Christmas Eve is one of the most magical nights of the year for kids - and parents!
The lights twinkle a little brighter, the excitement reaches new heights, and family Christmas traditions help create those beautiful memories that last forever.
Whether you love cosy moments at home or festive adventures outdoors, there are so many ways to make Christmas Eve extra special for your children.
Read on for 20 fun ways to make Christmas Eve super special for your children.
Christmas Eve is the height of excitement, that magical pause before the big day arrives.
Santa Claus / Father Christmas is on his way!
Children are brimming with anticipation, so why not fill the day with heart-warming family traditions that help make memories they’ll cherish forever?
Here are 20 beautiful, magical ways to make Christmas Eve extra special for your little ones.
Mix and match, choose what brings joy, and enjoy the magic together.
20 Ways to Make Christmas Eve Super Special for Your Children
Here are 20 wonderful Christmas Eve ideas that will fill your home with joy, fun, family connection and Christmas sparkle.
1. Start the Day with a Christmas Eve Breakfast
Kick off the day with sparkle!
Create snowman-shaped pancakes with chocolate chip eyes, serve fruit in the shape of candy canes, or make hot chocolate with marshmallow snowmen floating on top - or all three!
Play Christmas music and light a candle to set a celebratory tone from the moment they get up.
2. Surprise Them with a Christmas Eve Box
This a tradition many families adore.
Fill a box with cosy PJs, a cuddly soft toy, slippers, a Christmas book, a hot chocolate sachet, and maybe a little activity or Christmas craft.
A lovely surprise and a great way to kick off the cosy magic!
Read more: What to Put in a Christmas Eve Box
3. Enjoy a Sparkly Festive Walk
Head outside for some fresh air and a break from the bustle.
Wrap up warm, grab torches or glow sticks, and wander the neighbourhood to admire the Christmas lights.
Take photos of the brightest displays, or search for different items using our printable scavenger hunt:
4. Have a Christmas Movie Marathon
Pick 1 or more family favourites and get comfy.
Build a blanket fort, snuggle up together, and munch on popcorn or homemade treats like gingerbread.
The Polar Express, Home Alone or Elf are classic Christmas Eve movie choices.
5. Make a Christmas Craft
Slow the day down with something creative.
Make salt dough ornaments and paint them, cut out paper snowflakes, create paper chains for the tree, or make this easy Christmas papercraft.
It doesn’t have to be perfect, the fun is in the making.
6. Update Letters to Santa
Even if letters were sent early, children can write a little thank you note or draw a picture before bedtime.
Pop it somewhere special for Santa to find, maybe near the stockings or by the cookies!
7. Bake Santa’s Favourite Cookies Together
Flour everywhere, messy aprons, lots of giggles - that’s the magic!
Children feel so proud leaving out a treat they made themselves.
If cookies aren’t your thing, decorate pre-made gingerbread or cupcakes, or make mince pies.
8. Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar
Looking for a sweet new tradition to start? How about an after-dinner hot chocolate bar!
Make a big batch of hot chocolate and lay out some fun toppings.
Whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes, sprinkles - Yum!
Grab our free printables for your hot cocoa bar:
9. Read Christmas Stories
A festive story snuggled under the Christmas tree lights makes for a dreamy evening wind-down.
Switch off the main lights and let the tree glow around you while you read.
Try a mix of classics and modern Christmas books to keep everyone engaged.
Add cushions and blankets for ultimate cosiness.
10. Track Santa’s Journey Around the World
Children LOVE this!
Watch the map as Santa moves from country to country, counting down until he reaches yours, and talk about how many children he visits along the way.
Use NORAD's Santa tracker to follow him as he flies around the world.
It’s magical for kids to see how close he’s getting! (And might even encourage them to hop into bed!)
11. Prepare Treats for Santa and the Reindeer
Create a special plate or tray just for Santa’s goodies.
A plate of biscuits or a mince pie, a glass of milk or soemthing stronger, and a carrot or two.
Sprinkle some 'reindeer food' (oats + edible glitter) outside for extra magic to help guide the reindeer to your home.
12. Crank Up a Christmas Eve Playlist
Family dance parties are pure joy.
Play favourite carols, silly songs and upbeat tunes.
Let little ones be the DJ and dance around the kitchen or in the living room by the tree lights.
Fill your playlist with family favourites and have a kitchen disco before bedtime!
13. Make a Candlelit Christmas Eve Dinner
Turn off the big lights, use special plates and enjoy a relaxed, cosy meal together.
Dim the lights and dine by candlelight (battery candles for little ones!).
Share favourite festive foods, take your time, and talk about memories from past Christmases.
Party food or a traditional family soup or crowd pleasing chilli recipe are great choices for this special meal.
14. Play Fun Christmas Games
Snowman drawing challenges, Christmas bingo, scavenger hunts - lots of giggles guaranteed!
Try Christmas bingo, a scavenger hunt for hidden candy canes, or playing pin-the-nose-on-the-reindeer.
Board games are great too - anything that gets everyone laughing and playing together.
The perfect way to occupy the last few hours before Santa comes!
Grab our FREE Christmas bingo game here:
15. Take Fun Family Photos
Set up a mini photo booth with holiday theme props and Santa hats, tinsel, sparkly glasses etc.
Take silly and serious pics to capture the excitement.
These photos make adorable keepsakes for years to come.
You could even set up a Christmas photo backdrop and have a fun family photo shoot in festive jumpers or Christmas PJs.
16. Create a Memory Keepsake
Write down favourite memories from the year, or have children draw their best moment to add to a family Christmas scrapbook.
Ask everyone to write or draw their favourite memory from the year then pop them into a jar or paste them into a scrapbook.
Do it every year and soon you’ll have a treasured family tradition to look back on.
17. Make Bath Time Magical
Get kids ready for bedtime with a fun 'Queen (or King) of Christmas' Bath.
Add Christmas bath bombs for festive colours, play Christmas music, and let them draw holiday pictures with bath crayons.
Snacks in the bath? Why not - it’s Christmas!
Bubbles, bath crayons, bath bombs that turn water red or green - treat bath time like a celebration!
18. Have a Sleepover Under the Tree
Say goodnight under the glow of the tree lights.
Use sleeping bags, fairy lights, and soft pillows.
Read a story and drift off in the magic - kids will remember it forever.
19. Read "The Night Before Christmas" Before Bed
A classic story that adds the perfect touch of anticipation and wonder.
The Night Before Christmas is is a beautiful way to settle busy minds.
Read slowly, with cosy lights and warm blankets.
It gives that wonderful sense that Santa is so, so close!
20. End with a Family Gratitude Moment
Ask each family member:
✨ What made you feel happy today?
✨ What are you grateful for?
✨ What are you most excited about tomorrow?
This simple moment creates warmth, calm and togetherness before sleep.
Talk about what you’re thankful for and what you’re most excited about tomorrow.
It's a heart-filling way to help kids drift off to sleep.
The Magic Is In the Moments
You don’t need piles of gifts or over-the-top plans.
Just choose a few traditions that bring joy to your family and let the day unfold with laughter, cuddles and twinkling lights.
Christmas Eve is about togetherness: being present, not perfect.
Your children will remember the feeling of magic you created more than anything else.
Even just a few of these ideas can make the night feel truly magical.
Choose what fits your family, keep the atmosphere relaxed, and soak up the excitement in your children’s eyes.
Wishing you and your little ones a joyful and wonder-filled Christmas Eve! 🎅✨
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