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12 Days of Christmas Activities for Kids

Are you looking for fun 12 Days of Christmas Activities for Kids?

Then get inspired by our holiday activities and don’t forget to download your matching Christmas bucketlist below.

Let’s have a look!

12 days of Christmas Activities for kids

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12 Days of Christmas Song

When you come across my post you automatically think of the children’s song “12 Days of Christmas”.

In this Christmas carol the composer brags about 12 gifts he is receiving from his “true love” during the 12 Days of Christmas:

  1. Day 1: one pear tree
  2. Day 2: two turtle doves
  3. Day 3: three French hens
  4. Day 4: four calling birds
  5. Day 5: five gold rings
  6. Day 6: six geese a-laying
  7. Day 7: seven swans a-swimming
  8. Day 8: eight maids a-milking
  9. Day 9: nine ladies dancing
  10. Day 10: ten lords a-leaping
  11. Day 11: eleven pipers piping
  12. Day 12: twelve drummers drumming

When are the 12 Days of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas start on the day after Christmas December 26th and go till January 6.

Why 12 Days of Christmas

The answer is pretty simple. It is 12 days of Christmas because it took the 3 kings 12 days to find Jesus Christ.


Here you can listen to the song “12 Days of Christmas” and read along with the lyrics.

12 Days of Christmas Books for Kids

After we explored the song 12 Days of Christmas, let’s find a nice book that goes with it.

Here are some great book 12 days of Christmas books for kids:

With touches of gold foil throughout, this stunning tabbed board book from Roger Priddy is a real Christmas treat for children.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… a Christmas book filled with all the joy of the beloved holiday carol!

Discover as a family the Christian symbolism behind the classic Christmas carol “The 12 Days of Christmas” in this vibrantly illustrated picture book. 

Count down the holiday season in this peek-through Christmas picture book. The twelve days of Christmas have never looked so fun! 

“Here’s a song whose lyrics everyone knows and that therefore demands something spectacular to distinguish it. This version, sumptuously illustrated by Long, certainly delivers.” – The New York Times

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12 Days of Christmas Activities for Kids

Instead of gifting a pear tree, drummers, and all the other gifts from the Christmas Carol, this list of 12 Days of Christmas Activities for kids will be a countdown of 12 days until Christmas and more family-orientated.

Below you even can find our Christmas bucket list to print.

So let’s get started with our 12 Days of Christmas Family Activities:

  • Day 1: Pick out a Christmas Tree
  • Day 2: Create a Christmas Ornament
  • Day 3: Bake Christmas Cookies
  • Day 4: Build a Gingerbread House
  • Day 5: Watch a Christmas Movie
  • Day 6: Read a Christmas Story
  • Day 7: See the Christmas lights
  • Day 8: Take a photo with Santa
  • Day 9: Make a Christmas Card
  • Day 10: Write a letter to Santa
  • Day 11: Go Christmas Caroling
  • Day 12: Donate to Charity

Did you enjoy our 12 Days of Christmas Activity Ideas for Kids?
Then go check out these great stocking stuffer ideas for girlsboystoddlers, and kids next.

Day 1: Pick out a Christmas Tree

Time to get your Christmas Tree. Go to your next Christmas tree farm get a hot chocolate and pick a tree together as a family.

You might even want to cut it down yourself. This Christmas tradition definitely will build childhood memories.

Day 2: Create a Christmas Ornament

As well as making your own Christmas ornaments and keeping them over time. You will see your children still will remember when they made every single ornament.

It will make them smile and be priceless keepsakes.

We love making these cupcake liner ornaments, go check them out here.

christmas angel ornament

Day 3: Bake Christmas Cookies

Who doesn’t love Christmas cookies? Baking them together is actually just as fun as eating them.

Turn on some Christmas music and enjoy the afternoon together with your kids.

Here is a delicious sugar cookie recipe your kids can cut out easily.

bake christmas cookies

Day 4: Build a Gingerbread House

Building a gingerbread house is a Christmas tradition in our house. Every year I m looking forward to it but then remember fast that it is more difficult than it looks.

Therefore I like to pass on a tip for you: Buy a house that is already assembled and only needs to be decorated. It will save you a lot of insanity!

Here is what we buy every year:

Assembled Gingerbread House

Day 5: Watch a Christmas Movie

What is a better time than in the winter to watch a family movie together in front of a hot fireplace when it is cold outside?

Instead of just watching regular family movies together turn on some Christmas movies to enjoy together and get ready for Christmas.

Here are some great Christmas movie recommendations for you:

  • The Grinch
  • Kevin Alone at Home
  • Christmas Chronicles
  • The Nutcracker
  • Klaus
  • Star

Day 6: Read a Christmas Story

Reading a Christmas Story together is a great time to calm down from the holiday hectic and spend quality time as a family.

Turn on the fireplace, get a warm blanket, and snuggle in on the couch.

Here are some adorable Christmas books we love to read:

Day 7: See the Christmas lights

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is to see the Christmas lights every year. I m sure where you are living you can find winter gardens, drive-throughs, winter festivals with Christmas lights, or just a nice decorated neighborhood to enjoy!

Day 8: Take a photo with Santa

In every mall, some tree farms, and Christkindle markets you will find Santa present. Don’t be shy dress up and take a family photo together.

You can use your Santa picture for your Christmas card.

take a photo with santa

Day 9: Make a Christmas Card

If you prefer crafting your own Christmas card, I have some wonderful ideas for you.

Sending Christmas wishes to your loved ones is always a sweet gesture.

Go check out the following Christmas card idea:

Turn this snow globe template into a free Christmas card. Cut out your Santa picture from above and place it inside.

You can get your Free Printable Snowglobe Template here.

I also have matching greetings for you. How about these adorable Christmas Wishes for Kids or Santa Quotes. What do you think?

You can find more DIY Christmas Card Ideas here.

12 Days of Christmas activity ideas

Day 10: Write a letter to Santa

Did you tell Santa your wish list while taking a family photo? Did you forget about it? No need to worry, simply write a letter to Santa with your wish list for Christmas.

Tip: Your little one can’t write yet? Give them a toy catalog and let them cut out their wishes and glue them together into a list for Santa.

If you need a writing template, you can use this Elf on the Shelf Letter to Santa Template.

letter to santa 12 days before christmas activity

Day 11: Go Christmas Caroling

Do you enjoy Christmas music, then participate in your neighborhood and go Christmas caroling. If this does not exist create your own event with your friends.

Alternatively, you can go to a Christmas concert or participate in your church choir.

Day 12: Donate to Charity

The holidays are the season of giving. So why not help others in need and help them have a wonderful Christmas?

If you are donating old toys, bringing food to shelters, or helping at the foot bank there are many different ways to help others for Christmas.

donate to charity christmas activity 12 days

More Christmas Activities

After these fun 12 days of Christmas family activities, I like to share some more Holiday Activities with you.

How to Download Your Free Christmas Bucket List Pdf

Simply sign up here for our newsletter and you will receive the link to our 12 Days of Christmas Bucket List pdf for free download.

Already a subscriber? Don’t worry, no need to subscribe twice. I just updated our free printable library. You can find our fun 12 Days of Christmas printable there or check our latest newsletter for more information.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I m happy to help!

free printable 12 days of christmas activities for kids bucket list

Pin Our 12 Days of Christmas Activities for Children

Don’t forget to save our Easy 12 Day of Christmas Activities on Pinterest for later! Be sure you are following along with Lil Tigers.

Now I would like to hear from you!
Which of the 12 days of Christmas activity for families did you choose? Did you find a better one?
Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.
I love to hear from you!