Our favorite time of year has snuck upon us yet again and we don’t know about you, but we plan to make the most of it. There’s truly nothing better than experiencing the holiday magic through the eyes of your little one. That’s why we rounded up our favorite ways to celebrate the holidays with our kiddos…Trust us, the memories will be priceless.

Jam out to holiday music

OK, we may all pretend the radio stations are kicking off the season too early, but none of us can pretend we aren’t singing along to Every. Single. Song. Put on some of the classics (check out this Spotify playlist) and start dancing! Watch your mini get their first taste of the music they’ll be listening to…for the rest of time.

Have a fancy dinner party

Playing dress-up is, trust us, one of your mini’s favorite things to do. It may, in fact, be one of your favorite things, too ;). Explain to them that one of your family dinners is holiday-themed and extra special. Let them dress up in whatever they think is their best holiday attire and be prepared with a camera because this could get good. Sit back and enjoy your mini at their utmost for this festive meal.

Plan a holiday scavenger hunt

A hunt for hidden items that isn’t you trying to find your phone, a lost sock or your sanity for the 3rd time that day? Count us in. Head to the dollar store, get some holiday decor, and hide them around your house. Show your kiddo pictures of what they’re looking for and send them on their way! Once everything is found, decorate the living room or kitchen with your scavenged goods.

Cook up some healthy hot cocoa

Health-ify hot cocoa and turn it into a kitchen activity with mega reward for your kiddo. Follow this simple recipe to brew up a steamy cup of hot cocoa both you and your mini can get behind. Measuring, organizing and flavor tasting every step of the way makes this an activity for the memory book.

Recipe:
– 2 c unsweetened almond milk (or milk of your choice)
– 2 tbsp. cocoa powder (not an artificial mix)
– 2 tbsp. raw honey or pure maple syrup
– 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
– 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract or cinnamon (optional)

Directions: Bring milk to a low simmer and add remaining ingredients, stirring and adjusting as needed (and based on your little one’s discerning palate, of course).

Make a music video (it MIGHT go viral)

Ever seen the XMAS Jammies video with the adorable family singing about their matching pajamas? This could be you and your fam. Go out of the box on this one and get in the belly laughs with your fam in creating this goofy, memorable music video together.

Play “I Spy”

Ahhh, there’s nothing like a department store window display with such intricate detail you stand there and wonder, “Who in the world had the TIME for this?!”. That holiday display and whoever made it? They’re your new best friend. Play the ultimate game of I Spy with your kids and spot what your little one spies with their little eyes.

Create a holiday sketch show

Should your family have its own TikTok account? It should now. Take a page out of Ben Aaron’s book and get your kids involved in a hilarious set of skits around the house that we are SO here for. Honestly, please DM us what you come up…we can’t wait.

Go through old toys to give to children in need

Children love the idea of giving back—really! It might surprise you to find just how much your kiddo loves being generous and seeing the impact of helping out others. So make a Marie Kondo Day of it. Go through old toys and tell your mini to pick out what they feel can be gifted to other children who might not be so lucky. Teach them a few Marie tricks, like holding their toy close to their chest, closing their eyes and checking to see if it still gives them that “spark.” This may be worth filming and DMing to us because the visual on this cuteness is just too good.

Send your kids on a nostalgia trip with you

Making sure your kids get to see all the cool parts of your childhood is mission critical. Find your favorite holiday episodes, movies and songs from the 90s and 00s and plop the kiddos on the couch for a trip down memory lane. Might we suggest A Rugrats Chanukah with a side of A Very Topanga Christmas? We’re not including Home Alone because we know you’ve already got that covered.

12 Days of Gratitude

There’s nothing quite like that moment you realize you’re raising some really great people. Give yourself the gift of hearing your kid share what they’re most thankful for (brb, melting just thinking about it). Each day before dinner or bed in lead up to the holidays, have your little one share something they’re grateful for – use it as a reminder for both of you that life is pretty darn special.