Earlier today a “memory” popped up on Facebook. It was a video of Max and Edie wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving from four years ago. I’m guessing that you’re like me and feeling some feels about how different the holidays look this year. That’s one reason I wanted to spread some cheer with these holiday printables for families that I made! Holiday conversation starters, a family gratitude booklet and holiday Bingo will bring you huge smiles, no matter how big (or small) your holiday gatherings turn out to be this year.
All these holiday activity printables for kids are fun for the whole family. (It’s hilarious to hear both a grandparent and child answer “What’s the hardest part of being your age?”—one of the prompts in my holiday conversation starters printable.)
If you’re looking for a fun activity or icebreaker for after Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, or you’re hunting for a holiday travel printable for kids, these holiday activities, games and cards are right up your alley. Maybe you’ll be like my family and make these a part of a new holiday tradition!
(Another new tradition: taking goofball Christmas-themed photos in front of a wrapping paper backdrop!)
And speaking of new family holiday traditions, I’m obsessed with our matching Christmas jammies from Shinesty. We had so much fun goofing off and taking pictures using the timer function on my phone! Snag your own matching family jammies (affiliate link).
Shinesty’s offbeat patterns perfectly inspired us to go full-on ridiculous. The level of goofiness in this new Christmas tradition is up to you. 😉
In this post, I’ll share downloadable printables, along with recommendations on how to use them, for:
- Holiday conversation starters. Print out these 42 questions for kids and adults to spark both funny and deep conversations.
- Family gratitude booklet printable. Filled with gratitude prompts for kids and grown-ups, plus fun thankfulness activities and quotes, this printable is a fun family activity to do together.
- Holiday Bingo cards. Everyone loves Bingo! It’s fun to play this holiday-themed game whether you’re taking a road trip or just driving around town.
Download the free holiday Bingo cards here!
I’m so excited for you and your crew to do these fun holiday activities for the whole family. Try them in person or over Facetime and Zoom.
I’m wishing you a joyful season, no matter what it looks like this year.
Holiday Conversation Starters printables
The other day, Edie asked how we’re going to celebrate Christmas. We’re still working out how to make it special, but Edie was very concerned about not having our extended family over to celebrate.
“But Christmas is all about being together with your family!” she said.
The holidays are all about family. And one part of the holidays I most love is having the opportunity to slow down and spend quality time together. I made these holiday conversation starter prompts to spark memorable discussions—in person or over Zoom.
I adore lingering at the dining table long after everyone’s plates are clean. It seems as if a full belly helps the conversation flow. My family and I can spend literally hours talking, laughing and joking after a holiday meal.
These holiday conversation starters are meant to help your family do the same.
The questions are all-ages appropriate and will take you beyond the standard questions (like “what are you grateful for?”). And these interesting questions will get everyone in the family, from kids and teens to parents and grandparents, chatting.
I recommend printing these holiday conversation starters on paper that’s thicker than printer paper. That way they’ll hold up for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and beyond. And you can store them with your other Christmas decorations so you can use them again next year.
And even if you’re celebrating apart from family and loved ones this year, you can still use these questions to prompt interesting conversations! Use them over Facetime or Zoom when you virtually get together this holiday.
Download my holiday conversations starters cards here!
Gratitude printable + prompts
In my family, we try to talk about what we’re thankful for at most meals. Maxine loves thanking the sun and rain for helping grow the plants we ate. Edie, bless her heart, usually thanks me for cooking (even if the extent of my cooking is warming up leftovers).
I’m pretty sure you’re like me in that you take your gratitude practice up a notch during Thanksgiving and Christmas—and the whole holiday season.
I designed this family gratitude booklet so families could answer gratitude prompts together. As you fill it out, you’ll create a kind of gratitude journal that everyone contributes to. It makes an amazing keepsake.
Filled with gratitude prompts for kids, this booklet asks families to reflect on what they love about each member of the fam. I also included gratitude quotes and other fun activities.
My family and I are filling this gratitude journal between now and Thanksgiving. By answering gratitude prompts over the course of a week or so, no one gets burned out on thankfulness. Ha!
The free gratitude printable helps us pause during a busy time of year like Thanksgiving. That way, we all stay mindful of what’s truly at the heart of Thanksgiving: gratitude, family and togetherness.
Download the gratitude printable book here!
Free holiday Bingo printables
My family typically alternates between hosting a big family Christmas at our house and traveling to spend the holiday at my parents’ home or flying to relatives’ homes in the Midwest. Along with everything else in 2021, this year looks different.
We’ll be celebrating Christmas just the four of us.
We’re all sad, which is why I’m thinking extra-hard about ways to make this holiday special. I’m also considering how we can carry on family traditions—with a twist to ensure we keep our loved ones and community safe.
So this year, although we’re not traveling anywhere for the holidays, I’m still printing out these holiday Bingo cards to play as a family.
I originally designed them to be played on a road trip or while flying. They can just as easily be played while driving around town or running errands.
My own kids love the excitement of looking for a menorah or someone in a Santa hat. They are totally jazzed about marking off each spotted item, whether they get an actual Bingo or not.
This season, I’m going to keep these holiday Bingo games in the car with us all the time. That way I can hand them back to the kids whenever we’re going on a drive. They can look out the window to spot a wreath or a snowman. They stay entertained—and I don’t have to answer my kids’ favorite question, “What can I do that’s fun for me?” #eyeroll
I sometimes get really down about how much has changed this year. But I do my best to refocus my energy on the wonderful opportunities we still have to make memories and have fun as a family.
The holiday Bingo cards are one way to do that!
I designed a set of four different Bingo cards so kids will mark off different squares, even if they both spot a candy cane or mistletoe. I recommend sliding them into a clear plastic sleeve: Kids can mark off the squares they find with a dry erase marker, and you can reuse the sheets time and again.
Download the holiday Bingo cards here!
Fun + free holiday activity printables for kids
If I hear the phrase “the new normal” one more time, I may scream. But the reality is we’re all adjusting to how the holidays are different this year. You might be going all-in for a holiday blowout. You might be paring down for a super-simple celebration. You might fall somewhere in between.
Either way, these holiday family activity printables will help keep this holiday season merry and bright.
So if your budget could use a load off, I know you’ll appreciate these free and budget-friendly activities. Download the holiday conversation sparkers, holiday Bingo cards or family gratitude journal—or all three! I’ve already heard so many touching stories from families who have filled out the gratitude booklet together.
So go ahead and get your copies. Please check back in once you’ve had a chance to use them. I’d love to hear how they added to your family’s holiday celebrations!
