Family Holiday Celebrations (September Through December)

Once the school year kicks off, it can feel like life moves at lightning speed. If you're short on time but big on heart, this guide is for you. We’ve compiled simple, joy-filled ideas for making holiday memories with your family from September through the New Year. Whether you're looking for Labor Day activities for toddlers or a DIY New Year's celebration for teens, this list has you covered. It’s a follow-up to our popular post: Family Holiday Celebrations (April through July) — and it's brimming with inspiration.

Labor Day Crafts and Activities for Kids (First Monday in September)

On this day, we celebrate the labor movement and trade work’s contributions. We recognize their role in developing the infrastructure of the United States.

Building Our Country (Ages 1–3)

Get out a collection of different types of blocks and building bricks. Build towers, roads, and bridges. Note the different colors and textures. Explain how not everything fits together just right and how important it is that people in our community are trained to build these things for us. Take a picture of them with their masterpieces to remember this fun activity.

Seaside Statue (Ages 4–7)

Spending time at the pool, lake, or ocean is a long-standing Labor Day tradition. On the beach or in a sandbox, have your young person build a statue. For groups, you can form teams, or in a larger space, let everyone build their own creation. Talk about the available materials, encourage creativity, and discuss the meaning or inspiration behind their statue.

Trade Talent Hunt (Ages 8–11)

Plan a scavenger hunt where kids search for items or tools related to various trades. Include things like a toy hammer, measuring tape, or a level. Afterward, discuss how these tools are used by workers to help build homes, roads, and bridges. Incorporate a small craft project where they "design" their dream town on paper or with modeling clay.

Skills Spotlight (Ages 12+)

Encourage older kids to learn a new skill related to trade work. This could include simple woodworking, fixing a bike, or even shadowing a family member who works in a trade for the day. End the activity with a discussion about how these skills contribute to society and the people who inspire them most.

Halloween Ideas for Creative Kids (October 31)

Halloween is a time for costumes, creativity, and a touch of spooky fun. From carving pumpkins to trick-or-treating, it’s a holiday that invites families to embrace imagination and celebrate the magic of the season together.

Pumpkin Patch Fun (Ages 1–3)

Take your little ones to a local pumpkin patch. Let them explore pumpkins of different shapes and sizes, teaching them new words like "round," "bumpy," or "smooth." End with decorating pumpkins using stickers, markers, or non-toxic paint for a mess-free and safe activity.

Spooky Storytime (Ages 4–7)

Read Halloween-themed books together and encourage your child to draw pictures of their favorite characters or scenes. Alternatively, help them create their own short, spooky story using their imagination.

DIY Haunted House (Ages 8–11)

Get crafty by designing a mini haunted house out of cardboard boxes or recycled materials. Include spooky elements like tissue paper ghosts or LED tea lights. Discuss how architects and engineers design real homes, tying it back to creativity and teamwork.

Scare-a-Thon (Ages 12+)

Plan a scare-filled movie night featuring age-appropriate spooky films. Create themed snacks like "witch’s fingers" (carrot sticks) or "monster punch" (green juice with floating gummy worms). To add a fun twist, have a contest to see who can design the scariest room décor for the night.

Veteran's Day Crafts and Family Projects (November 11)

A day to honor military veterans who have served the country. It’s a time to teach children the importance of gratitude and respect.

Thank You Cards (Ages 1–3)

Help your little ones create simple thank-you cards for veterans using handprints, stickers, or finger paints. Add a message like, “Thank you for keeping us safe!” Deliver the cards to a local veteran’s organization or share them with family members who have served.

Flags of Honor (Ages 4–7)

Teach children about the flag as a symbol of service and freedom. Provide craft materials to make their own paper flags or decorate cupcakes with patriotic themes. Share stories about what bravery and service mean in age-appropriate ways.

Service Stories (Ages 8–11)

Encourage kids to interview a veteran they know (a family member, neighbor, or friend). They can ask about the veteran’s experiences and what serving meant to them. Create a scrapbook or presentation to share their findings with others.

Community Service (Ages 12+)

Organize a family volunteer day to support local veterans, such as cleaning up a memorial site, preparing care packages, or participating in a charity walk/run for veterans. Reflect together on the value of service and giving back.

Thanksgiving (Fourth Thursday in November)

Thanksgiving is a day to gather with loved ones, share a hearty meal, and reflect on the blessings of the past year. From preparing favorite recipes together to expressing gratitude around the dinner table, it’s a time to celebrate family, community, and the joy of giving.

Little Helpers (Ages 1–3)

Include toddlers in Thanksgiving preparations by letting them “help” with simple tasks like washing vegetables, stirring batter, or arranging napkins. Talk about being thankful for the food and the people who make it.

Gratitude Tree (Ages 4–7)

Create a gratitude tree with paper leaves. Have your kids write or draw things they are thankful for on each leaf, then hang them on a tree made of branches in a vase or drawn on paper. Share these during dinner as a family.

Recipe Tradition (Ages 8–11)

Teach kids a simple family recipe that they can prepare with minimal assistance. Share stories about where the recipe came from and why it’s part of your Thanksgiving tradition.

Friendsgiving (Ages 12+)

Let older kids organize a Friendsgiving with their peers. They can plan a simple menu, decorate the table, and reflect on the importance of friendship and gratitude. Include a moment to talk about family traditions they want to carry forward.

Christmas Family Traditions by Age Group (December 25)

Christmas is a season of joy, giving, and togetherness, filled with traditions that warm the heart. From decorating the tree to exchanging gifts and sharing festive meals, it’s a time to celebrate love and connection with family and friends. 

Jingle and Jangle (Ages 1–3)

Sing holiday songs together and introduce musical toys or simple instruments like tambourines or maracas. Let them “play” along to jingles. Set up a small Christmas tree that’s safe for little hands to decorate.

Crafty Christmas (Ages 4–7)

Host a craft session to make ornaments or decorations for the tree. Use materials like popsicle sticks, felt, or pipe cleaners. Create a story behind each craft—what the ornament represents or who it’s for.

Kindness Countdown (Ages 8–11)

Create a kindness advent calendar with daily acts of kindness leading up to Christmas. These could include helping a neighbor, donating toys, or writing letters to family members. Let kids choose or design the activities.

DIY Gift Exchange (Ages 12+)

Encourage older kids to make gifts for family members, such as baking cookies, knitting scarves, or creating photo albums. Discuss the joy of giving and the effort that goes into meaningful gifts.

New Year’s Eve (December 31)

New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect on the past year, celebrate achievements, and welcome new beginnings with hope and excitement. From festive gatherings and countdowns to quiet moments of intention-setting, it’s a chance to embrace possibilities for the year ahead. 

Balloon Drop at Noon (Ages 1–3)

Celebrate with an early “Noon Year’s Eve” party. Fill balloons with confetti, tape them to the ceiling, and let your toddlers pull them down at noon. Celebrate with simple snacks and a dance party.

Bubble Wrap Run (Ages 4–7)

Lay down sheets of bubble wrap for kids to run, jump, and pop their way into the new year. Add party hats and streamers for extra fun.

Time Capsule (Ages 8–11)

Have each child create a time capsule with their favorite memories, drawings, or small items from the year. Seal it in a container to open next New Year’s Eve.

Goal Setting Party (Ages 12+)

Host a family goal-setting party. Provide journals or vision boards for each person to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead. Celebrate with sparkling cider and countdown activities.

I hope this list inspires you to create new traditions that bring your family closer and celebrate the joy in every season. By focusing on shared experiences, you can make every holiday magical through your children’s eyes.

What are your favorite holiday traditions? Share them in the comments below—I’d love to hear how your family celebrates!