81% of Parents Say Holiday Traditions Matter, but Many Skip the Hard Ones: Keep It Simple

Most parents of little ones want the holidays to mean something. A new survey released Thursday, Nov. 12, suggests many of them also feel worn out before the season even starts. In the poll of 986 U.S. parents with at least one child between ages 2 and 6 at home, 81% said sharing holiday traditions with their children is very or extremely important. Yet 45% said they are likely to skip traditions that seem too difficult, complicated or time-consuming.

The 2026 Holiday Traditions Parent Survey was conducted in October and released by toy maker Melissa & Doug, a brand owned by Spin Master, so readers should keep in mind that it comes from a company that sells children’s activities. Still, its numbers line up with something many families already know from experience: the picture-perfect holiday and the real one with a tired 3-year-old are often very different things.

What parents told the survey

61% plan to start a new tradition or activity this season.
53% say their children often lose interest soon after an activity starts.
60% say some holiday activities are too hard for young kids to do successfully.
47% expect to spend more time on holiday activities than they planned.
64% say some activities they enjoy create clutter and waste.

The survey reports a margin of error of 2.8%. Taken together, the findings point to a gap between what parents hope for and what fits a young child’s attention span, energy and schedule.

Why simple often works better

Child health experts have long encouraged families to scale holiday plans to their kids rather than the other way around. The American Academy of Pediatrics, on its HealthyChildren.org site, advises families to keep the calendar manageable, choose the events they can handle and politely decline the rest. It recommends protecting regular routines such as meals and bedtime, and naps for the littlest children, since missed naps can lead to meltdowns. The AAP also encourages families to focus on a few cherished traditions, choose meaningful activities over costly ones, set a holiday budget and leave room for slow, unstructured time.

The Child Mind Institute, in a family guide updated in October, offers similar advice: tell children about schedule changes ahead of time, keep bedtimes as steady as possible, plan a restful day between busy ones, and feel free to adapt traditions that no longer fit your family. It also suggests creating new traditions that match where your family is now, and asking relatives for experiences, such as a museum membership, instead of more gifts.

Easy traditions for families with toddlers and preschoolers

Based on that guidance, here are low-stress ideas that fit short attention spans:

Keep it short. Since many kids lose interest quickly, plan brief activities and call it a success if your child enjoys part of it.
Pick one or two “anchor” traditions. A favorite holiday story at bedtime, a walk to look at lights, or a gratitude prayer before Thanksgiving dinner can mean more than a packed schedule.
Let kids help in real ways. Stirring a simple recipe, setting napkins on the table or choosing a song gives young children a role without frustration.
Cut the clutter. Choose activities that reuse what you have, like drawing thank-you pictures for grandparents, instead of buying new supplies.
Protect sleep. Schedule big gatherings around naps and bedtime when you can.
Give yourself permission to skip. If a tradition causes more tears than joy this year, set it aside. It can come back when your children are older.

If your family is still sorting out where to spend the holidays, our guide Two Families, One Holiday can help. And because meaningful traditions don’t have to be expensive, see Plan Your Holiday Spending Now: A Simple Family Budget for the Season.

Why it matters for families

Traditions don’t have to be elaborate to matter, and the expert guidance above points families toward fewer, simpler ones that fit their children’s ages and energy. With Thanksgiving on Nov. 26 and the December holidays close behind, now is a good time to sit down as a family, decide which traditions to keep, and let go of the rest without guilt. The AAP also suggests talking with your pediatrician if you notice ongoing sleep problems, big changes in eating, or low moods lasting more than two weeks.

What is one simple holiday tradition your family keeps every year? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Sources: Melissa & Doug (press release), “New Melissa & Doug Survey Finds 81% of Parents Say Holiday Traditions Matter, but Nearly Half Skip Activities That Feel Too Complicated” (November 12, 2026); American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, “Comfort and Joy: Family Tips for Enjoying the Winter Holidays” (updated December 16, 2025); Child Mind Institute, “24 Ways to Make the Holidays Kid-Friendly” (updated October 7, 2026).