Healthy Holiday Family Bucket List

Enjoy the season with simple, family-friendly activities that bring everyone together this winter. From admiring holiday lights on a bundled-up walk to creating a DIY hot cocoa bar with healthier toppings, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the holidays. Spend time writing gratitude notes, having a holiday dance party, or preparing edible gifts to share with loved ones.

Whether cooking a festive recipe, volunteering or enjoying a cozy movie night with healthier snacks, these ideas offer a fun and meaningful way to celebrate the season as a family.

1. Family Winter Walk – Bundle up and walk to admire holiday lights and decorations in your neighborhood. It's a fun way to get some movement while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
2. DIY Hot Cocoa Bar with Healthy Toppings – Set up a hot cocoa bar using low-sugar hot chocolate options and healthier toppings like cinnamon, dark chocolate shavings, or almond milk whipped cream.
3. Write Gratitude Notes – Spend time as a family writing what each person is grateful for this holiday season. You can decorate these notes and hang them around the house for warmth and gratitude.
4. Holiday Dance Party – Put on a playlist of holiday classics and have a dance-off! It’s a fun way to boost everyone’s mood and get moving.
5. Make Edible Holiday Gifts – Prepare homemade snacks or treats, like spiced nuts, energy bites, or dried fruit mixes, to give to friends and family.
6. Cook a Holiday Dish Together – Choose a healthy holiday recipe to cook or bake as a family. Focus on a festive veggie dish or low-sugar dessert to add a nutritious spin to holiday meals.
7. Create a Family Wellness Jar – Write down wellness activities on slips of paper (like "stretch for 5 minutes" or "do 10 jumping jacks") and pick one out each day as a mini wellness boost.
8. Volunteer as a Family – Find a local opportunity to volunteer, whether at a food bank or a community center. Giving back can be incredibly fulfilling for the whole family.
9. Healthy Movie Snack Night – Watch a holiday movie while enjoying nutritious snacks, such as air-popped popcorn, veggie sticks with hummus, or fruit kabobs with yogurt dip.
10. Holiday Meditation Session – Try a short family meditation with holiday themes, focusing on gratitude, joy, or calm amidst the season’s bustle.

Happy holidays from the Kids Med Guide team!