65 Fun Christmas Activities for Teens to Enjoy

The holiday season is a special time, but keeping teenagers engaged can often feel tricky.

While many of them may have outgrown classic childhood traditions, there are still plenty of creative ways to make Christmas enjoyable and memorable.

There is a wide variety of activities that resonate with teens, from fun DIY projects and festive games to meaningful community service.

There is a wide range of enjoyable options for teens, whether they want to connect with family, spend time with friends, or relax on their own.

If you’re looking for ways to help your teen stay entertained and feel connected during the holidays, you’re in the right place.

Why Teens Love Holiday Activities?

Engaging teens in holiday activities can be challenging, but understanding their interests and motivations can make all the difference.

Social Connection and Belonging

Many activities, like game nights and team challenges, encourage bonding with peers and family.
Shared experiences during the holidays help teens feel more connected and included.
Group involvement promotes communication, collaboration, and fun without pressure.

Creative Expression and Personal Growth

DIY crafts, baking, and decorating allow teens to express their style.
These activities build confidence and help teens explore their talents.
Creativity becomes a stress reliever and a way to make the holidays more personal.

Sense of Purpose Through Volunteering

Helping others gives teens a strong sense of accomplishment and contribution.
Activities like toy drives or card-making for seniors nurture empathy and gratitude.
Volunteering connects teens to their community in a meaningful and lasting way.

Creative Christmas Crafts

1. DIY Ornament Making

Create beautiful, personalized ornaments that add a special touch to your Christmas tree or make thoughtful gifts for friends and family. Let your creativity shine and let them dry completely before hanging.

What you’ll need: Clear ornaments, paint, glitter, photos, ribbon
How to do it: Fill or decorate clear ornaments using craft supplies. Let dry before hanging.

2. Custom Christmas Cards

Make heartfelt, funny, or cute cards to share your holiday wishes in a personal way. These handmade cards show extra love and are treasured by anyone who receives them.

What you’ll need: Cardstock, markers, stickers, stamps
How to do it: Fold the cardstock, decorate with messages and drawings, and add your flair.

3. Decorate Gingerbread Houses

Gather friends or family for a fun and delicious gingerbread house decorating challenge. Show off your sweet architectural skills and enjoy the festive spirit together.

What you’ll need: Gingerbread kits or homemade pieces, icing, candy
How to do it: Build the house, decorate with candy, and show off your creation.

4. Christmas Scrapbook

Preserve your favorite holiday memories by creating a Christmas scrapbook filled with photos, notes, and decorations. It’s a wonderful keepsake to look back on year after year.

What you’ll need: Photos, scrapbook, pens, glue, washi tape
How to do it: Arrange photos and add notes and stickers to document your Christmas fun.

5. Mason Jar Snow Globes

Glue festive figurines to the lid, fill the jar with water and fake snow, then screw the lid back on tight. Shake it up to create a charming snow globe that makes a perfect holiday decoration or gift.

What you’ll need: Mason jars, fake snow, figurines, hot glue
How to do it: Glue items to lid, add snow and water to the jar, screw on lid, and shake!

6. DIY Christmas Candles

Make scented candles to add a cozy and festive glow to your home. Melt wax, mix in essential oils for fragrance and crayons for color, and pour the mixture into jars with wicks.

What you’ll need: Wax, wicks, jars, essential oils, crayons for color
How to do it: Melt wax, add scent/color, pour into jars with wick, let cool.

7. Ugly Sweater Decorating

Turn a plain sweater into the wackiest, most fun holiday outfit ever! Use felt, tinsel, pom-poms, and hot glue to create tacky but cheerful designs that stand out at any holiday party.

What you’ll need: Plain sweater, felt, hot glue, tinsel, pom-poms
How to do it: Decorate sweater with a mix of tacky and holiday cheer.

Delicious Holiday Treats

8. Christmas Cookie Bake-Off

Bake and decorate cookies with friends or family to bring out your competitive spirit. It’s a tasty way to share holiday joy and friendly rivalry!

What you’ll need: Cookie ingredients, decorations, judging cards
How to do it: Bake and decorate cookies, then have a tasting/judging session.

9. Hot Cocoa Bar

Set up a cozy DIY hot chocolate station with classic toppings like marshmallows, candy canes, and whipped cream.

Let everyone customize their perfect mug of cocoa, making this a warm and interactive treat for all ages.

What you’ll need: Hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream
How to do it: Set up toppings and let everyone make their dream mug of cocoa.

10. Holiday Cupcake Decorating

Turn simple cupcakes into festive works of art by frosting them with colorful icing and adding sprinkles, candies, and other holiday-themed decorations.

What you’ll need: Baked cupcakes, icing, sprinkles, candy decorations
How to do it: Frost cupcakes with festive colors and add themed toppings.

11. Peppermint Bark Making

Melt white and dark chocolate, spread it on a tray, and sprinkle crushed peppermint on top to make a delicious and easy-to-share holiday treat.

What you’ll need: White/dark chocolate, crushed peppermint
How to do it: Melt chocolate, spread it on a tray, sprinkle candy, and let it set.

12. Gingerbread Mug Toppers

Bake adorable gingerbread cookies designed with a special notch to sit on the rim of your mug.

After baking, decorate them with icing and festive designs, creating a charming, cute, and tasty addition to your holiday drinks.

What you’ll need: Gingerbread dough, a cutter with a notch, and icing
How to do it: Cut cookies with a mug notch, bake, then decorate.

13. Snowman Marshmallow Pops

Create fun, edible snowmen by stacking marshmallows on sticks and decorating them with icing and candy to add faces, buttons, and hats.

These sweet pops are a playful treat that kids and adults alike will love making and eating.

What you’ll need: Marshmallows, sticks, icing, candy
How to do it: Stack marshmallows on sticks, decorate with candy faces and hats.

Chill & Cozy Indoor Fun

14. Christmas Movie Marathon

Gather your friends and cozy up for a festive movie marathon featuring holiday classics or cheesy rom-coms. Prepare plenty of snacks and blankets to make the night comfy and fun.

What you’ll need: List of movies, snacks, blankets
How to do it: Pick 2–4 movies, grab snacks, and snuggle in for a movie night.

15. Holiday Puzzle Night

Unwind by working on a Christmas-themed jigsaw puzzle with family or friends. It’s a great way to bond while enjoying a calm and festive activity.

What you’ll need: Christmas-themed puzzle
How to do it: Set up a cozy table and work together to finish the puzzle.

16. Christmas Karaoke

Bring out your inner star by singing your favorite holiday tunes at a Christmas karaoke night. Whether you use a machine or an app, take turns performing and cheering each other on.

What you’ll need: Karaoke machine or app, Christmas playlist
How to do it: Queue up songs and take turns performing.

17. Holiday Coloring Session

Bring out your inner star by singing your favorite holiday tunes at a Christmas karaoke night. Whether you use a machine or an app, take turns performing and cheering each other on.

What you’ll need: Christmas coloring books, markers, or pencils
How to do it: Choose a picture, color it in, and enjoy some zen time.

18. Christmas-Themed Game Night

Put a festive twist on your favorite board games or try holiday-themed trivia and charades. It’s an exciting way to connect and celebrate the season together.

What you’ll need: Board games, holiday trivia, and charades
How to do it: Play games with a Christmas twist or do themed trivia.

19. Read a Cozy Holiday Book

Brew your favorite tea, wrap yourself in a soft blanket, and enjoy the magic of a Christmas or winter-themed book. It’s a peaceful way to soak up the holiday atmosphere.

What you’ll need: a Christmas or winter-themed book
How to do it: Brew tea, wrap in a blanket, and dive into your book.

Social & Group Activities

20. Secret Santa Exchange

A classic surprise gift swap that adds excitement to any holiday gathering. The fun comes when everyone reveals who their Secret Santa is during the party!

What you’ll need: Names drawn randomly, small gifts
How to do it: Assign names anonymously, buy gifts, and reveal on party day.

21. White Elephant Game

This is a hilarious and unpredictable gift exchange, where the sillier the gift, the better. Participants take turns picking wrapped presents or stealing from others, sparking lots of laughs and playful competition.

What you’ll need: Wrapped silly or unique gifts
How to do it: Everyone picks a gift or steals, creating chaos and laughs.

22. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Turn your home or yard into a festive treasure hunt with holiday-themed clues or items to find. Players race against each other to spot everything on the list, making it a lively and engaging activity for all ages.

What you’ll need: List of items/clues, small prizes
How to do it: Hide items around the house or yard, then race to find them.

23. Caroling Challenge

Groups rehearse a few tunes beforehand and bundle up warmly to bring smiles to doorsteps. It’s a wonderful way to connect with neighbors and brighten the season.

What you’ll need: Song lyrics, warm clothes
How to do it: Group up, rehearse a few songs, and go caroling door-to-door.

24. Christmas TikTok Dance Party

Bring your holiday spirit online by creating fun TikTok dances or skits themed around Christmas. Pick popular sounds, choreograph moves with friends or family, and record your festive masterpiece.

What you’ll need: A Phone with TikTok, music, and creativity
How to do it: Pick a sound, choreograph, and film your holiday masterpiece.

25. Christmas Meme Battle

Tap into your sense of humor by making the funniest Christmas memes using photos or GIFs. Use meme apps or templates on your phone to craft clever and hilarious holiday-themed images.

What you’ll need: Phone, meme apps, or templates
How to do it: Use photos or GIFs to create holiday memes and vote for the best.

Outdoor Winter Fun

26. Ice Skating with Friends

A fun way to get moving, enjoy the crisp winter air, and share laughs on the ice. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, skating together makes great memories.

What you’ll need: Skates, rink tickets
How to do it: Visit a local rink, lace up, and skate the day away.

27. Christmas Light Tour

Take a magical tour around your town or neighborhood to see the most dazzling holiday light displays. Don’t forget to bring a list of top spots or map out your route!

What you’ll need: Car or walking shoes, a list of neighborhoods
How to do it: Drive or walk around town looking for the best-decorated homes.

28. Sledding Race

Find a good hill, bundle up in warm clothes, and race your friends down the snowy slope. It’s a thrilling way to embrace the cold and enjoy some healthy outdoor excitement.

What you’ll need: Sleds, warm clothes
How to do it: Find a hill, race friends, and see who’s the fastest.

29. Build a Snow Reindeer

Use snow, sticks for antlers, berries for eyes, and anything else nature provides to decorate. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that lets you craft a unique winter masterpiece.

What you’ll need: Snow, sticks, berries, creativity
How to do it: Shape a snow reindeer and decorate with natural items.

30. Outdoor Snow Photo Shoot

Build a snow reindeer to put a creative twist on the usual snowman. Decorate with snow, sticks for antlers, berries for eyes, and anything else nature provides.

What you’ll need: Camera or phone, winter gear
How to do it: Find a scenic spot and take playful or artsy shots.

Giving Back & Meaningful Moments

31. Volunteer at a Toy Drive

Give your time and energy to brighten a child’s Christmas. Join a local charity to assist with collecting, organizing, or wrapping toys, making the holiday season joyful for families in need.

What you’ll need: Time, willingness
How to do it: Sign up with a local charity and assist with organizing or wrapping.

32. Make Cards for a Nursing Home

Use colorful paper and decorations to write heartfelt messages, then deliver them to a nearby care home to brighten someone’s day.

What you’ll need: Paper, pens, decorations
How to do it: Write cheerful messages and deliver them to a nearby care home.

33. Donate Warm Clothes

Donate gently used coats, scarves, hats, and gloves to help those in your community stay warm during the cold season.

Find a local shelter or donation center to ensure your items reach the people who need them most.

What you’ll need: Gently used clothes, donation center info
How to do it: Collect and deliver coats, scarves, and hats to shelters.

34. Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

Leave candy canes for delivery workers, write encouraging notes for neighbors, or do something thoughtful to brighten someone’s holiday.

What you’ll need: Kind ideas, like candy canes or notes
How to do it: Leave treats for delivery workers or notes for neighbors.

35. Bake Cookies for Neighbours

Pack them in festive containers and deliver them door-to-door, spreading warmth and holiday cheer one sweet treat at a time.

What you’ll need: Cookie ingredients, containers for packaging

How to do it: Bake a batch of delicious cookies, pack them nicely, and deliver them door-to-door with a friendly smile.

Just for Laughs & Challenges

36. Christmas Would You Rather

Take turns asking fun, holiday-themed questions that spark surprising answers and friendly debates. It’s a great way to break the ice and keep the energy festive!

What you’ll need: List of questions
How to do it: Ask questions in a circle and laugh at everyone’s choices.

37. Christmas Minute-to-Win-It

Bring excitement with quick, festive challenges that last just one minute each. Use candy canes, marshmallows, and cups for games like stacking, balancing, or transferring items.

What you’ll need: Candy canes, marshmallows, cups
How to do it: Compete in 1-minute games like stacking or balancing challenges.

38. Wrap Battle

Race to wrap a present as neatly or creatively as possible while under pressure. Bonus points for the weirdest or most imaginative designs that will have everyone smiling!

What you’ll need: Wrapping paper, boxes, tape
How to do it: Compete to wrap the best or most creative gift under time pressure.

39. Christmas Emoji Quiz

Challenge your group to guess famous Christmas carols, movies, or phrases using only emoji clues. Laugh together as guesses get wilder and more creative!

What you’ll need: Quiz printout or phone
How to do it: Guess the carol or movie based on emoji clues.

40. Blindfold Tree Decorating

Try hanging ornaments on a small tree without seeing them and then revealing the results for lots of laughs. This activity brings out creativity and plenty of funny moments!

What you’ll need: Small tree, ornaments, blindfold
How to do it: Decorate the tree blindfolded and reveal the results.

Artsy & Aesthetic Christmas Vibes

41. Holiday Vision Board

Gather images, words, and symbols from magazines that represent your goals and hopes for next year. Arrange them creatively on a poster board to keep your inspiration alive throughout the holiday season.

What you’ll need: Magazines, scissors, glue, poster board
How to do it: Cut out images and words that reflect your dreams and arrange them into a festive collage.

42. Christmas Nail Art Night

Bring your dreams to life with a festive vision board. Arrange them creatively on a poster board to keep your inspiration alive throughout the holiday season.

What you’ll need: Nail polish, stickers, glitter, tools
How to do it: Paint nails with holiday colors and experiment with snowflakes, candy canes, or tree designs.

43. Holiday Window Painting

Use stencils or freehand your favorite holiday shapes, such as snowflakes, stars, or Santa hats. This artistic activity will brighten your home and spread holiday cheer to passersby.

What you’ll need: Window paint markers or tempera paint, stencils
How to do it: Draw festive shapes and scenes on your windows for an artistic winter vibe.

44. Christmas Photography Challenge

Follow a themed list of prompts like “cozy,” “twinkling lights,” “frost,” or “holiday cheer” to find unique photo opportunities. It’s a creative way to slow down and notice the magic around you.

What you’ll need: Camera or phone, challenge list
How to do it: Try snapping shots based on themes like “cozy,” “lights,” “frost,” or “cheer.”

45. DIY Holiday Jewelry

Design your festive jewelry pieces like earrings, bracelets, or necklaces using beads, strings, and holiday-themed charms. This crafty activity is perfect for creating personalized gifts or adding a little sparkle to your holiday outfit.

What you’ll need: Beads, string, holiday charms, tools
How to do it: Design and craft cute holiday jewelry to wear or gift.

Clever & Creative Challenges

46. Christmas Crossword or Word Search

If you choose printable Christmas-themed crosswords or word searches, these games are perfect for solo fun or friendly competition. Challenge yourself or race friends to see who finishes first!

What you’ll need: Printable Christmas puzzles or apps
How to do it: Complete the puzzles solo or race friends to finish first.

47. Elf on the Shelf Pranks

Get creative with mischievous Elf on the Shelf setups that will make everyone laugh. Teens can take the lead by designing funny or silly scenes using the elf and various props.

What you’ll need: Elf doll, props, ideas
How to do it: Set up funny or silly elf scenes each day.

48. Christmas Lip Sync Battle

Pick your favorite holiday song, prepare your best moves, and entertain friends or family in a fun, mock competition. It’s a great way to laugh and enjoy festive tunes together.

What you’ll need: Music playlist, space to perform
How to do it: Pick a holiday song and perform your heart out in a mock battle.

49. Build a Christmas Playlist

Mix timeless classics, fresh remixes, and indie holiday tracks to keep the mood merry and bright. Sharing your playlist with friends can spread the festive cheer even further.

What you’ll need: Streaming account, good taste
How to do it: Curate a mix of classics, remixes, and indie Christmas tunes.

50. Holiday Caption Contest

Put your wit to the test by creating hilarious captions for funny Christmas photos. This game sparks creativity and plenty of laughter among friends and family.

What you’ll need: Funny Christmas photos, paper, or phones
How to do it: Write your best captions and vote for the funniest one.

Gift-Making & DIY Surprises

51. Handmade Sugar Scrubs

Mix sugar with nourishing coconut oil and your favorite essential oils to create a fragrant, moisturizing scrub. Store them in pretty jars with personalized tags for a thoughtful homemade treat.

What you’ll need: Sugar, coconut oil, essential oils, jars
How to do it: Mix ingredients, add scents, and store in jars with tags.

52. DIY Phone Wallpaper

Get creative by designing your festive phone background using apps like Canva or Procreate. Incorporate holiday elements like snowflakes, lights, or inspiring quotes to make your screen uniquely cheerful and seasonal.

What you’ll need: Design app like Canva or Procreate
How to do it: Use elements like snowflakes or quotes to make aesthetic designs.

53. Custom Stocking Making

Personalize holiday stockings for family members or pets to make them extra special. Use plain stockings and decorate them with felt cutouts, names, festive symbols, and colorful thread.

What you’ll need: Plain stockings, felt, glue, thread
How to do it: Decorate with names, symbols, and festive cutouts.

54. Painted Holiday Mugs

Turn plain mugs into cozy, festive keepsakes with porcelain paint or markers. Decorate with holiday designs or messages, then bake them in the oven to set the paint for lasting use.

What you’ll need: Plain mugs, porcelain paint, or markers
How to do it: Decorate mugs, let them dry, then bake to set the paint.

55. Personalized Photo Gifts

Transform your favorite photos into creative keepsakes like collages, keychains, or magnets. These personal touches are perfect for sharing holiday joy with friends and family.

What you’ll need: Photos, craft materials, printer
How to do it: Turn printed memories into creative keepsakes.

Unique Holiday Experiences

56. Christmas Escape Room at Home

Create a holiday-themed escape room to turn your home into a festive puzzle adventure. Design a fun storyline filled with clues and challenges, and hide puzzles in different rooms.

What you’ll need: Printed puzzles, locks/boxes, clues
How to do it: Build a themed storyline and set up puzzles around your house.

57. Midnight Christmas Snack Run

Enjoy a cozy, late-night outing with friends to grab your favorite holiday snacks while the world is asleep. Dress warmly, bring some money, and head out for a fun and quiet snack run that adds a little magic to the night.

What you’ll need: Money, permission, coats
How to do it: Take a nighttime stroll or drive to grab snacks with friends.

58. Christmas Camp-In

Use blankets, fairy lights, and sleeping bags to create a cozy tent or fort, then gather around for holiday stories, movies, or games that warm the spirit and spark joy.

What you’ll need: Blankets, lights, snacks, sleeping bags
How to do it: Set up a cozy tent or fort and enjoy holiday stories or movies.

59. DIY Holiday Escape Room Box

Design clues and locks inside the box that reveal treats or messages as they’re solved, making it a perfect interactive holiday gift or activity.

What you’ll need: Box, puzzles, notes, locks
How to do it: Create puzzles that unlock treats or clues inside the box.

60. Glow-in-the-Dark Snowball Fight

Use glow sticks inside white socks or decorate snowballs with glowing markers for a magical evening game full of laughs and friendly competition.

What you’ll need: Glow sticks, white socks, or snowballs
How to do it: Insert glow sticks into socks or use glowing markers on snowballs, then play in the dark.

Final Fun & Festive Ideas

61. Christmas Wall Collage

Printouts of family photos, favorite quotes, and holiday art, all arranged with colorful washi tape and twinkling fairy lights, are fun ways to create a cozy, personalized Christmas atmosphere that everyone will love.

What you’ll need: Printouts, washi tape, fairy lights
How to do it: Create an aesthetic wall with photos, quotes, and art.

62. DIY Holiday Countdown

Use paper and envelopes to hold small treats, notes, or fun activities for each day. This interactive tradition adds excitement and helps everyone enjoy the holiday spirit uniquely.

What you’ll need: Paper, envelopes, small treats
How to do it: Make a personalized countdown calendar with activities or notes.

63. Christmas Candlelit Chill Time

Take a break from the holiday hustle with some relaxing candlelit chill time. It’s the perfect way to practice self-care and soak in the cozy winter vibes.

What you’ll need: Scented candles, a playlist, and snacks
How to do it: Light candles, play soft music, and unwind for a bit of self-care.

64. Gift Wrapping Relay Race

Divide into teams and compete to wrap presents quickly but neatly. This lively game brings laughter and friendly competition, making wrapping gifts a memorable and fun experience.

What you’ll need: Boxes, wrapping supplies
How to do it: Compete in teams to wrap gifts as quickly (and neatly) as possible.

65. Christmas Traditions from Around the World Night

Use the internet to research, gather props, and try snacks or crafts inspired by these global celebrations. It’s a fun and educational way to appreciate holiday customs worldwide.

What you’ll need: Internet, props, snacks from different cultures
How to do it: Learn about global traditions and try foods or crafts inspired by them.

Tips for Planning Teen-Friendly Christmas Activities

Planning activities for teens isn’t just about what you do; it’s about how you do it. Teens thrive in spaces that value their voice, offer flexibility, and don’t feel forced.

Involve Them in Planning: Give them roles in setting up, decorating, or hosting. When they feel like their input matters, they’re far more likely to participate enthusiastically.
Keep It Low-Key: Teens appreciate the freedom to move at their own pace, hang out, and shift gears if something’s not vibing. Casual setups often lead to more fun and less pressure.
Provide Snacks and Music: A steady stream of good food and a solid playlist can make or break the mood. Include treats they love, think popcorn bars, pizza rolls, or a cocoa station, and let them queue up their favorite tunes.
Be Flexible: Be willing to pivot if an activity isn’t clicking. Sometimes the best memories are made from spontaneous ideas that weren’t even on the agenda

Final Thoughts

The holidays are the perfect time to bring joy, creativity, and connection into your teen’s world.

If it’s DIY crafts, baking, games, or spending time with friends, this list of fun Christmas activities offers something for everyone to spark interest and make the season meaningful.

Allowing teens to choose what excites them, involving them in planning, and creating a festive atmosphere with music and snacks sets the stage for memorable moments they’ll cherish.

Ready to make this Christmas unforgettable for your teen? Start picking your favorite activities from the list, gather a few supplies, and let the holiday magic begin.

Don’t forget to share this list with friends and family so everyone can enjoy a fun and festive holiday season!