The magic of Christmas is well and truly in the air, lists have been made, children have sent their letters to Santa and the house is filled with the practising of lines and songs for the annual school Nativity production. With money always a little tighter over the festive period thanks to the extra expenses of presents and Christmas food, you will probably be wondering how to keep the whole family entertained and fulfil everyone’s Christmas bucket list without breaking the bank. To make things easier, we have put together a list of Christmas activities for families, some which will cost you nothing and others that are as purse friendly as possible, to help you enjoy this special time with your family.
1) CHRISTMAS BAKING
Whether you are a Mary Berry in the kitchen or the sort of person who burns toast, baking is one of those activities that seems to be covered by the unwritten rules of Christmas. Everyone will try their hand at baking. There are some really easy recipes out there for cakes, cookies and more that are perfect to make as a family. Choose a recipe that can be decorated and then get out the sprinkles and icing for a fun, and slightly messy, afternoon of family fun.
2) GO FOR A WINTERY WALK
Christmas activities for families that take place outside are always a good way to get over the cabin fever that can set in due to being inside too much. Whilst we might not always get snow at Christmas the weather can certainly be nice and crisp, and there is nothing better than going out for a lovely walk in the fresh air to really blow away the cobwebs. Of course, it’s even better when you follow this with a nice mug of hot chocolate. Why not make a record of your winter walk with a Magic Pad Glow – it’ll allow you to draw what you’ve seen on your winter walks without the mess of paint and paper.
3) OUTDOOR SCAVENGER HUNT
Let’s face it outdoor activities are a nice cheap addition to any list of Christmas activities for families but it’s hard to make every walk interesting. Scavenger hunts are a great activity you could introduce that everyone will enjoy. Make sure that your list of items includes spotting a selection of birds, wildlife and, of course, nature items. You could link this activity to another one by collecting things like pinecones, acorns, leaves and nice twigs as part of your scavenger hunt.
4) NATURE CRAFTS
Use some of the inspiration found on your scavenger hunt for craft projects. This might be a big craft picture that involves using a handy handheld sewing machine to make felt snow scenes or even decorations for your Christmas tree.
5) FAMILY MOVIE TIME
There are always some fantastic new films on over the festive period, and, of course, some old favourites. If the weather turns rainy and all you really want to do is stay at home, then why not have a family movie session. Pick a movie, make hot chocolate and popcorn, and curl up on the sofa with blankets for the perfect way to beat those rainy-day post-Christmas blues.
6) VISIT A LOCAL ATTRACTION
With many people choosing to take holiday days over the festive period so they can spend time with their children it can be easy to find yourself with time on your hands. Why not plan a visit to a local attraction that you never seem to have time for during the weekends? Lots of attractions offer Christmas activities for families, making them even better for a festive family day out.
7) BOARD GAMES
Do you have a cupboard full of board games that you never seem to find the time to play? If you do, then why not dust them off and have a games afternoon with your family. If you don’t have a selection of games already then why not ask Santa for a couple for under the tree, or visit your local charity shop to see what treasures you can find.
8) JIGSAWS
Larger jigsaws can seem like a huge undertaking but can actually make a great family activity when you work on them together. Good quality jigsaws can often be picked up in charity shops for just a couple of pounds, and you might even find some Christmas themed ones. When you have finished your jigsaw make sure all the pieces go back in the box and if you don’t want to do it again you could recycle it back to the charity shop.
9) HAVE A SLEEPOVER
The weather might be a bit cold for camping at the moment but why not drag those sleeping bags out of storage and have a sleepover in the living room. Christmas tree light make great twinkling stars.
10) LISTEN TO A CHOIR
There is something rather magical about listening to Christmas carols that will really get you in the mood for the festive season. Check to see if your local concert hall is having a carol concert. For something, a little closer to home, especially if you fancy joining in the singing look for a local church that is having a carol service. Even if you are not a regular you will be made welcome. This is one of those great Christmas activities for families that can become an annual tradition.
11) GO IN SEARCH OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Big displays of Christmas lights in residential areas are becoming more and more popular. Wrap up warm and venture out once it starts to get dark. That way, you can have a look to see what you can find in your local area. As on local internet groups for recommendations of any you shouldn’t miss. Some of these displays are put up to help benefit local charities so be sure to take some coins with you just in case.
12) SNOW DAYS
If you are fortunate to get snow over the festive season, then make the most of it. There are plenty of free things that you can do. Why not gather together some old hats and scarves and have a snowman making competition in the garden. Of course, you might prefer a snowball fight. Either is a great way to burn off some of that extra Christmas energy and get some fresh air.
If you have a local park with a great hill, then why not grab a sledge and head over to enjoy some sledging fun – be prepared for it to be a bit crowded though as plenty of others may have the same idea.
Hopefully, these Christmas activities for families will help you make the most of the Christmas break, and who knows, maybe some will become your new Christmas traditions!
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PHOTO CREDITS
- Christmas Baking Photo by Laura James from Pexels
- Christmas Market Photo by Humphrey Muleba from Pexels
- Child playing in snow Photo by Yan Krukov from Pexels