Tiny Tots Will Love These Christmas Traditions

The magic of the holidays is at its peak in early childhood. You’ll want to preserve that magic for as long as possible, so your kids will continue to embrace the wonders of the season for many Christmases to come. One way to encourage that is by starting some fun holiday traditions that the whole family will look forward to year after year. Keep reading below for some ideas that will dazzle your little ones.

Make Your Own Ornaments

There’s no limit to the ways to customize this tradition. A quick Google search will yield tons of DIY Christmas ornament how-tos that are perfect for even the tiniest hands. One easy version uses salt dough, cookie cutters, and glitter glue to make mementos that will gain a proud spot on your tree.

Take a Fun Family Photo

This tradition yields precious pictures that will become treasures as your children grow and your family changes. Make it as silly as you like, wear matching PJs or Santa hats, pick a signature pose … there’s only one rule for this photo session: Have fun!

Read a Christmas Story Each Night

Make a date with your kids for every night of December to gather and read a holiday-themed story together. Share an exciting blend of beloved classics and fun new storybooks, and let the kids take turns choosing the nightly story. Local secondhand book stores, libraries, and online retailers are great sources for inexpensive books to stock your holiday shelves.

Bake Cookies

Who doesn’t love Christmas cookies? Let your little ones get in on the action as well as the eating! Find simple jobs they can do, such as pouring ingredients into the mixing bowl, cutting out shapes with cookie cutters, and decorating the finished products. It’s also a great way to instill a love of baking that can last a lifetime.

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Take a Christmas Lights Tour

Pile everyone into the car and head out to enjoy your neighbors’ light displays. Ask around for recommendations on where to find the best lights in your area – you might get lucky and find a hidden gem like a light show set to music. For older kids, consider making a game of it by passing out a list of holiday decorations to look for in a fun on-the-go scavenger hunt.