Creating Holiday Magic: How to Get Your Kids Involved in Festive Decorating
The holiday season is the perfect time to create magical moments at home — and involving your children in the decorating process makes the experience even more meaningful. Whether your family loves crafting, baking, or simply enjoying the sparkle of the season, getting kids involved turns holiday decorating into cherished memories.
Below are fun, creative, and age-appropriate ways to include your kids in festive decorating, plus a few additional ideas to make this holiday season unforgettable.
1. Set the Stage for Creativity
Create a designated, kid-friendly decorating space and fill it with ornaments, ribbons, lights, and crafting supplies. Give your children choices — which tree to decorate, which colors to use, or what ornaments to place where. Offering freedom (with guidance for younger ones!) encourages confidence and ownership of the finished look.
2. Honor Family Traditions
Kids love taking part in meaningful rituals. Invite them to hang ornaments, place stockings by the fireplace, arrange village pieces, or help switch on the holiday lights. Not only does this nurture tradition, it cultivates connection to the season year after year.
3. Make Personalized Decorations
Set up a craft station stocked with paper, glue, glitter, markers, paint, and ribbons. Kids can create personalized ornaments, garlands, gift tags, or door signs. These keepsakes add warmth and charm to your décor — and become priceless memories over time.
4. Work on Family Craft Projects
Team up to make décor everyone can enjoy. Try:
- DIY wreaths for the front door
- Handmade garlands for banisters or mantels
- Custom centerpieces for the table
- Decorated picture frames featuring holiday photos
These collaborative projects not only look great but strengthen family connection.
5. Go Beyond Decorating: Create Magical Holiday Moments
The magic doesn’t have to end once the decorations are up! Extend the holiday fun with activities your kids will look forward to every year.
a. Play in the Snow & Build Snowmen:
If your winter climate allows, get outside! Build snowmen, make snow angels, or explore a snowy neighborhood walk. Outdoor fun adds excitement (and burns off holiday energy!).
b. Bake Cookies Together:
The smell of fresh cookies is pure holiday joy. Let kids help measure, mix, decorate, and taste-test. Choose classic favorites or try a new family recipe. It’s the perfect blend of creativity and deliciousness.
c. Host a Holiday Movie Night:
Create cozy holiday movie marathons with blankets, hot cocoa, and your kids' favorite festive films. Let each child choose a movie for different nights. It’s simple, fun, and memory-making at its best.
Getting your children involved in holiday decorating is about more than hanging ornaments — it builds traditions, creativity, and joy that last long after the season ends. From our family to yours, Ernest Homes wishes you a warm and magical holiday season!
