Spending time with your grandchildren during the holidays doesn’t have to mean buying expensive presents, visiting crowded attractions, or spending a small fortune on Christmas activities. In fact, some of the most memorable holiday traditions are the simplest ones, like decorating the Christmas tree together, looking through old family photographs, or making homemade ornaments with supplies you already have around the house.
And while it’s always fun to treat the grandkids to something special, the holidays are also a wonderful opportunity to share family stories and traditions that have been passed down through generations. After all, your grandchildren might be just as fascinated by what Christmas looked like when you were their age as they are by the latest toys and gadgets.
Whether you’re spending the afternoon with toddlers or entertaining older grandchildren during winter break, there are plenty of ways to make the season feel special without opening your wallet. From homemade Christmas crafts to festive family traditions, here are 12 free holiday activities for grandparents and grandkids that might just become annual favorites.
Take a Walk to See the Neighborhood Christmas Lights
There’s something magical about walking through a neighborhood filled with twinkling Christmas lights, inflatable snowmen, and houses decorated from top to bottom. Instead of paying admission to an elaborate holiday light show, bundle up the grandkids and take a stroll around a nearby neighborhood after dark. You can even turn the outing into a scavenger hunt by asking them to spot a reindeer, a candy cane, Santa Claus, or a house decorated entirely with white lights. Along the way, share memories of what Christmas decorations looked like when you were growing up.
Make Paper Snowflakes for the Windows
Remember spending hours folding pieces of paper and cutting out little shapes, only to unfold them and discover a completely unexpected snowflake? It’s a classic winter activity that still works just as well today. All you need is some paper, scissors, and a little imagination. Younger grandchildren can make simple designs with your help, while older kids can experiment with more elaborate patterns. Once everyone has finished, hang the snowflakes in the windows or use them to decorate the house. You could even have a friendly competition to see who creates the most unusual design.
Teach Grandkids the Christmas Songs You Grew Up Singing
Before streaming services and endless holiday playlists, many families entertained themselves by singing Christmas carols together. Why not bring that tradition back? Gather around the piano if you have one, play some familiar holiday music, or simply start singing the songs you remember from childhood. You might be surprised by how many classics your grandchildren already know. Let everyone choose a favorite song, and tell them about the Christmases when you first learned yours. It’s a simple way to share a little family history, and you don’t need musical talent to enjoy it.
Look Through Old Family Christmas Photographs
If you have boxes of old Christmas photographs or family albums tucked away in a closet, the holidays are the perfect time to bring them out. Grandchildren often love seeing what their parents and grandparents looked like as children, especially when the pictures feature funny hairstyles, old-fashioned decorations, or toys they’ve never seen before. Make a game out of guessing which decade each photograph was taken in, or ask them to identify family members. Chances are, one picture will remind you of a story you haven’t told in years, and that’s where the real fun begins.
Decorate the Christmas Tree Together
Decorating the Christmas tree is already a holiday tradition in many households, but inviting the grandkids to help can make it even more special. Let younger children hang shatterproof ornaments on the lower branches while older grandchildren help arrange decorations and choose where everything should go. If you have ornaments that have been in the family for decades, take the opportunity to explain where they came from. That slightly battered ornament your child made in kindergarten might not look particularly impressive, but it could become your grandchild’s favorite decoration once they hear the story behind it.
Trending on Cheapism
Visit the Public Library for a Free Holiday Storytime
Your local public library might have more holiday activities than you realize. Many libraries organize free seasonal storytimes, winter crafts, family reading events, and other programs for children throughout December. Check the library’s event calendar to see what’s available for your grandchildren’s ages, and find out whether advance registration is required. Afterward, you can browse the shelves together and borrow a few Christmas or winter-themed books to read at home. It’s a particularly good option for grandparents looking for an inexpensive indoor outing when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Make a Garland From Recycled Paper
You don’t need to visit a craft store to make festive decorations with your grandchildren. In fact, some of the easiest Christmas crafts use materials you probably already have, like old magazines, leftover wrapping paper, and colorful scraps of construction paper. Cut the paper into strips, form them into loops, and connect them to create a garland for the tree or a doorway. For an extra personal touch, have everyone write a favorite holiday memory or something they’re thankful for on each link. By the time you’re finished, you’ll have a decoration that’s much more meaningful than anything you could buy at the store.
Build a Snowman or Create a Winter Nature Sculpture
If you’re lucky enough to have snow during the holidays, building a snowman is one of those classic activities that never really gets old. Head outside with the grandkids and see what you can create using a few household items for the face and accessories. Give your snowman a name and invent a story about where he came from. And if you live somewhere that doesn’t get snow, you can still enjoy a similar activity by collecting fallen leaves, twigs, and stones to make a little outdoor sculpture. The important part is getting outside, being creative, and working on something together.
Sign up for our newsletter
Make Handmade Holiday Cards for Relatives
Store-bought Christmas cards can be surprisingly expensive, especially when you’re sending them to a long list of relatives and friends. Instead, gather some paper, colored pencils, old magazines, and whatever craft supplies you already have, and spend an afternoon making cards with the grandkids. Younger children can draw pictures or decorate the covers, while older ones can write personal messages inside. Encourage them to make a card for a relative they don’t see very often, perhaps including a favorite memory or a funny family story. You can deliver the finished cards by hand or send photographs of them digitally to avoid postage costs.
Visit a Free Community Christmas Tree Lighting
You don’t have to pay for an expensive holiday attraction to experience a little Christmas magic. Many towns organize free tree-lighting ceremonies, downtown celebrations, and community caroling events during the holiday season. Watching a giant Christmas tree light up while everyone counts down together can be just as exciting for young children as visiting a ticketed attraction. Check your town’s official event calendar for free activities, and remember that some events may charge separately for things like refreshments or special attractions. Arriving early can also help you find a comfortable place to watch, especially if standing for long periods is difficult.
Teach Grandkids a Favorite Family Holiday Recipe
Some of the best holiday memories happen in the kitchen, especially when there’s a family recipe involved. Whether it’s your grandmother’s sugar cookies, a simple holiday treat, or something your own children loved growing up, invite the grandkids to help prepare it. Younger children can measure ingredients or stir mixtures, while older ones can take on more complicated tasks with supervision. As you cook, tell them where the recipe came from and why your family makes it every Christmas. If you already have the ingredients in your pantry, the activity doesn’t have to cost anything. And don’t forget to write the recipe down so they can make it themselves someday.
Start a Family Holiday Memory Book
One of the most meaningful things you can do with your grandchildren during the holidays is create something they’ll be able to look back on for years. Find an unused notebook and turn it into a family holiday memory book, filling the pages with photographs, drawings, favorite recipes, and stories about Christmases past. Let the grandchildren interview you with questions like, “What was your favorite Christmas present when you were little?” or “What did your family eat on Christmas Eve?” You can add a few pages every December, creating a tradition that grows as the children get older. Best of all, you’ll be preserving family memories that might otherwise be forgotten.
Making Holiday Memories Doesn’t Have to Cost a Thing
When it comes to spending time with your grandchildren during the holidays, the most meaningful experiences aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest price tags. A simple afternoon making paper snowflakes, singing Christmas carols, or looking through old family albums can create memories that last much longer than the excitement of opening another present.
And while it’s tempting to plan elaborate outings and activities, sometimes the best thing you can give your grandkids is your time and attention. Whether you’re passing down a beloved family recipe or starting a brand-new tradition together, these little moments are what make the holidays special. Who knows? Years from now, your grandchildren might be sharing those same traditions with their own families.
