Five Activity Ideas to Bring Your Family Closer Together During the Holidays

The shopping and decorating are done, so now it’s time to bring everyone together. What better way to create lasting memories than with fun, family-centered activities? Whether you’re entertaining young children, teens, or older relatives, there are plenty of ways to make the season special for everyone. Here are five activity ideas to bring your family closer and add a little extra joy to your celebrations.

1. Games and Activities to Play During Family Gatherings
Turn your holiday get-togethers into laughter-filled occasions with games that everyone can enjoy. Classic board games like Pictionary, Charades, or Scrabble are always crowd-pleasers. For larger groups, try trivia games with a holiday twist or team-based competitions like gingerbread house decorating contests. Don’t forget to include prizes for added excitement!

2. Easy Holiday Crafts for All Ages
Simple holiday crafts bring out the creativity of everyone. Youngsters can make paper snowflakes, decorate ornaments, or create holiday cards, while older guests can try DIY wreaths or candle holders. Organize the supplies into stations and let everyone’s imagination run wild. Bonus: You’ll have beautiful handmade decorations to keep for years!

3. A Holiday Photo Scavenger Hunt
Make the season memorable with a festive photo scavenger hunt. Create a list of holiday-themed items, scenes or people for everyone to find and photograph, such as “a house with an inflatable snowman,” “a family member in a Santa hat,” or a specific ornament on your tree. This activity works well for all ages and is especially fun for teens who love using their phones.

4. Cooking or Baking Together
Few things bring people together like food. Choose a recipe everyone can help with, such as decorating sugar cookies (super-easy when you buy the pre-made dough!) or preparing a holiday dish. There are even gingerbread house kits you can get that decrease the prep time and up the fun time. Assign tasks based on age and skill level to involve everyone in the process. Not only will you enjoy the delicious results, but you’ll also create cherished memories in the kitchen.

5. Storytelling and Traditions
Storytelling is a timeless way to connect generations. Read classic holiday books like The Night Before Christmas or share personal stories about favorite holiday memories. You could also start a new tradition, like writing a family holiday journal or creating a “gratitude tree” where everyone adds what they’re thankful for. Of course favorite holiday tv specials and movie are always fun to watch each year and pass the love you had for them to the next generation.

With these activities, your family gatherings will be filled with laughter, creativity, and heartfelt connections. After all, the best holiday moments are the ones you share with those you love most and will be remembered for years to come.

Trish Stoecker

I retired from the Army in 2016 after 32 years of service, including two overseas deployments. After I got settled, I wanted to start my own business, and Pure Romance quite literally fell into my lap. I love what I do, and the first time a woman approached me and told me I "changed her life," I knew I made the right choice. Pure Romance is more than just toys: We are all about Educating, Empowering, and Entertaining women to enhance their relationships and help them feel better about themselves.

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