The holidays are the perfect time to slow down, make memories, and enjoy the magic of the season through your grandkids’ eyes. What may seem to you like simple ways to entertain your grandkids – like baking together, driving around to see holiday decorations, or watching a holiday movie in your PJs – your grandkids will remember for a lifetime.
If you’re looking for some holiday activities to do with the grandkids this season, this list is full of memory-making traditions that bring everyone closer together and help reduce feelings of holiday loneliness.
1. Create a “bucket list” of holiday activities to do with grandkids.
Make a list of holiday activities to do with grandkids before the season ends, like baking cookies, wrapping presents, visiting a light display, or singing carols. Having a list gives everyone something fun to look forward to each week and keeps the holiday spirit alive all season long.
2. Bake and decorate holiday cookies.
The smell of cookies baking in the oven instantly fills the house with holiday cheer. Baking is one of those timeless intergenerational activities that never goes out of style. You can teach your grandkids old family holiday recipes or try something new together. Choose a few classic recipes like sugar cookies or gingerbread men or keep things simple with slice-and-bake dough.
Psst… Don’t worry about the mess — it’s all part of the fun!
3. Go on a Christmas lights adventure together.
One of the most magical things to do with grandkids is driving around to admire holiday lights. Bundle up, pour some hot cocoa into travel mugs, play some festive music on the radio, and take a drive to see holiday lights and decorations.
You can even make it extra fun by voting with your grandkids for “Best Lights,” “Most Creative,” or “Silliest Display” along the way. This easy, cozy outing is one of the best holiday activities for seniors who want to enjoy the season without much prep work.
Tip: Don’t let the stress and hassle of driving stop you from enjoying your favorite intergenerational activities this holiday season. Sit back, relax, and let GoGo Rides lead your adventure! Just give us a call, and our friendly operators can help you plan your outing, whether you want to cruise through a neighborhood known for its dazzling displays or visit a nearby light show event.
4. Decorate your home together.
Decorating the house is one of the most meaningful holiday activities to do with grandkids. Let the grandkids help hang ornaments on the tree, set up a train set, or string lights around the porch. Put on festive music and make it a party! The process is as fun as the result, creating long-lasting intergenerational bonding filled with laughter and love.
5. Create a handmade ornament every year.
Use craft supplies, recycled materials, or even old photos to make ornaments. Label the back with the year and make it an annual tradition! Over time, you’ll create a beautiful collection that tells your family’s story, one of the most meaningful and memorable things to do with grandkids during the holidays.
6. Plan a “Pajamas and Pancakes” morning.
Pick a morning to stay in your pajamas and cook breakfast with your loved ones. Make snowmen-shaped pancakes, add whipped cream and sprinkles, sip hot chocolate, and play your favorite holiday tunes. It’s one of the most fun and relaxing holiday activities to do with grandkids this December!
If cooking isn’t your thing, catch a GoGo Ride in your pajamas to a local breakfast spot – and order dessert first! It’s a playful twist on intergenerational bonding that turns an ordinary morning into a memorable outing, and your grandkids will think you’re the coolest!
7. Start a giving tree tradition.
A giving tree is an intergenerational activity that teaches kindness and generosity. Have each family member write an act of kindness on a paper ornament — like “bake cookies for a neighbor” or “donate a toy”. Each day or week, pick one to complete together. It’s one of the best holiday activities to do with grandkids that combines fun with a valuable life lesson.
8. Make holiday crafts together.
Bring out the art supplies – paper, glue, glitter, and paint – and spend an afternoon making wreaths, snowflakes, or holiday cards. Crafting is one of the most popular holiday activities to do with grandkids because it gives kids a creative outlet while keeping little hands busy. Plus, you’ll have keepsakes – and memories – you can treasure for a lifetime.
9. Write letters to Santa.
Help your grandkids write their wish lists to Santa, encouraging them to add a few items that give back to others as well. For older kids, you can switch it up and write letters of gratitude or notes to family members. Writing letters together makes for heartwarming intergenerational bonding and is one of those things to do with grandkids that builds lasting connections.
P.S. For a little extra magic, collect the letters and write back as Santa! Slip the replies into their stockings or mailbox for a heartwarming surprise that keeps the holiday spirit alive. For older kids, write back as yourself, giving them extra love and encouragement!
10. Read holiday stories together.
Reading together is a quiet yet powerful form of intergenerational bonding. Pick a favorite holiday book – like The Night Before Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas – and read it aloud around the fire or snuggled up on the couch. This timeless holiday activity for seniors and grandkids can be done in person or over video chat, making it perfect for families who live in different states.
11. Build a gingerbread house.
Get ready for sticky fingers and lots of laughs. Building a gingerbread house is one of the most hands-on holiday activities to do with grandkids – and a delicious one, too. You can buy a kit or make your own with graham crackers and icing. Let each person decorate their own section of the same house, or turn it into a friendly competition with multiple houses. The best part isn’t perfection – it’s sneaking candy, getting creative, and laughing while you build.
12. Go on a winter nature walk.
If the weather allows, bundle up and head outdoors for a stroll in the crisp air at a local park or trail. Go birdwatching or collect pinecones, holly, or winterberries. Bring your treasures home to create a natural holiday centerpiece together. It’s one of the simplest holiday activities for seniors and grandkids that combines fresh air, light exercise, and connection.
Plus, with GoGo Rides, getting there is easy and stress-free. Our friendly GoGo Guardians can help you plan your trip to a nearby park, nature trail, or botanical garden.
13. Start a yearly family photo tradition.
Take a family photo in the same spot each year — by the tree, on the porch, or in front of the fireplace. Watching the family grow is one of the most sentimental holiday activities for seniors and an easy way to encourage intergenerational bonding during the holidays.
14. Host a holiday movie night.
Turn your living room into a cozy theater with blankets, snacks, and everyone’s favorite holiday movies. Classic films like Home Alone or It’s a Wonderful Life make great intergenerational bonding experiences because everyone can enjoy them, or try new releases your grandkids love. Add popcorn, blankets, and candy canes, and you’ve created one of the simplest holiday activities for seniors and kids alike.
This is also one of the best intergenerational activities if you live far apart. You can video call your loved ones, start the movie at the same time, and enjoy it “together.” You can even share snacks and chat about your favorite scenes afterward.
15. Build a family time capsule.
Gather small keepsakes of your family from the year, like photos, recipes, holiday cards, or handwritten notes. Seal them in a box to open next Christmas. This meaningful holiday activity for seniors is reflective, fun, and helps preserve family memories.
16. Have a storytelling and intergenerational bonding night.
Light a fire (or a candle) and share stories from holidays when you were young. Let your grandkids tell their favorite memories, too. Storytelling fosters emotional connection and intergenerational bonding; these are the kinds of holiday activities to do with grandkids that truly bridge generations and keep family history alive.
17. Volunteer as a family.
Giving back to your community is a powerful way to bond. Whether you’re working at a food bank or making handmade cards for a local shelter, volunteering is one of the most meaningful and valuable holiday activities for seniors to teach grandkids the true meaning of the holiday spirit.
18. Have a themed family game night.
Play holiday trivia, bingo, or board games with a festive twist – like Christmas-themed Pictionary, Charades, or Holiday Jeopardy. Fun intergenerational activities like these encourage teamwork, creativity, and silliness – and everyone can join in!
19. Make a family recipe book.
Gather your family’s favorite recipes and write them down, sharing the stories and memories behind each dish as you go. Maybe it’s Grandma’s famous stuffing, your mom’s secret cookie recipe, or something new you create with your grandkids this year. Add photos, family notes, or even drawings from the little ones to make it extra special. This mix of storytelling, cooking, and laughter transforms a simple project into meaningful intergenerational bonding. You can even print copies as gifts for everyone in the family – a keepsake to pass down for generations.
Create connection and magic with these holiday activities to do with grandkids
You don’t need grand plans or expensive gifts to create lasting memories. These intergenerational activities turn ordinary moments into cherished memories that will last long after the season ends.
Don’t let transportation stop you from doing holiday activities with the grandkids. When you’re ready to visit a light show, volunteer together, or head to a family dinner, let GoGo Rides help you get there safely and easily. Our safe, easy transportation means you can focus on what really matters — making memories with the people you love most. Learn more about GoGo Rides here.
