Holiday Books & Movies for the Whole Family
From Thanksgiving laughs to Christmas traditions, November and December are filled with opportunities to slow down and enjoy a good story together. Whether you’re curling up with a book on a chilly afternoon or gathering everyone for a family movie night, there’s something special about sharing stories during the holiday season.
We’ve rounded up a mix of Thanksgiving, fall, and Christmas books and movies for kids, tweens, teens, and even a little something for Mom. Some are longtime favorites, while others might become new family traditions.
Books for Kids, Tweens, and Teens
How to Catch a Turkey — Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton
Best for: Preschool–early elementary | Thanksgiving
A silly Thanksgiving adventure about a turkey running loose through a school as everyone tries to catch him before the Thanksgiving show. With playful rhymes and colorful illustrations, it’s a fun read-aloud that brings plenty of laughs to the holiday season.
The Wild Robot — Peter Brown
Best for: Elementary–tweens | Adventure/family
A robot named Roz becomes stranded on a wild island and slowly learns how to survive, communicate with animals, and create an unexpected family. The adventure mixes humor and heart with thoughtful themes of friendship, belonging, and what it means to care for others.
📖 Read It, Then Watch It! After finishing the book, watch the animated movie adaptation of The Wild Robot. Talk about how Roz’s journey comes to life on screen and which moments your family enjoyed most in each version.
Balloons Over Broadway — Melissa Sweet
Best for: Elementary | Thanksgiving/history
Ever wonder how the giant balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade got their start? This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the true story of Tony Sarg, the creative puppeteer whose imagination helped bring the famous balloons to life. It’s a fun way to introduce kids to a little Thanksgiving history before watching the parade.
Red & Lulu — Matt Tavares
Best for: Preschool–elementary | Christmas
When two cardinals are separated after their favorite tree is taken to New York City, one sets off on a journey to find the other. Set against the backdrop of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, this beautifully illustrated story celebrates love, perseverance, and the meaning of home.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever — Barbara Robinson
Best for: Elementary–tweens | Christmas
The Herdmans are known as the worst kids in town, so when they take over the annual Christmas pageant, everyone expects disaster. Instead, their unexpected take on the Christmas story leads to plenty of laughs and a few heartfelt surprises. This short chapter book is a great family read-aloud, especially before watching the movie adaptation.
📖 Read It, Then Watch It! Once you’ve finished the book, gather the family to watch the 2024 movie adaptation. Compare how the Herdman children are portrayed in each version and talk about what the story teaches us about judging others.
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares — Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Best for: Teens | Christmas/romance
When Lily leaves a notebook filled with challenges in a New York City bookstore, Dash discovers it and begins an unexpected holiday adventure. As they exchange dares and messages, the two teens explore the city and slowly get to know each other. It’s a fun, quirky holiday romance for older readers who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction.
A Little Something for Mom
The Christmas Bookshop — Jenny Colgan
Best for: Adults | Christmas/cozy romance
When Carmen finds herself out of work, she heads to Edinburgh to help revive a struggling bookshop just in time for Christmas. Between family complications, charming customers, and a little romance, she discovers that a fresh start might be exactly what she needs. With its festive setting and cozy atmosphere, this is the kind of book that’s perfect for a quiet evening with a warm drink.
Thanksgiving and Fall Movies for Families
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Best for: Preschool–elementary/families | Thanksgiving
Peppermint Patty invites herself and the gang to Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving, leaving him and Snoopy to put together an unconventional feast. This nostalgic special mixes classic Peanuts humor with a reminder that Thanksgiving is about more than what’s on the table.
The Wild Robot (2024)
Best for: Elementary–tweens/families | Adventure/family
After a shipwreck leaves robot Roz stranded on an uninhabited island, she must learn to adapt to a world filled with wildlife. When she becomes the unlikely caretaker of an orphaned gosling, her journey turns into a touching story about friendship, family, and belonging. With beautiful animation and plenty of heart, it’s a wonderful movie to watch together after reading the book.
Free Birds (2013)
Best for: Elementary–tweens/families | Thanksgiving
Two turkeys travel back in time to the very first Thanksgiving with one big mission: change history and get turkey off the holiday menu. Filled with goofy humor, unexpected adventures, and plenty of turkey-related chaos, this animated comedy offers a lighthearted Thanksgiving movie night option.
Christmas Movies for Kids, Tweens, and Teens
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024)
Best for: Elementary–tweens/families | Christmas
The unruly Herdman children take over a town’s traditional Christmas pageant and turn it into something no one expects. Funny and heartfelt, the story offers a fresh look at kindness, acceptance, and the meaning of Christmas through the eyes of some very unexpected kids.
Home Alone (1990)
Best for: Elementary–teens/families | Christmas
When eight-year-old Kevin McCallister is accidentally left behind as his family heads off for Christmas vacation, he initially enjoys having the house all to himself. But when two burglars target his home, Kevin comes up with a series of hilarious traps to protect it. Packed with slapstick comedy, memorable moments, and a little holiday heart, this classic continues to entertain generations of families.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999)
Best for: Preschool–elementary/families | Christmas
Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and their friends share three heartwarming Christmas stories about family, friendship, and the spirit of giving. With familiar Disney characters and gentle holiday lessons, it’s a great choice for younger children and a cozy Christmas movie night.
Klaus (2019)
Best for: Older elementary–teens/families | Christmas
A spoiled postal worker is sent to a remote, unhappy town where he forms an unlikely friendship with a mysterious toymaker named Klaus. Together, they begin spreading kindness and transforming the community, one gift at a time. With beautiful animation, clever humor, and a touching message, this modern Christmas favorite reminds viewers how one good deed can inspire another.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Best for: Elementary–teens/families | Christmas
Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and the rest of the Muppets bring their signature humor to Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale. Michael Caine stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy businessman who receives some unexpected visitors on Christmas Eve. It’s a fun introduction to a timeless story about generosity, second chances, and the true spirit of Christmas.
Make Time for Stories This Holiday Season
The holidays can get busy, but sometimes the simplest moments become the ones families remember most. A favorite book before bedtime, a movie night with homemade popcorn, or revisiting a childhood classic can turn an ordinary evening into a meaningful tradition.
Whether you’re introducing your kids to a story you loved growing up or discovering something new together, make a little room for books and movies this season. You never know which one might become a family favorite for years to come.
