Winter break is long, the days are short, and the tablet is always within reach. If you are looking for screen-free Christmas activities for kids that actually hold their attention, start with something big enough to share. A giant coloring sheet or word search turns the kitchen table into a project the whole family can join.
Below are nine Christmas activities we love for kids at home, with ideas for little ones, big kids and the grown-ups who always end up joining in.
Why big activities work so well at Christmas
A small coloring page is finished in ten minutes. A 30" x 50" coloring sheet covers most of a table, so siblings and cousins can color at the same time without fighting over space. It also gives kids something to come back to over several days, which is exactly what December needs.
Giant Christmas coloring sheets
Our Christmas coloring sheets are 30" x 50" and work like a coloring tablecloth. You can see every design in our Christmas coloring tablecloth collection.
Gingerbread Table Size Coloring Sheet
Decorate gingerbread without frosting on the floor. Set it out while the real cookies bake.
Santa Table Size Coloring Sheet
A big, cheerful Santa scene with room for the whole crew. Great for a Christmas party or a slow afternoon at home.
I Spy Merry Christmas Table Size Coloring Sheet
Kids hunt for hidden pictures, then color them in. It is two activities in one and keeps a wide range of ages busy.
Santa Trace and Color Coloring Sheet
Made for little hands. Preschoolers trace each shape first, then color it in.
Activities for counting down to Christmas
Countdown activities give kids something to look forward to each day and give you a plan for those long afternoons.
Advent Merry Christmas Coloring Banner
Color a little each day in the weeks before Christmas, then hang it up as decor your family made together.
Christmas Activity Calendar Coloring Banner
Kids decorate the calendar, then you fill it with family plans like baking, light walks and card making.
Word searches for big kids (and grown-ups)
Older kids who have outgrown coloring still love a challenge. Our giant word searches are 30" x 43.5", and the letters are printed in a color-in style, so every word you find gets colored. Hang one on the wall in December and let everyone add a word as they walk by. There are more in our giant Christmas word search collection.
Christmas Giant Word Search
A family favorite. Lay it flat during cookie and cocoa time or hang it where guests can join in.
Santa's Workshop Giant Word Search
A North Pole theme for kids who are counting the days until Christmas.
Christmas Treats Giant Word Search
A sweet holiday theme. Hunt for words while the cookies are in the oven.
Tips for a screen-free Christmas break
- Set up a coloring station. Tape a sheet to the table and leave the crayons out so kids can drop in anytime.
- Rotate activities. Bring out a new sheet every few days so it feels fresh.
- Mix ages. Little ones color the big shapes while older kids add details or work on a word search.
- Hang the finished work. A completed sheet makes great holiday decor and a keepsake to pull out next year.
Every sheet is printed and rolled in our own shop. Made in the USA. For more ideas the whole family can do together, visit our family Christmas activities page.
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- Christmas Gifts for the Classroom That Teachers Will Use
- Christmas Gifts for Seniors in Assisted Living: Puzzles and Activities to Share
Frequently asked questions
What are some screen-free Christmas activities for kids at home?
Giant coloring sheets, I Spy pages, word searches, advent coloring banners and activity calendars are all easy to set up and work for a range of ages. Add baking, light walks and homemade cards to round out the break.
What ages are these good for?
Trace and color sheets suit preschoolers. Regular coloring sheets work for most kids. Word searches are great for older kids, teens and adults.
How big are they?
Coloring sheets are 30" x 50". Word searches are 30" x 43.5". Both are printed on 20 lb engineering bond paper.
Can kids use markers?
Yes. Crayons, colored pencils and water-based markers all work well.