10 Screen-Free Holiday Activities for Families to Unplug and Reconnect

Introduction: Rediscover the Magic of the Holidays

It’s the holiday season, and we’ve parked in a beautiful winter wonderland. Snow is piling up outside our RV, and inside, the smell of cookies baking fills the air. It sounds magical, right? This holiday season, prioritize family bonding with these screen-free holiday activities. In today’s tech-driven world, it’s easy to get lost in screens, but the holidays are the perfect time to reconnect with loved ones. From outdoor adventures to baking traditions, these ideas will help your family unplug and create meaningful memories that don’t involve Wi-Fi.

Studies show that excessive screen time can disrupt family communication (source).

It hit me: this wasn’t the holiday magic I’d imagined. So, we decided to unplug, step outside, and rediscover what the holidays are truly about. The result? A holiday filled with laughter, connection, and memories that didn’t involve Wi-Fi.

Research shows too much screen time can interfere with kids’ social skills, disrupt sleep, and even add extra stress to parents. This year, let’s hit pause on the endless scrolling and dive into these 10 screen-free holiday activities for families.

1. Create a “No-Screens-Allowed” Zone

Designate specific times or areas where screens are off-limits, like the dinner table, holiday gift unwrapping, or your living room during board game night. This creates tech-free sanctuaries where family connection takes center stage.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Scrabble Junior Board Game
Why It’s Great: Perfect for both kids and parents—it’s fun and sneakily educational!
Customer Review: “We brought this out for family night, and it quickly became a holiday staple!”

2. Make DIY Holiday Decorations Together

Unleash your family’s creativity with holiday-themed crafts. Use simple materials like paper, glitter, and paint to create ornaments, garlands, and wreaths. This activity doubles as family bonding time and home decor!

💡 Affiliate Pick: Holiday Cookie Cutter Set
Why It’s Great: Includes shapes for every holiday theme, perfect for unleashing your family’s inner baker or artist.
Customer Review: “The kids loved these! We spent hours decorating cookies, and it felt so much more personal than store-bought treats.”

3. Go All-In on Outdoor Adventures

Bundle up and embrace the season! Sledding, building snowmen, or a family snowball fight are timeless activities. No snow? Go for a scenic family hike or enjoy a crisp holiday walk.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Kids’ Snow Play Kit
Why It’s Great: Everything your kids need to build snow castles, forts, and epic snowmen.
Customer Review: “My kids were out for hours with this set. They built a mini snow village!”

4. Turn Baking into a Family Tradition

Last year, our toddler proudly held up a gingerbread cookie that looked… unique. Despite flour everywhere and “crispy” results, the giggles in our kitchen made it the sweetest memory of the season.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Stackable Baking Set
Why It’s Great: Perfect for small kitchens or RV living—compact and functional!
Customer Review: “We loved how easy this set made baking fun for the whole family.”

5. Start a Holiday Storytime Tradition

Choose a holiday classic or family favorite book and take turns reading it aloud. We love The Polar Express—dimmed lights, twinkling fairy lights, and cozy blankets make it magical.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Holiday Storybook Collection
Why It’s Great: A curated collection of festive tales to spark imagination.
Customer Review: “These stories are perfect for cuddling up on cold nights. Even my teenager joined in!”

6. Create a Scrapbook of Holiday Memories

Transform your photos into a meaningful keepsake. Let everyone contribute their favorite moments, adding captions, stickers, and personal flair. It’s messy but so much fun!

💡 Affiliate Pick: Instax Mini Instant Camera
Why It’s Great: Instant gratification—snap and print memories on the spot.
Customer Review: “We used this during our holiday party, and the kids loved creating a photo wall with the prints.”

7. Host a Family Game Night

Nothing beats the laughs and friendly competition of game night. From classic board games to charades, these activities bring out the best (and funniest) in everyone.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Family Trivia Game
Why It’s Great: Perfect for all ages and guaranteed to spark laughter and learning.
Customer Review: “It was a huge hit at our family holiday party!”

8. Plan a Themed Holiday Dinner

Transform dinner into a fun event by choosing a theme, like “North Pole Feast” or “Christmas Pajama Brunch.” Everyone can contribute by preparing dishes or decorating the table.

💡 Affiliate Pick: Holiday Tableware Set
Why It’s Great: Makes any meal feel festive and special.
Customer Review: “This made our family dinner feel extra magical!”

9. Organize a Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Hide holiday-themed items around your home or yard and let the kids loose on a scavenger hunt. Bonus points if you include riddles or small prizes!

💡 Affiliate Pick: Holiday Scavenger Hunt Cards
Why It’s Great: Pre-made cards with creative clues make this activity stress-free.
Customer Review: “The kids loved solving the clues, and it kept them entertained for hours!”

10. Give Back as a Family

Teach the value of kindness by volunteering or donating as a family. Whether it’s delivering holiday meals or writing cards for a local nursing home, these moments create a lasting impact.

💡 Affiliate Pick: DIY Holiday Card Kit
Why It’s Great: Includes everything you need to create heartfelt cards.
Customer Review: “We used these for our donation drive, and they were a hit!”

A Holiday Challenge: Unplug and Reconnect

This holiday season, we challenge you to unplug, step outside, and create moments that last a lifetime. Whether it’s baking cookies, playing games, or exploring the outdoors, let’s make this a holiday to remember.

For more tips on fostering family communication, check out our article on the Five Minute Family Meeting.

What’s your favorite screen-free holiday tradition? Share your ideas in the comments below!