Holiday Round-Up of Family Fun: Crafts, recipes and things to do

happy holidays from sdfm2014

San Diego's family-friendly holiday events, festive recipes, Christmas crafts, ways to celebrate Hanukkah, holiday tips, our famous Map of Christmas Lights and more. It's all in our Holiday Round-Up of Family Fun!

Places to Go

Family festivities, seasonal parades, Santa sightings and theater performances — San Diego offers a sleigh-full of holiday happenings! Read all about it in our list of December Holiday Events & Winter Camps.

Tour the best holiday lights in San Diego County with our famous Map of Christmas Lights!

Prefer to play in the snow, but don't know where to go? Read Finding Snow in San Diego.

Holiday Sweets and Treats

You can't have a proper celebration without festive treats!

Sweet Treats

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Frosted Cranbrries for Christmas Cake

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Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Cookies by food blogger, Norene Cox

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Gluten-Free Lemon Star Cookies by The Seaside Baker

Edible Mini Menorah

Peppermint Snow Pie

Almond & Olive Oil Cake

Mexican Hot Chocolate

10 Awesome Spots to Get Hot Chocolate in San Diego

5 Tips for a Perfect Pie Crust

Healthy Holiday-Themed Snacks

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Snowman Caprese Salad

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Christmas Kiwi Wreath

Red-Nosed Reindeer Snack

Veggie Christmas Tree Snack

CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY CRAFTS FOR KIDS

Encourage creativity by setting up a craft table for the kids! Have fun with these projects:

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Christmas Village Putz Houses by Art with Alyssa

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Twig Christmas Trees by Art with Alyssa

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Poinsettia Yarn Painting by Art with Alyssa

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Sock Snowmen by Super Moms 360

DIY Christmas Advent Calendar

Crayon Holder Craft for the Kids Table

Marshmallow Snowman Cards

Giant Candy Land Yard Decorations

Thankful Jars

Holiday Hangers (fun with pipe cleaners)

Free, printable letter to Santa (to color and fill out)

Fun Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah

Find festive crafts (like these Hanukkah Place Card Holders) and beautiful projects in our Hanukkah Round-Up!

Celebrate New Year's Eve

Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve with Kids

New Year's Eve DIY Noisemakers

New Year's Eve Browne Ball Drop Pops

Holiday Hacks and More Seasonal Articles

Holiday Hacks from San Diego Moms

How to Party Healthy this Season

Kid-Friendly Getaways

Ways to Ring in the New Year with Your Kids

Finding Joy in a Challenging Holiday Season

Multigeneraltional Holiday Gatherings: A recipe for success

San Diego Family's Kid-Tested Toy Reviews

Minimize Crazy to Maximize Joy this Christmas

Make the World a Better Place

Teacher Gifts that Could Land You on the Naughty List

Silent Nights: Help Kids Sleep Well During the Holiday

Check out our Christmas/Holiday pinterest board for more crafts, decorations and party ideas!

LEGO® Festival Returns to LEGOLAND® California Resort This Summer

LEGO® Festival Returns to LEGOLAND® California Resort This Summer

For the second year, the world’s largest LEGO® Festival is inviting families to power up their play at LEGOLAND® California Resort. Running daily from July 20 through August 30, 2026, LEGO® Fe . . .

Where to Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in San Diego

Where to Celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in San Diego

Celebrate the unique culture and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) throughout the month of May and all year long! Below is a list of family-friendly AAPI Heritage Month e . . .

Free Summer Concerts around San Diego County 2026

Free Summer Concerts around San Diego County 2026

San Diego’s Free Summer Concerts 2026 Start the summer on a high note! From Carlsbad to Chula Vista and El Cajon to Downtown San Diego, there are free summer concerts happening all over San Diego . . .

How to Have a Retro Summer: Iconic activities and old school games

How to Have a Retro Summer: Iconic activities and old school games

The kids are out of school—it’s time to simplify the schedule and encourage as much outdoor play as possible. Have an old-school, retro summer! What is a Retro Summer? What does it mean . . .

10 Simple Pleasures Kids Will Love this Summer

10 Simple Pleasures Kids Will Love this Summer

When I think back on my childhood summers, it’s the simple pleasures I remember most. Running barefoot in the grass. Romping with my dog in the backyard. Reading my favorite book in a shady spot u . . .

9 Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice

9 Ways to Celebrate Summer Solstice

In San Diego, June 20 marks the longest day of the year and heralds the start of the beloved summer season: summer solstice. The summer solstice presents another opportunity for families to celebrat . . .

Summer Fun Bingo for Families

Summer Fun Bingo for Families

Looking for awesome unplugged activities for the kids or family this summer? Use our free, printable Summer Bingo game as a guide. You’ll find quintessential summer fun like water balloon fights, su . . .

119 Dad-Approved Gifts

119 Dad-Approved Gifts

Every Dad is unique, so have the kids spend time thinking about what they can do, make or give him that will speak to his soul and make him feel special, whether it's Father’s Day, Christmas or an . . .

Father's Day in San Diego: Events, gifts, tips and more

Father's Day in San Diego: Events, gifts, tips and more

Wondering how to celebrate Father's Day in San Diego this year? Find events, recipes, crafty handmade presents, and Dad-approved gift ideas to show the dads in your life how much they ar . . .

25 Summer Boredom Busters

25 Summer Boredom Busters

Boredom is a precursor to creativity, so being bored is not all bad. But if you're ready for a change of pace, these boredom busters encourage families to get moving and start making memories! &nbs . . .

31 Days of Epic Summer Fun for Families in San Diego

31 Days of Epic Summer Fun for Families in San Diego

Who’s ready to get out and have some fun in San Diego this summer? Here are 31 awesome ideas for families—one for every day in July or spread the days through the end of August. Either way, you' . . .

San Diego Family's Ultimate Summer Sand-Bucket List

San Diego Family's Ultimate Summer Sand-Bucket List

San Diegans have it really rough—living in a top travel destination that many people dream of visiting. One thing is sure--there is no shortage of fun things to do, especially when the kids are ou . . .

Visit a Mini Disney-Themed Wonderland: It’s the Happiest Backyard on Earth!

Visit a Mini Disney-Themed Wonderland: It’s the Happiest Backyard on Earth!

When I heard there was a miniature Disney-themed garden railroad hidden in a quiet neighborhood in Anaheim Hills—and that it opens to the public—I went on a mission to learn more. Castle Peak an . . .

Spring Break Getaway Ideas for Families

Spring Break Getaway Ideas for Families

Looking for spring break vacation ideas with the family? We often hear the question, Where can I take my family that isn't too far from San Diego, but feels like a getaway? Have no fear. Below are a . . .

Fun Ways to Celebrate Spring in San Diego

Fun Ways to Celebrate Spring in San Diego

By the time the first day of spring rolls around, San Diegans are usually ready for a “change in weather.” Let’s face it, a low of 48 degrees is downright freezing in these parts. (Let the rest . . .

12 Easy Ways to Care for the Earth with Kids

12 Easy Ways to Care for the Earth with Kids

It’s easy to let busyness of daily life push thoughts of being eco-friendly to the back burner. But caring for our planet might be easier than you think. Start small by trying one activity a month . . .

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