--- title: Create a New Holiday Tradition: 5 Simple DIY Activities for Kids That Everyone Will Love siteUrl: https://logzly.com/festivefamily author: festivefamily (Festive Family Traditions) date: 2026-06-16T15:22:08.720745 tags: [holiday, diy, family] url: https://logzly.com/festivefamily/create-a-new-holiday-tradition-5-simple-diy-activities-for-kids-that-everyone-will-love --- **Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn affiliate commissions when you buy through us.** The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, and before we know it the fridge is stuffed with leftovers and the to‑do list looks like a snow‑drift. I’m Mia Harper, [the voice](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Voice&tag=organizationtip101-20) behind Festive Family Traditions, and I’ve learned that the best memories aren’t bought in a store—they’re made with a little glue, some glitter, and a lot of laughter. Below are five kid‑friendly [DIY projects](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=DIY+projects&tag=organizationtip101-20) that have become yearly staples in [our home](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Our+Home&tag=organizationtip101-20). They’re cheap, quick to set up, and leave plenty of room for imagination (and the occasional mess). Feel free to tweak them to fit your family’s style; the goal is simply to spend time together and start a tradition that feels uniquely yours. If you’re looking for more [budget‑friendly family celebration ideas](/festivefamily/budget-friendly-family-celebration-ideas-for-every-season-easy-projects-to-try-at-home), this list is a great place to start. ## 1. Hand‑Stamped [Holiday Cards](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=holiday+cards&tag=organizationtip101-20) ### Why it works There’s something magical about watching a child’s eyes light up as they press a shape into ink and see a burst of color appear on paper. Stamping is mess‑friendly, needs no fine‑motor precision, and the result is a set of one‑of‑a‑kind cards that grandparents, teachers, and neighbors actually look forward to receiving. ### What you need - Plain white cardstock or any [thick paper](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=thick+paper&tag=organizationtip101-20) you have on hand - Washable [ink pads](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ink+pads&tag=organizationtip101-20) in festive shades—red, green, gold, and blue work beautifully - A potato or a kitchen sponge cut into simple shapes (think stars, trees, snowflakes) - Optional: a [rubber stamp](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rubber+stamp&tag=organizationtip101-20) with a holiday phrase like “[Happy Holidays](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Happy+Holidays&tag=organizationtip101-20)!” ### How to do it 1. **Prep the stamps** – Cut the potato or sponge into the shapes you want. My five‑year‑old insists her “potato snow‑flakes” are real snow, and honestly, who am I to argue? 2. **Ink and press** – Dip each shape into an ink pad, then press it onto the cardstock. Let the kids layer colors, overlap stamps, or create patterns. 3. **Add a message** – If you have a rubber stamp, stamp a short greeting on the back of each card. 4. **Finish and send** – Write a quick note inside, pop the cards in an envelope, and mail them off. ### Pro tip Tie a small bundle of cards with twine and tuck in a sprig of pine for a rustic touch. Kids love winding the twine themselves—it feels like they’re wrapping a present, and it adds that extra handmade charm. ## 2. [DIY Ornament](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=DIY+ornament&tag=organizationtip101-20) Countdown ### Why it works A traditional [paper advent calendar](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=paper+Advent+calendar&tag=organizationtip101-20) is fun, but swapping those flaps for tiny, [shimmering ornaments](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shimmering+ornaments&tag=organizationtip101-20) turns the countdown into a mini‑decorating project. Each day the kids get to open a surprise, hang a new sparkle on the tree, and watch [the holiday](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Holiday&tag=organizationtip101-20) spirit grow branch by branch. ### What you need - [Clear plastic](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clear+plastic&tag=organizationtip101-20) or [glass baubles](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=glass+baubles&tag=organizationtip101-20) that can be opened (the kind you find in [craft stores](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=craft+stores&tag=organizationtip101-20)) - [Small treats](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=small+treats&tag=organizationtip101-20) or notes: stickers, mini‑puzzles, tiny crayons, or a slip of paper with a fun activity (“do a snow‑angel”) - A sturdy branch, a [small tabletop tree](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=small+tabletop+tree&tag=organizationtip101-20), or even a garland to hang the baubles on ### How to do it 1. **Fill the baubles** – Place one treat or note inside each ornament. My son loves writing “build a pillow fort” on a slip of paper. 2. **Seal and hang** – Close the baubles and hang them on your chosen support in numerical order. 3. **Daily reveal** – Each morning let the kids pick the next ornament, open it, enjoy the surprise, and then hang it on the tree. ### Pro tip Use a [permanent marker](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=permanent+marker&tag=organizationtip101-20) to number the baubles. It gives the kids a visual sense of progress and builds excitement as the numbers climb toward the big day. ## 3. Snow‑Globe Story Bottles ### Why it works Storytelling is a natural part of family life, and a snow‑globe bottle lets kids create a tiny world they can shake, watch, and narrate. It’s also a sneaky way to practice sequencing—first we add the water, then the glitter, then the figure—while giving them a keepsake they can shake whenever they want a mini‑snowstorm. ### What you need - Small [clear plastic bottles](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=clear+plastic+bottles&tag=organizationtip101-20) with screw caps (like travel‑size [shampoo bottles](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shampoo+bottles&tag=organizationtip101-20)) - Water - Glitter or fine sequins - [Miniature holiday figures](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=miniature+holiday+figures&tag=organizationtip101-20) (plastic reindeer, [tiny Santa](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tiny+Santa&tag=organizationtip101-20), a [mini snowman](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mini+snowman&tag=organizationtip101-20), etc.) - A drop of glycerin (optional; it slows the glitter’s fall for a longer‑lasting swirl) ### How to do it 1. **Fill the bottle** – Pour water until it’s about three‑quarters full. 2. **Add sparkle** – Sprinkle in a pinch of glitter and, if you have it, a drop of glycerin. 3. **Drop in the characters** – Place one or two tiny figures inside. My daughter always insists on a snowman at the bottom. 4. **Seal and shake** – Screw the cap on tight, give it a good shake, and watch the glitter swirl like a snowstorm. ### Pro tip Write a short “scene” on a slip of paper—something like “The reindeer delivers gifts to the snowman”—and tuck it in with the figures. Kids can read the story while the glitter falls, turning the bottle into a living [picture book](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=picture+book&tag=organizationtip101-20). ## 4. Cookie‑Cutting Relay ### Why it works [Baking together](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Baking+Together&tag=organizationtip101-20) is a holiday staple, but turning the cookie‑cutting step into a friendly race adds a burst of energy and gives each child a turn to be the “chef.” It’s also a great way to keep the dough from sitting too long and getting tough. ### What you need - Simple [sugar cookie dough](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sugar+cookie+dough&tag=organizationtip101-20) (store‑bought or homemade) - A set of holiday [cookie cutters](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cookie+cutters&tag=organizationtip101-20) (stars, trees, bells, etc.) - A timer or kitchen clock - [Baking sheets](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=baking+sheets&tag=organizationtip101-20) and [parchment paper](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Parchment+paper&tag=organizationtip101-20) ### How to do it 1. **Roll out the dough** – On a lightly [floured surface](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=floured+surface&tag=organizationtip101-20), roll the dough to about ¼‑inch thickness. 2. **Set the timer** – Choose a short interval, like two minutes. When it starts, the first child runs to the cutter, presses it into the dough, and runs back to place the shape on a [baking sheet](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=baking+sheet&tag=organizationtip101-20). 3. **Rotate** – The next child repeats the process until the timer dings. 4. **Bake and decorate** – Bake the cookies as usual, let them cool, then let the kids decorate their own creations with icing, sprinkles, or candy. ### Pro tip Hand out silly titles at the end—“Chief Star Cutter,” “Bell Master,” or “[Tree Topper](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tree+topper&tag=organizationtip101-20).” The kids love the extra recognition, and it makes the activity feel like a mini‑competition rather than a chore. ## 5. [Family Photo](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=family+photo&tag=organizationtip101-20) [Scavenger Hunt](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=scavenger+hunt&tag=organizationtip101-20) ### Why it works A scavenger hunt gets everyone moving, laughing, and working together. The photo proof becomes a [digital scrapbook](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=digital+scrapbook&tag=organizationtip101-20) you can revisit year after year, showing how the kids grow and how the holiday traditions evolve. ### What you need - A list of holiday‑[themed items](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=themed+items&tag=organizationtip101-20) or scenes (e.g., “a sock on the fireplace,” “the cat wearing a ribbon,” “a snow‑covered window”) - A smartphone or simple camera - A small prize for the winner—maybe a homemade coupon for “extra [bedtime story](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bedtime+story&tag=organizationtip101-20)” or a peppermint stick ### How to do it 1. **Create the list** – Write 10‑15 items on a [sheet of paper](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sheet+of+paper&tag=organizationtip101-20). Keep it mix of easy and slightly challenging so all ages can participate. 2. **Set the clock** – Give everyone 30 minutes (adjust based on your kids’ ages and attention spans). 3. **Snap and search** – Each family member (or team) heads out to find and photograph each item on the list. 4. **Gather and share** – Reconvene, share the photos, and tally who found the most. Celebrate the winner with your little prize. ### Pro tip After the hunt, upload the photos to a shared album or create a simple collage. It’s a quick way to look back and see how each year’s hunt changes as the kids get older—and it makes for a fun slideshow during [holiday movie night](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=holiday+movie+night&tag=organizationtip101-20). These five ideas are meant to be easy [entry points](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Entry+Points&tag=organizationtip101-20) for a new holiday tradition. The common thread is that they all let kids be hands‑on, creative, and a little bit proud of what they make. For even more inspiration, check out our guide to [5 simple holiday traditions kids love](/festivefamily/5-simple-holiday-traditions-kids-love-and-how-to-start-them-this-year). When the activity becomes a yearly ritual, the excitement builds not just around the holiday itself, but around the shared moments that make the season feel truly special. I’ve tried each of these in my own home, and the smiles (and occasional glitter‑covered messes) have been worth every minute. Give one a try this season, and you’ll see how a simple [DIY project](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=DIY+project&tag=organizationtip101-20) can turn into a beloved family memory.