Christmas Bucket List for Homeschool Families: 25 Simple but Fun Ways to Celebrate Together

Ready to change things up in your homeschool this holiday season with a Christmas bucket list? You’ve come to the right place! Keep reading to get your FREE Christmas Bucket List printable and add some variety to your homeschooling days.

As the holiday season approaches, finding ways to keep things joyful, simple, and stress-free can feel like a challenge—especially for homeschooling families. It would be the perfect time to take a more relaxed approach to homeschooling.

I am a homeschooling mom with ADHD, so I know how overwhelming homeschooling can be in general. You can use this Christmas bucket list to slow down and appreciate mindful moments each day.

Christmas time is the perfect time of the year for flexibility and experimentation in your family’s homeschool days. It’s the time of year to try new things and have some fun! It would also be a great time to see how relaxed homeschooling or unschooling would be for your family.

In this article, I offer my FREE Christmas Bucket List Printable Bundle, plus tips for using it to fit your family’s homeschooling style.

With simple, meaningful activities, you can create memories, build holiday traditions, and embrace the season together without adding extra stress to your schedule. Homeschooling gives us the freedom to schedule our days however we want, so you can really get creative with this!

My Christmas Bucket List Printable Bundle features 25 ideas that can be used as a countdown to Christmas, much like an Advent calendar. I have also included a Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt and Christmas-Themed Charades in the Free Bundle.

Whether you choose to do one activity each day or pick a few favorites throughout the season, this list will help your family celebrate the holidays with creativity and joy. 

Now, let’s get started!

How to Use Your Free Christmas Bucket List Printable

The Christmas Bucket List Printable includes versatile activities that can be customized to fit your family’s holiday schedule.

Here are 4 different ways to use the free Christmas Bucket list printable:

1. Use It as a Countdown or Advent Calendar: One way to use your Christmas bucket list is to use it as a daily countdown to Christmas! Simply assign one activity to each day leading up to the big day. The bucket list works wonderfully as an Advent calendar, creating excitement each day with a new festive activity to enjoy. Each morning, let your kids look forward to what’s next on the list—whether it’s a craft, a holiday treat, or a fun family outing. You don’t have to do them in order- do what works best for your schedule and fits with your homeschooling style.

2. Make It a Weekly Tradition: If a daily activity feels too overwhelming or doesn’t fit your family’s routine, try using the bucket list as a weekly tradition. Pick a day each week to focus on one holiday activity from the list. This can give your family something to look forward to each week, without feeling like you’re trying to fit in too much in your schedule. You could even set aside a whole afternoon for an activity, like crafting Christmas ornaments or doing a holiday scavenger hunt. It’s also a great way to bond over holiday activities without adding daily pressure.

3. Turn It Into a Christmas Bingo Game: For a fun twist, why not turn your Christmas bucket list into a festive bingo game? Use the printable to create a bingo card filled with the 25 activities, and let your kids check off squares as you complete them throughout the season. This adds a little extra excitement to each activity, and once they fill the card, you could reward them with a special holiday treat or outing to celebrate.

4. Customize It to Fit Your Family’s Style: Mix and match these ideas based on your family’s schedule and homeschooling style. Whether you use the bucket list for a daily countdown, a weekly tradition, or a bingo game, the goal is to create an easy, enjoyable way to celebrate the season together. You can even get your kids involved by letting them help choose which activities they’d like to do each week or create a “theme” for specific days (like “Crafty Tuesday” or “Sweet Treat Saturday”).

No matter how you use your Christmas Bucket List Printable, it’s a simple way to bring joy and holiday spirit to your homeschool routine without extra stress.

25 Christmas Bucket List Ideas for Families this Holiday Season

Here are 25 festive, family-friendly activities to fill your Christmas season with creativity and fun. Choose one activity each day, or just pick a few favorites to enjoy together throughout the holiday season!

1. Decorate Homemade Christmas Cookies: Spend an afternoon baking and decorating Christmas cookies. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters and let everyone add their own personal touch with frosting and sprinkles. You can use pre-made cookie dough at the store to make it easier. If you want to make it from scratch, try this delicious recipe for rolled sugar cookies and icing.

2. Write Letters to Santa or Use Christmas Writing Prompts: Have your kids write letters to Santa asking what they want for Christmas. Older Children who have outgrown Santa could write a “letter to Santa” telling him everything they are grateful for this year instead. You can get my FREE 12 Days of Christmas Writing Prompts printable and choose one question to expand upon or as many as you want! This is a great way to weave essential Language Arts skills into fun Christmas activities.

3. Take a Holiday Lights Drive or Neighborhood Walk: Drive or walk around to admire the festive Christmas lights and decorations. Bring along some hot cocoa if you decide to go for a walk for an authentic holiday experience. This is the perfect opportunity to use my FREE Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt, which is included in the Christmas Bucket List PDF download. Keep the scavenger hunt in the car on a clipboard, so every time you go somewhere, the kids can stay busy looking for scavenger hunt items!

4. Create DIY Christmas Ornaments: Make special ornaments together that you can hang on the tree or gift to loved ones. Try using salt dough, clay, popsicle sticks, or other simple materials you have at home. These would make great gifts for family and friends as well! Browse this list of over 80 DIY Christmas ornament ideas to get you started.

5. Watch a Family Christmas Movie: Pick a classic holiday movie, prepare some popcorn or any other favorite snacks, and have a family movie night. Dim down the lights and get some PJs on to set the atmosphere, and have a cozy night with your family while you enjoy the movie.

6. Make Hot Cocoa and Read Christmas Stories: Warm up some hot cocoa and sit together to read holiday stories. Add marshmallows and whipped cream if you wish. I like to top mine with a bit of ground cinnamon. This activity would be a gentle way to wind down in the evening.

7. Craft Handmade Gifts for Loved Ones: Let your kids get creative by making simple, handmade gifts. Consider crafting candles, friendship bracelets, potholders, or painted rocks with messages. Try one of these exciting DIY Christmas gifts from Pioneer Woman.

8. Sing Christmas Carols or Play Holiday Music: Sing carols together, or create a holiday playlist and have a dance party to your favorite Christmas songs. You could try songs from different countries around the world, too. If any of your children are learning a foreign language, try to find songs in that language for some extra learning!

9. Create a Holiday-Themed Art Project: Make holiday-themed artwork, such as watercolor snowflakes, painted Christmas trees, or paper plate wreaths. You could try these giftable crafts, or opt to do a drawing for fun. We use Art for Kids Hub on YouTube and we love how they walk you through the drawing step by step.

10. Visit a Local Holiday Event: Check out local holiday events, like parades, tree lighting ceremonies, or outdoor Christmas markets. It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit and connect with your local community.

11. Build a Gingerbread House: Assemble and decorate a gingerbread house as a family. Use candies, icing, and other fun treats to create your own gingerbread masterpiece. You can easily purchase a kit at your local store to make it easy. If you want to start from scratch, try this recipe from Sally’s Baking Recipes.

12. Have a Pajama Day: You have permission to stay in your pajamas all day! Enjoy breakfast together, have a Christmas movie marathon, or do simple holiday crafts for a laid-back day at home. If you have special Christmas PJs, wear them!

13. Do a Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Create a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt in your home or neighborhood. Look for items like “a red ornament” or “something that sparkles.” You can download my FREE Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt as part of the Christmas Bucket List Download.

14. Bake Treats for Neighbors: Double recipes, make extra treats, and put them in small paper bags or reusable boxes. Then, surprise your neighbors with a festive and delicious holiday gift. The kitchen is a great place to practice some math while learning essential baking skills.

15. Take Family Holiday Photos: Dress up in holiday attire and take some family photos by the tree or outside. You could make this a fun and memorable yearly tradition!

16. Have a Christmas Picnic Under the Tree: Lay a blanket on the floor by your Christmas tree and enjoy a festive picnic with holiday snacks and hot cocoa. It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy! Just enjoy the atmosphere. If you need lunch ideas, browse this list of homeschool lunch ideas and get my free Homeschool Meal Planning Printable Bundle. 

17. Make Handmade Christmas Cards: Make handmade cards for friends and loved ones. These are much more memorable and personalized than generic Christmas cards. You could try a paper quilling set for older students to make truly beautiful cards. This activity allows children to let their creative side shine.

18. Set Up a Family Donation Box: Set up a box where each family member can place gently used items they no longer use or need. This is an opportunity to show the importance of donating to those in need. You can use this activity as a way to help children find gratitude for the things they have.

19. Play Christmas-Themed Charades: I have included 30 Charades Cards with my FREE Christmas Bucket List Bundle to get you started. If you want to come up with your own ideas, have everyone write Christmas-themed words on slips of paper. Cut apart the strips, then place them in a bowl or other container. Each player picks a slip of paper and tries to get everyone else to guess. This is a holiday twist on a classic game that is fun for the whole family.

20. Learn About Holiday Traditions from Around the World: Research and discuss different holiday traditions from other cultures. You could even try celebrating one or two! Try a traditional recipe from that culture. You could make this a more formal activity by having students write their findings in a notebook or display everything on a poster board or lapbook.

21. Do a Holiday Science Experiment: Try a holiday-themed science experiment like growing “crystal” ornaments, making candy cane slime, or creating fake snow. You could try something like building gumdrop and toothpick houses- or one of these other STEM experiment ideas from Lessons for Little Ones.

22. Have a Cozy, Read-Aloud Day with Holiday Books: Gather holiday-themed books and spend the day reading together under a warm blanket. You can even add hot cocoa for extra coziness! For book recommendations, browse the books listed in my Christmas curriculum and resources article.

23. Perform a Random Act of Kindness Together: Make someone’s day by doing something kind as a family, like paying for someone’s coffee, volunteering, or helping a neighbor with their decorations or yard work. Christmas time is the perfect time to become aware of other people’s needs and help others.

24. Draw or Paint Holiday Scenes: Set up an art station where everyone can paint or draw their favorite holiday scenes, like snow-covered landscapes or decorated trees. Try this Christmas landscape step-by-step tutorial from Art or Kids Hub.

25. Host a Family Game Night with Holiday Snacks: Bring out board games or card games and play together. If you want, invite some friends over to join in on the fun! Make it even more fun with a spread of holiday snacks, like gingerbread cookies or hot chocolate. 

Each of these activities brings a touch of magic to the season while offering simple ways for your family to connect, create lasting memories, and learn a thing or two along the way.

Tips for a Successful Christmas Bucket List Experience

Creating a memorable Christmas bucket list can bring your family closer together and add variety to your holiday season. Here are some quick tips to make sure it’s a success:

1. Stay Flexible: While it’s exciting to plan a full list of activities, remember that holiday schedules can change unexpectedly. Try not to feel pressured to complete every activity if it doesn’t fit in your schedule. If something comes up or a day doesn’t go as expected, it’s okay to rearrange or skip activities. Flexibility allows you to truly enjoy each moment without the stress of a rigid plan.

2. Let Kids Help Pick Activities: Give your child control over their learning. Kids often enjoy activities more when they have a say in choosing them! Allow your children to help select which activities to include or decide the order in which to do them. This can add excitement and make them feel more involved and invested in the holiday fun and learning.

3. Adjust Activities as Needed: Every family is different, so don’t be afraid to adapt activities to fit your family’s unique needs and interests. If an activity feels too involved or doesn’t fit well with your routine, simplify it or choose an alternative. The goal is to enjoy quality time together, so tailor the activities to fit what works best for you.

4. Keep Supplies Organized and Accessible: Staying organized is key to a smooth holiday season. Keep everything you need for your bucket list activities in a dedicated basket or box. This way, you won’t be scrambling last minute to gather items when it’s time to do an activity. Include basics like craft materials, holiday books, cookie cutters, and any other supplies you’ll need. Having everything within reach makes it easier to jump right into the fun!

5. Take Time to Enjoy Each Activity: It’s tempting to rush through activities just to check them off the list, but taking your time can make each experience more meaningful. Slow down, savor the moments, and allow your family to fully enjoy each activity. Some of the best memories come from simply being present together.

6. Add Your Own Bucket List Ideas to the List: This could be as simple as letting kids help with wrapping presents, hanging Christmas stockings, helping with Christmas dinner, or helping to decorate your Christmas Tree. If you live somewhere that gets a white Christmas, get outside and build a snowman or make snow angels!

Final Thoughts: Christmas Bucket List

With your Christmas bucket list ready to go, you’re all set to fill this season with joy, laughter, and learning! Download the free Christmas Bucket List printable, and start planning these simple but memorable activities.

Remember, the goal isn’t to add stress or create a packed schedule—it’s to savor these moments with your family, enjoying the magic of the holidays at your own pace.

Make sure to stay inspired along your homeschooling journey by visiting homeschooling blogs often, reading motivational homeschooling books, and staying connected with your local homeschooling community.

And remember, sometimes less is more. You don’t have to “do all the things” all the time!

Wishing you and your loved ones a merry, peaceful, and joyful Christmas! Enjoy the holiday season, one bucket list activity at a time. I hope these Christmas bucket list ideas bring your family closer together and leave you with memories you can cherish for years to come. Make this holiday season one to remember.

Do you have any ideas I should add to the list? Do you have a fun family tradition you would like to share? Comment below and let me know!

Still looking for Christmas gift ideas? Check out these 35+ homeschool subscription box options to get creative ideas for Christmas gifts this year.

Is there a birthday in your house during the holiday season? Try out my free Birthday Journal Prompts printable!

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Make sure to visit my Freebie Library to get free planner pages, homeschooling organization printables, journal prompts, and more!