How to Keep the Kids Entertained this Christmas
The Christmas holidays can be a challenging time to keep the little ones occupied and entertained. With two weeks off from school, it can feel like the days drag on forever. Use this guide to get some inspiration for fun activities to fill the time and avoid complaints of “I’m bored!”.
Get Outdoors
Wrap up warm and head out into the fresh air. Local parks are ideal for letting off steam. Take a football or frisbee and play games together. Look for puddles to splash in. Build a snowman if the weather allows. Go on a winter nature walk and see what you can spot – look for animal footprints, frozen spiderwebs and frosted leaves. If you are fostering children with Fostering People, a crisp winter walk is a fun way for active children to burn off some energy.
Get Creative this Christmas
Unleash your inner artists with craft projects galore. Make Christmas cards for relatives – get the glitter and stickers out. Design calendars for their bedrooms. Bake gingerbread men and decorate them with icing and sweets. Make DIY Christmas crackers by rolling up jokes and filling cardboard tubes.
Have a Movie Marathon
Create a cosy den with blankets and decorate with fairy lights. Take it in turns to pick a favourite family film and watch back-to-back. Make popcorn and bake cookies for the ultimate movie snacks. Theme your movie marathon e.g. Christmas films only or 80s classics.
Learn a New Skill
The holidays are the perfect time to start a new hobby. Teach them to play a musical instrument like the recorder. Get a cookbook for kids and work through easy recipes together. Start a knitting or crochet project – hats and scarves make great handmade gifts. Write and perform a mini Christmas play or panto.
Get Gaming
Family board game tournaments are always a hit. Get out Monopoly, Articulate and charades. For younger kids, introduce fun learning games. Also, utilise gaming consoles and tablets. Download new apps and discover games you can play together. Set challenges and competitions to get everyone involved.
Have a Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Plan a festive themed scavenger hunt at home or around your local area. Make a list of Christmas objects, songs, foods etc they need to spot and tick off. Leave a small prize at the end like a selection box or small toy. Alternatively, do a virtual hunt online.
Get Baking this Christmas
Cookies, cakes, pies – get busy in the kitchen whipping up all kinds of delicious Christmas treats. Plan a show-stopping gingerbread house covered in sweets. Have a Great British Bake Off style competition and get the kids to invent their own bakes. Taste test different mince pies and Christmas puddings.
Volunteer in the Community
Teach the importance of helping others this Christmas. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food bank. Go carol singing at a local care home. Make Christmas cards to send to isolated elderly neighbours. Do a toy collection for less fortunate children.
With a bit of creativity, advanced preparation and some festive spirit, you can fill the Christmas break with fun activities the whole family will enjoy. The holidays will fly by before you know it!
