Brightleaf

12 Christ-Centered Christmas Activities for Kids

December fills up fast: concerts, cookies, shopping lists. If you want your children to remember that Christmas is about Jesus, it helps to plan a few simple activities that put the Bible right in the middle of the season. None of these need special supplies, and most take 15 minutes or less.

1. Read the Christmas story in order

Instead of jumping straight to the manger, read the story the way the Bible tells it, a little each night: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 1, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 2, and John 1:1-14. Kids are often surprised to learn the story begins hundreds of years earlier, with God's promises.

2. Learn the names in Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder," and then gives four names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Write one name on a card each week of Advent and talk about what it tells us about Jesus.

3. Act out the nativity with what you have

Bathrobes, towels and a doll are all you need. Let the kids read their own lines from Luke 2. Younger children love being the sheep.

4. Memorize one verse together

A good first Christmas verse is Luke 2:14: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" Say it at breakfast all week, then let the kids teach it to a grandparent.

5. Follow the star

Move a paper star a little closer to your nativity set every day, and read Matthew 2:10 on the day it arrives: "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." Many families keep the wise men across the room until later in the season, which opens a good conversation about the story's timeline.

6. Give three gifts

The wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). Some families limit each child to three gifts, or have kids choose three small gifts to give to someone else.

7. Puzzle through the passages

Bible word searches and crosswords are a quiet way to slow down and notice the details of the story. The trick is to read the passage first, then hunt for the words. Children remember "swaddling cloths" and "frankincense" much better after finding them in a grid.

8. Make an Immanuel paper chain

Matthew 1:23 tells us Jesus is called "Immanuel" (which means, God with us). On each link, write one way God is with your family. Hang it across a doorway and add a link each day.

9. Sing carols and look up the verses

Many carols quote Scripture. Pick one carol a week, sing it, then find the Bible verses behind it. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" pairs with Luke 2:13-14.

10. Serve someone

Bake for a neighbor, make cards for a nursing home, or help at a church event. Jesus came to serve, and kids understand that best by doing it.

11. Pray around the tree

Pick one ornament each night and pray for a person it reminds you of. It turns decorations into a prayer list.

12. End with "the Word became flesh"

On Christmas Eve, read John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory." Ask: What does it mean that God came to live with us?

A simple weekly plan for busy families

You do not need to do all twelve. Here is one way to spread a few across December without adding stress:

If an evening falls apart, skip it and pick up the next day. Toddlers can join by holding the star or the baby doll; older kids can read aloud, lead the prayer or make the puzzle answer key for younger siblings.

Printables to get started

For a full season of nightly readings, our 25-day family Advent devotional, Come, Let Us Adore Him ($24), gives you a short ESV reading, discussion questions and a printable ornament card for each day. Kids who love puzzles can work through the Christmas Bible Word Search (12 puzzles from the Christmas story, $4.99).

Whatever you choose, keep it simple. A few minutes in God's Word each day will matter far more than a perfect plan.

More from Brightleaf: See all our Bible printables and family resources