17 Fun Christmas Dog Activities You’ll Both Love

Christmas is the perfect time to slow down and just enjoy the simple things in life. For a lot of us, that means spending more quality time with our dogs.

We know the holidays get crazy with shopping and decorating, but including your dog in the festivities makes the season feel even more special.

We’ve put together a list of fun Christmas dog activities you can do together, plus some simple DIY ideas for festive accessories and homemade treats.

This guide is all about a little shared fun and creating those new traditions you’ll both look forward to every single year.

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Fun Christmas Activities for Dogs at Home

The holidays are all about making memories with the family, and that definitely includes the furry members.

Instead of just putting another toy under the tree, why not include them in the actual festivities?

We’ve gathered some fun dog activities to do this Christmas that are safe, simple, and a great way for both of you to burn off some energy during the season.

Christmas Activities for Dogs Indoors

1. DIY Cardboard Advent Calendar

Instead of buying a pre-made calendar, you can easily create a daily game with items you already have at home.

Start saving up empty toilet paper rolls in November. Then, each day in December, just fold one end of a roll closed, drop in a smelly treat, and fold the other end shut.

Let your dog shred the cardboard to ‘open’ their daily prize. It’s a simple, fun brain game that burns off energy much faster than just handing them a snack.

2. Dog Christmas Photoshoot

This holiday season, consider setting up a simple backdrop near your tree or fireplace for a holiday portrait.

The good news is that you don’t need an expensive camera for this. Just getting some good natural lighting from a window and your phone camera is what you need.

If you’re not sure about the costume, try a simple festive bandana, or even just having them sit nicely next to a wrapped gift, still makes for a beautiful, stress-free photo.

3. Winter Paw ‘Spa’ Day

Cold pavement, ice, and salted sidewalks can cause a hit on a dog’s paws during the holiday season.

After a chilly walk, it’s a great idea to set aside a few minutes for some self-care.

Gently wash their paws with warm water to get rid of any salt, then massage in a dog-safe balm or just a little coconut oil to keep their pads from cracking.

4. Indoor Holiday Obstacle Course

When it’s just too cold to play fetch outside, you can easily set up a simple agility course right in your living room.

Use couch cushions as little hurdles for them to jump over and cardboard boxes as tunnels to crawl through.

Guiding them through with treats is a fun way to keep their body active and their brain engaged without having to go out in the snow.

Christmas Dog Activities for Outdoor

5. Visit Santa Paws

A lot of pet supply stores host events where you can take your dog to meet Santa.

This can be a fun social outing, especially if your dog is confident and genuinely enjoys meeting new people and other dogs.

However, if your dog tends to get nervous in crowds or is fearful of strangers, you may want to take them early in the mornings when the places are not crowded.

6. Visit a Dog-Friendly Christmas Market

A lot of outdoor holiday markets are actually welcoming to leashed dogs. It can be a fun outing, with tons of new sights and smells for them to take in.

Just a quick heads-up, though: if your dog gets overwhelmed by crowds, try to visit during quieter hours.

You’ll also want to keep an eye on the ground for any dropped food they might try to snatch up.

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Fun Christmas Dog Accessories

Dog Paw Print Christmas Crafts

1. Baking Soda Homemade Paw Print Ornaments

What You Need

• ½ cup cornstarch
• 1 cup baking soda
• ¾ cup water
• Saucepan
• Spoon for stirring
• Parchment paper or foil
• Baking tray
• Toothpick or straw
• Festive ribbon or string
• Non-toxic paint (optional)
• Clear sealant (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine the cornstarch and baking soda in your saucepan, and then slowly stir in the water until it’s completely smooth.
2. Heat the mixture on a medium burner. You’ll want to stir it constantly so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
3. Take the pot off the heat as soon as the mixture forms a doughy ball. Let it cool down until it’s safe for you to handle.
4. Knead the cooled dough gently until it feels soft and smooth. Then, separate it into small balls and flatten each one into a disc.
5. Gently press your dog’s clean paw into each disc to make a clear print. Use a toothpick to poke a hole near the top for hanging later.
6. Right away, wipe your dog’s paw with a damp cloth to get rid of any dough residue. Bake the ornaments at 250°F for about 30 minutes on a lined baking tray, just until they feel firm.
7. Let them cool completely. Once they’re cool, you can add any non-toxic paint or sealant if you like.
8. Finally, thread a festive ribbon through the hole and hang your new keepsake on the tree.

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2. Salt Dough Paw Print Ornament DIY Dough Recipe

What You Need

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup cold water
• Large mixing bowl
• Rolling pin
• Cookie-cutter or knife
• Ribbon for hanging

Instructions

1. Get the oven preheated to 250°F. Meanwhile, grab a large bowl and mix the flour and salt together.
2. Slowly add the water while you stir. Keep going until you have a stiff dough that doesn’t stick to your hands and is easy to handle.
3. Roll the dough out until it’s about a quarter-inch thick. Cut it into whatever shape you like, just make sure it’s big enough to fit your dog’s paw.
4. Gently press your dog’s clean paw right into the dough to get a clear print. Be sure to wipe their paw off with a damp cloth immediately after.
5. Take a straw and poke a hole at the top for the ribbon later. Bake it for 2 – 3 hours; you want it completely hard and dry.
6. Let it cool all the way down before you try painting or sealing it. Once it’s finished, just tie a ribbon through the hole and it’s ready to hang on the tree.

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3. Painted Paw Print Dog Christmas Tree Art

What You Need

• Non-toxic, washable green paint
• Large sheet of sturdy white paper
• Paintbrush
• Non-toxic colored markers or paints
• Damp cloth and towel for cleanup
• Treats

Instructions

1. Start by setting up your paper in a clear area. Make sure you have a damp cloth nearby for a quick cleanup.
2. Gently brush a thin layer of non-toxic green paint onto your dog’s paw pad.
3. Guide their paw to press firmly onto the bottom of the paper. Do this three times in a row to create the base of the tree.
4. Wipe their paw clean. If you need to, reapply some paint, then make two more prints just above the first row, and finish with one single print at the very top.
5. Thoroughly clean your dog’s paw with the damp cloth. Don’t forget to give them a treat for helping out.
6. Let the green paint dry completely. Then, use markers or other paints to add a star on top, some colorful ornaments on the ‘branches,’ and write the year at the bottom before you frame it.

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4. Chalkboard-Style Salt Dough Paw Print Ornaments

What You Need

• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup water
• Mixing bowl
• Cup or round cutter
• Straw or pen cap
• Parchment paper or foil
• Baking sheet
• Non-toxic black chalkboard paint
• Chalk or chalk marker
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the salt, flour, and water until a firm dough comes together. Then, knead it for about 30 seconds until it’s smooth.
2. Flatten out pieces of the dough and use a cup to cut circles. Just make sure they are big enough to fit your dog’s paw.
3. Gently press your dog’s clean paw into each circle to make a good print. Right after, wipe their paw clean with a damp cloth.
4. Use a straw or a pen cap to poke a hole in the top of each ornament so you can hang it up later.
5. Bake them at 200°F for 2 – 3 hours. You want the dough to be completely hard and dry.
6. Let them cool down, then paint the entire ornament with non-toxic chalkboard paint and let that dry completely.
7. Use some chalk to write your dog’s name and the year, tie on a festive ribbon, and hang it on your tree.

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5. Paw Print Dog Christmas Decorations DIY

What You Need

• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup table salt
• 1 ½ cups water
• Mixing bowl
• Rolling pin or straight-sided jar
• Parchment paper
• Large cookie cutters
• Drinking straw
• Baking tray
• Ribbon or twine for hanging
• Small decorative beads (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl, then slowly add water until a firm dough forms (you might need a little more or less water than the recipe says).
2. Knead the dough with your hands until it’s smooth and holds together without any crumbling.
3. Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out until it’s about a quarter-inch thick.
4. Use cookie cutters to make shapes, just be sure they are big enough for your dog’s paw to fit comfortably.
5. Gently press your dog’s clean paw into the center of each shape, applying light pressure to each toe pad to get a clear print.
6. Right after you’re done, wipe their paw clean with a damp cloth.
7. Take a straw and punch a small hole at the top of each ornament so you can add a ribbon later.
8. Bake them at about 300°F for roughly one hour, flipping them halfway through, until they are dry and hard.
9. Once they’re cool, thread a piece of twine through the hole, maybe adding a small bead for dog-friendly holiday decorations, and tie it off to hang.

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Christmas Treats For Dogs

6. Peanut Butter and Molasses Holiday Treats

What You Need

• 2 cups ground oats 
• 1/2 cup dog-safe peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg 
• 3 tablespoons low-fat cream cheese 
• 4 tablespoons plain yogurt 
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk and spoon
• Parchment paper
• Rolling pin
• Cookie-cutter 
• Baking sheet
• Wire cooling rack

Instructions

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, molasses, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Then, stir in the peanut butter until everything is smooth.
3. Add the ground oats and mix them all well until you have a firm, uniform dough.
4. Go ahead and roll the dough out between two sheets of parchment paper until it’s about a quarter-inch thick.
5. Cut out your shapes with a cookie cutter and place them on the baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between them.
6. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, just until they are firm. Let them cool right on the pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. For the icing, just mix the cream cheese, yogurt, and a pinch of cinnamon in a small bowl until it’s smooth.
8. Drizzle the icing over the treats once they are fully cooled. You’ll want to let them sit for about 2 hours so the icing can harden before storing them in an airtight container.

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7. Sweet Potato Christmas Dog Treats

What You Need

• 2 cups fresh sweet potato puree
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pot for boiling
• Blender or food processor
• Two mixing bowls
• Rolling pin
• Christmas cookie cutters
• Baking sheet
• Cooling rack

Instructions

1. First, get your oven preheated to 350°F.
2. Peel and cube the sweet potatoes, then boil them until they’re soft (usually about 15 – 20 minutes). Drain them well and blend them into a smooth puree.
3. In a small bowl, go ahead and stir the flour, oats, and cinnamon together.
4. Grab a larger bowl and whisk the egg, sweet potato puree, and peanut butter until everything is well combined.
5. Add the dry ingredients to that wet mixture and stir until a dough starts to form.
6. Dust your work surface and rolling pin with some flour, then roll the dough out until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. The dough might be sticky, so don’t be afraid to use extra flour if you need it.
7. Cut out some festive shapes and bake them for 30 to 35 minutes, until they are golden brown.
8. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack; they will harden up into a crunchy treat as they cool.

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Healthy Dog Lick Mat Recipes

8. Christmas Tree Dog Enrichment Lick Mat

What You Need

• Frozen peas (steamed and cooled)
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Fresh strawberries
• A Lickimat or similar textured mat
• Mashing tool (like a fork or muddler)
• Knife or spoon for shaping
• Piping bag or small plastic bag with corner snipped (optional)
• Dog treat for the tree trunk (optional)

Instructions

1. Start by mashing the steamed peas in a bowl until they turn into a thick green paste.
2. Grab your lick mat and use a knife or spoon to spread that green paste into a large triangle shape to make your Christmas tree.
3. If you want to add a trunk, just place a small rectangular dog treat right at the bottom of the triangle.
4. Fill a small piping bag with plain Greek yogurt and draw zig-zag lines across the tree to look like strands of tinsel.
5. Cut a few small squares of strawberry and gently press them onto the tree to act as the ‘ornaments.’
6. Freeze the whole mat for 2 – 3 hours until it’s solid, then let your dog enjoy their festive, long-lasting snack.

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9. Santa Face DIY Lick Mat For Dogs

What You Need

• 1 ripe banana
• Fresh strawberries
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Small dark treats or kibble
• Large Lickimat or textured mat
• Mashing tool
• Piping bag or small plastic bag with corner snipped

Instructions

1. Start by mashing the banana until it’s smooth in one bowl, then chop your strawberries into small pieces in a separate bowl.
2. Grab your lick mat and spread the mashed banana into a round or square shape; this will be Santa’s face.
3. Arrange the chopped strawberries right above the face in a curved triangle shape to form his red hat.
4. Take your piping bag filled with plain Greek yogurt and draw a fluffy white beard below the face, add the trim along the bottom of the hat, and don’t forget the pom-pom at the tip.
5. Place two small treats for his eyes and use a single piece of kibble for his nose.
6. Freeze the whole mat for 2–3 hours until it’s totally set before giving it to your dog.

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10. Festive Wreath Recipes For Dog Lick Mats

What You Need

• Frozen peas (steamed and cooled)
• Fresh strawberries
• Dog-safe peanut butter (xylitol-free)
• Small pieces of kibble or dog treats
• Lickimat or textured mat
• Mashing tool
• Knife

Instructions

1. Mash the steamed peas in a small bowl until you have a thick green paste.
2. Spread that green paste onto your lick mat in a thick circle, making sure to leave an empty space right in the center so it looks like a wreath.
3. To make the bow, cut a strawberry into three pieces: one small center piece and two larger side pieces. Arrange them at the bottom of your green wreath.
4. If the strawberry “bow” needs help staying put, just use a tiny dab of peanut butter to stick the pieces down.
5. Decorate the rest of the wreath by pressing small pieces of kibble or treats into the green paste to look like ornaments.
6. Freeze the mat for 2 – 3 hours until it’s solid and ready for your dog.

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11. Dog Christmas Dinner

What You Need

• 1 lb. ground turkey 
• 1 large egg
• 3 Brussels sprouts
• 1 carrot, peeled and grated
• ¼ cup fresh or dried cranberries
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Loaf tin
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• Grater or mandoline

Instructions

1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your loaf tin with some parchment paper.
2. Finely shred the Brussels sprouts with a grater or mandoline, and then grate the carrot.
3. In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, egg, shredded sprouts, grated carrot, cranberries, and parsley. You want everything well combined.
4. Press the mixture firmly right into the lined loaf tin.
5. Bake it for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the turkey is fully cooked through and there’s no pink left in the center.
6. Blot any extra liquid off the top with a paper towel, then let the loaf cool completely before you slice it into serving-sized pieces for your dog.

READ ALSO: 30 Delicious DIY Dog Treats for Christmas

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Conclusion

We believe the best Christmas gifts for dogs you can give your furry friend are just your time and attention.

Trying out a few of these Christmas dog activities, making homemade treats, or crafting a simple keepsake with your dog can make a difference in how much they enjoy the festive period.

Take tons of photos, have fun with it, and don’t worry about everything being perfect because it will fall into place.