There’s something special about the holidays: the aroma of pine wafting through the air, the soft shine of sparkling lights, and the fun of making your house a holiday wonderland. But the best part is creating it all together as a family. Decorating with your children isn’t so much about the end result it’s about creating memories, inspiring creativity, and allowing their personality to shine through each ornament and garland.
When families gather to buy Christmas trees and bring them home, it becomes the perfect opportunity to kick off a season full of connection and fun. Involving children in the process can make decorating feel less like a chore and more like a cherished family tradition. Whether your space is large or cozy, or your style leans toward classic or modern, there are countless ways to make your little ones part of the magic.
1. Let Kids Choose Their Decorating Zone
Instead of doing all the decorating yourself, let your children have their own decorating area. It could be their bedroom, a small play area, or even a section of the large tree. Giving them this type of independence gives them a sense of more ownership in it and also of more responsibility for what it looks like.
You may be amazed at how much fun they enjoy selecting color schemes, placing ornaments, or even where to hang the stockings. Keep in mind: perfection is not the intention here participation is. Those wonky ornaments and cut-out paper snowflakes will be worth so much more than any perfectly decorated room ever could be.
2. Turn Decorating into a Family Tradition
Family holiday traditions are what children always remember, and decorating together can become one too. Begin with something low-key: put on your family’s favorite Christmas music, bake a batch of sugar cookies, and have everyone take turns attaching decorations to the tree.
You can also begin a “first ornament” tradition every year, allow your children to choose or create one new ornament that symbolizes something special that happened last year. Perhaps it is a small homemade craft, a keepsake from a vacation, or even a family picture. As years go by, your tree is not just for decoration it’s a history of memories.
3. Incorporate DIY Crafts for a Personal Touch
No other method of keeping children entertained is quite as effective as giving them something to make. Basic craft items such as paper strings, hand-painted decorations, or salt dough stars are ideal for providing that special, handmade touch to your decorations.
If you’re worried about mess, set up a “craft zone” with a washable table cover and easy-to-clean supplies like water-based paints and non-toxic glue. Not only does this encourage creativity, but it also gives kids the pride of seeing their handmade items displayed around the home. Plus, crafting together can spark fun conversations and laughter that you’ll treasure long after the decorations come down.
4. Choose Kid-Friendly Decorations
When kids are involved, it’s important to make sure your decor is both beautiful and safe. Think soft materials, shatterproof ornaments, and battery-operated candles instead of real flames. This allows children to participate without the risk of accidents or broken decorations.
If your children are young, have a “kid zone” tree a smaller one that’s all their own to decorate as they please. You can still have your big family tree for the more fragile ornaments, but allowing them to work on their own keeps the fun level high and the anxiety level low.
5. Teach the Meaning Behind the Decor
Each ornament, wreath, or garland has a story to tell. Take the time to tell the story behind some of your decorations whether it’s a family heirloom, a symbol of a culture, or something as mundane as the tradition of hanging stockings.
When children see the importance of what they’re doing, they become more involved in the experience. It also teaches them to appreciate family heritage and traditions. They might even come up with their own themes for future decorating based on what they have learned.
6. Involve Them in the Setup and Cleanup
Engaging children doesn’t end with hanging ornaments. Encourage them to assist with the setup such as fluffing branches, untangling lights, or setting the tree skirt and with taking down after the holiday season. These small things aid in instilling teamwork and responsibility while still making the process fun.
Pro tip: make cleanup a breeze by making it a “treasure hunt.” Encourage children to hunt down all the red ornaments or see how many snowflakes they can count before storing them. That way, after-holiday chores are more like an activity than an obligation.
7. Add Interactive Elements
Children adore anything they can touch and manipulate, so think about including interactive decorative features. Think advent calendars, felt trees with interchangeable ornaments, or a “decorate-your-own” cookie corner. These lighthearted touches engage them all winter long and provide a reason to enjoy each day.
You can even create a “kindness calendar” in which there is a small act of giving for each day such as creating a card for the neighbor or giving away a toy. It’s such a good idea to maintain the holiday spirit past the glitter and lights.
8. Capture the Moments
Don’t miss the chance to capture the enjoyment! Take some candid shots of your family as you decorate the tousled hair, the giggles, the moments of focus when your children hang that one particular ornament. You can later print these pictures out and make them into a holiday scrapbook or frame them on your mantel next holiday season.
These photos remind everyone of the happiness behind the season and can become another family tradition they treasure.
9. Keep It Light and Fun
Most of all, keep in mind that the most beautiful decorations are made in the spirit of happiness, not perfection. Children grow and develop best in a setting where they can discover, experiment, make errors, and laugh throughout the process. The holidays are a time to unplug, connect, and enjoy them together, not a time to worry about just-right color-schemed coordination.
Let the creativity of your kids be in charge, even if the star is slightly askew or the tinsel doesn’t match. That’s what makes your house cozy and lived-in for the holidays.
The magic is in the togetherness
Getting children involved in holiday decorating isn’t just about stocking your home with holiday cheer it’s about creating lasting memories that they’ll take into adulthood. Whether they’re deciding where to purchase decorations, making handmade ornaments, or proudly placing the lights, every step becomes a moment of bonding.
So this year, rather than spending time on the “perfect” holiday look, prioritise the experience. Have your home reflect not only the glitter of the season but the love and laughter that make it truly shine. Check out my article on the perfect gifts for the family this Christmas for inspiration on gift ideas.
