingle Bell Sensory Bin
- Rice or oats
- Jingle bells
- Scoops and containers
- Ribbon
Snow Dough
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup oil
- Optional: glitter
- Cookie cutters
Candy Cane Playdough
- Red and white playdough
- Peppermint extract (optional)
- Rolling pins
- Cookie cutters
Christmas Water Play
- Water table or bin
- Red/green water beads
- Plastic ornaments
- Cups and funnels
Toddler-Friendly Traditions
Decorate the Tree
Let toddler hang unbreakable ornaments on the bottom branches. Their own little zone.
Baking Day
Toddlers can pour pre-measured ingredients, use cookie cutters, and add sprinkles.
Holiday Pajamas
Get matching family PJs. Take photos. This is the age they can't refuse yet!
Christmas Eve Box
Include: PJs, book, hot cocoa packet, movie. A contained way to celebrate.
Holiday Light Drive
Put toddler in PJs, drive around looking at lights. Often leads to peaceful sleep.
Simple Advent Calendar
Activity-based calendar: 'Watch a Christmas movie,' 'Wear red today,' 'Make hot cocoa.'
Music & Movement
Toddlers + holiday music = pure joy. These activities require zero supplies and burn energy.
Baking with Toddlers
What They CAN Do
- ✓ Pour pre-measured ingredients
- ✓ Stir with supervision
- ✓ Use cookie cutters
- ✓ Add sprinkles (lots of them)
- ✓ "Taste test" (eat) dough
- ✓ Play with extra dough
Survival Tips
- Pre-measure everything before involving toddler
- Use a high chair or learning tower
- Keep hot surfaces far away
- Give them their own small bowl
- Accept the mess as part of the memory
- Take photos of floury faces
Holiday Books for Toddlers
The Snowy Day
by Ezra Jack Keats
Simple winter story, beautiful illustrations
Bear Stays Up for Christmas
by Karma Wilson
Rhythmic, friends helping friends
Llama Llama Holiday Drama
by Anna Dewdney
Managing holiday overwhelm
Room for a Little One
by Martin Waddell
Gentle nativity story
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
by James Dean
Fun, engaging, repetitive
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
by Dr. Seuss
Classic, rhythmic language
Holiday Survival Tips
Lower expectations
Toddlers don't care about Pinterest-perfect. They want your attention and simple fun.
Keep their routine
Naps and bedtimes matter more than events. A rested toddler is a happier toddler.
Prep them for gatherings
Talk about who they'll see. Bring comfort items. Have an exit plan if they melt down.
Let them help
Even if it's slower/messier, involvement = engagement. Let them stir, pour, place.
Create a safe zone
At parties, find a quiet room for breaks. Overstimulation is real.
Focus on 2-3 activities
You don't need to do everything. Pick a few favorites and enjoy them fully.
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