Christmas is upon us and with the school holidays just around the corner the kids soon will be too! – So, it’s time to start thinking about organising all that festive-fun. To help you get ready for a jingle bell time here are a few things you can do to make sure you have a swell time!
Santa’s Grotto
Santa’s a busy man so make sure you schedule an appointment this Christmas before things get too helter-skelter! Visits to the silver-bearded man normally involve presents for the little ones to keep the magic alive! Santa’s Grottos pop up all over the UK, but Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in particular guarantees festive fun; packed with Christmas activities, story-telling and much more. The best part is there’s no need to book and it’s completely free of charge!
Bring on the ‘Figgy Puddin’
Stock up on all the ingredients for a fun-filled afternoon and don’t forget to turn the volume up on some good Christmas tunes. Home-made desserts are a great way to keep your kids occupied. With some fun, easy and cost-effective treats to enjoy, you can’t really go wrong (just remember to set the oven timer!). Get creative with a gingerbread house or throw everything together in a delicious Christmas rocky road.
Top tip: These treats can also be used as gifts; all you need to do is wrap them in some pretty paper or a nice box and you’re good to go. There are a number of ideas you could use on the BBC good food website, so why not give them a go?!
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and it’s all about creating those magical moments at home. Get into the festive spirit by spending the afternoon making some of your own decorations; guaranteed fun for the kids – and you too. Home-made arts and crafts are bound to keep the little ones satisfied for hours and it’s also a cost-effective way to celebrate – if you’re looking to save on the never-ending expenses of Christmas. Here are some DIY ideas to get you started.
Theatre shows
Festive entertainment comes in many glorious forms and theatre shows are one of the finest ways to get the little ones to sit-down (for a change…) and enjoy the fun. There are some amazing all-time favourites as well as new ones we’ll grow to love. Lose yourself in a world of pure imagination at the Bridge Theatre, London, with tickets ranging from £15-£80.
Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio
A visit to the Harry Potter Studios at Christmas is sure to leave you feeling enchanted. At Christmas, the Great Hall is dancing with icicles and shimmering with snow that never melts! There are also a whole host of things to get involved in. The festive transformation will spread all the cheer but make sure to book tickets in advance as this event is incredibly popular. The shows run through December to 5th January 2020.
Lapland UK
The thing dreams are made of… delivered to you with a personalised hand written letter from Santa himself, Lapland is bound to get things into the full-festive swing. Dive into a world full of cheer with all the incredible things that make Christmas the best time of year. The day will be organised into the magical creation of toys, baking delicious treats, ice skating, ‘snow’ playing and of course meeting good ol’ St. Nick. This Christmas extravaganza perfectly will put more than just a smile on your little one’s face. Open from the 16th November all the way until 25th December, make sure you book in advance as tickets for this festive event are very popular.
Movie Marathon
Nothing says Christmas like getting in to your comfy pyjamas and letting the good times start. Choose a selection of your all-time favourites and put out your best spread of chocolatey goods. Snuggle up with those oh-so-warm blankets and cushions and let the fun begin. After a long day of festive activities all you want to do is curl-up on the comfy chair and put those classics on.
Winter Walks
Explore the magical mysteries of your local area by taking your little one’s on an enchanting winter walk. If we’re lucky enough to get snow, wrap up warm and make an obligatory snow angel – or two. You could even build the most perfect snowman with two eyes and a carrot nose. Even if we don’t get snow you can still make a wonderful day of admiring the branches of the bare-leaved trees and hunting for chestnuts.
