Kids’ Christmas activities & craft ideas for a magical holiday

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Keep reading for fun & affordable Christmas activities & craft ideas for kids.

In the run-up to the festive period, you’ll no doubt be trying to think of kids’ Christmas activities to keep yours entertained (and out of mischief) over the holidays. With all that energy and excitement before the best day of the year, it can feel a bit daunting – particularly if you’re trying to watch the pennies.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things to do with kids at Christmas that are accessible for all ages and budgets. In fact, many are completely free – and that’s the kind of gift we all need at this time of the year!

So, to help kids and parents get the most out of the upcoming break, we’ve shared some of our top tips and activities to try, ranging from Christmas craft ideas for kids, suggestions for those staying local and plenty of indoor-based fun.

Enjoy the local sights & delights

When it comes to entertaining the kids over the Christmas holidays, it’s easy to forget just how much there is to do in your local area. Even the smallest towns and villages will likely host festive markets, exhibitions, light switch-ons, parades and plays, many of which are free to attend.

Get out & about to see what’s on near you

Check the websites and social media pages of your local council, as well as tourist information websites, local newspapers and ‘what’s on’ guides to find out the latest events in your area. You can also pop to your local community hall, leisure centre or library to check their notice boards for upcoming events. You’ll likely find they host kids’ clubs over the holidays too – great news to give you some much-needed peace and quiet!

Watch a festive film at a drive-in cinema

Over the last few years, drive-in cinemas have soared in popularity at Christmas, often selling out quite quickly. Playing everyone’s favourite Christmas movies including feel-good family comedies, animated classics and those aimed at smaller kids, these local drive-ins are a unique and memorable way to enjoy your favourite films at Christmas. Now that’s festive!

Drive to your nearest outdoor cinema for a magical movie night.

Create your own outdoor fun

As well as playing outside in the snow (weather dependant!) and visiting the local ice rink, there are loads of unique outdoor activities for kids to enjoy over Christmas. Whether you live in a city, town or rural setting, creating fun and engaging outdoor activities is easy. Here are a couple of our favourite things to do with kids over the Christmas break:

Go on a magical Christmas lights tour

Whether by foot or by car, taking time to tour the local community to see all the Christmas lights is a great tradition that kids will love. Make it extra fun by adding a game of festive I-Spy, or by bringing a flask of warming hot chocolate and some mince pies to enjoy along the way. The best thing about this activity? It’s free!

Encourage friendly competition with a scavenger hunt

This one requires a small amount of prep from parents but is a simple and easy way to get the kids involved. Using candy canes, Christmas decorations, chocolate coins, Santa hats or other festive treats, create a treasure hunt for your little ones by hiding inexpensive goodies in your garden or local park. Love to get creative? Try leading your kids to the prizes with a series of festive riddles.

Top tip: Heading out in muddy or wet conditions? Don’t forget wellies and winter boots!

A festive scavenger hunt is a great way to keep kids entertained outdoors.

Cosy up & get creative at home

Try as we might, it’s not always easy (or even possible) to keep the children entertained outdoors. So, when a cosy day in is on the agenda, why not try one of these fun Christmas activities for kids at home? Keep reading for a few extra tips on how to make things that little bit more festive.

A Christmas movie marathon to remember

There’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to indulge in some seasonal movie classics. Why not let everyone pick out their favourite Christmas film and enjoy a duvet day? Then, get snuggled down on the sofa for a spot of Arthur Christmas or Home Alone. Just don’t forget the festive snacks!

Build your own Santa’s grotto

An oldie but a goodie! If the weather outside is frightful (or just a bit damp), a great way to keep the kids entertained indoors is to build a den with blankets, pillows, cushions and sheets. Fun for little kids and kids at heart, why not make it extra festive with some fairy lights and baubles? Just remember to put them back on the tree later!

Inspire their inner Picasso

Who can resist festive arts and crafts? Not us. From paper folding and sculpting to colouring, plasticine moulding and painting, you’ll find plenty of Christmas craft activities for kids to try out this year. Here are a few of our favourites:

DIY Santa beards | Christmas tree lights | Frozen bubbles | Puffy paint snowflakes

Rustle up some traditional food with a twist

Cooking with kids at Christmas can be so much fun, particularly when the recipe has a festive theme. Whether it’s cookies to be left for Santa or a kids’ pudding special to complement Christmas dinner, your little ones will be getting all the festive feels with a spot of holiday baking.

Here are some simple but oh-so-delicious recipes to try with the kids this Christmas:

Gingerbread menMelted snowmen biscuits | Cinnamon bread stars

Christmas caramel bomb | Waffle cone Christmas trees | Candied popcorn stars

Encourage the kids to try some Christmas-themed baking this year.

Easy (& free) activities for the big day

After all the excitement of gift opening (and likely chocolate eating) early in the morning, some kids might experience an afternoon lull on Christmas day. To keep up the festive momentum after Santa’s been and gone, here are a few easy entertainment ideas to try with your kids at home this year:

A paper sculpture challenge against the clock

Before you toss out the piles of discarded paper from presents, gather it up in one area for a sculpture challenge with the kids. Set the timer and get them to create the best festive-themed sculpture for a chance to win an extra Christmas treat.

Watch an Oscar-worthy Christmas play

With oodles of energy and imagination, many kids love to perform and show off their acting skills. In the lead up to Christmas, prompt your kids to prepare a Christmas show for the family, encouraging them to practice and rehearse ahead of showtime in the evening. Break a leg!

Get crafty with gingerbread

If your youngsters love to be creative and are a little competitive, set them the challenge of assembling the first full gingerbread house using a store-bought kit (or your own gingerbread if you’re feeling confident!). Parents don’t have to be left out of the festive fun either – why not get the kids to judge between mum and dad’s efforts?

No matter how you spend your festive break with the kids, we hope you enjoy every moment. Keeping busy can be a challenge, but with this handy guide, we’re sure you’ll find plenty of things to do over the Christmas holidays that will delight the whole family.

Stuck for Christmas gift ideas? Don’t forget to check out our kids’ footwear range, or browse the full men’s and women’s collections for stylish, quality footwear at fantastic prices. Merry Christmas!

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