School finishes, Christmas decorations are everywhere and there is the excitement of presents, family gatherings and festive food.
The Christmas holidays can feel magical for children.
School finishes, Christmas decorations are everywhere and there is the excitement of presents, family gatherings and festive food.
For parents, however, the holidays can also present a familiar problem.
How do you keep the kids entertained for two weeks?
The days immediately around Christmas usually take care of themselves. The more difficult periods are often the days before Christmas and that strange week between Christmas and New Year when nobody is entirely sure what day it is.
Fortunately, keeping children busy doesn't mean organising expensive attractions every day.
A good Christmas holiday combines bigger family days out with simple activities at home, outdoor adventures, visits to relatives and plenty of completely unstructured time.
Here are some ideas for keeping children entertained throughout the Christmas holidays.
Don't Plan Every Day
The first rule of surviving the Christmas holidays is not to turn them into a two-week entertainment schedule.
Children don't need a major activity every day.
Neither do parents.
Plan a few highlights and leave plenty of quieter days between them.
You might have one major day out, a couple of smaller local activities, visits to relatives and several days spent largely at home.
Children need downtime too, particularly after a busy school term.
Create a Christmas Holiday Activity List
At the beginning of the holidays, ask everyone to suggest things they'd like to do.
Write the ideas down.
You could divide them into three groups:
free activities
activities at home
special days out.
Then choose from the list depending on the weather, budget and everyone's energy levels.
This gives children some control over the holidays without requiring parents to invent something every morning.
Make Christmas Decorations
Even if the Christmas tree is already decorated, children can make additional decorations.
Paper chains are one of the easiest options.
You could also make:
paper snowflakes
tree decorations
Christmas pictures
window decorations
festive bunting
decorated pine cones.
Homemade decorations don't need to look perfect.
In fact, the slightly wonky ones often become the decorations families remember years later.
Make Christmas Cards
Instead of buying every Christmas card, let children create some.
Provide paper, colouring pencils, stickers and other craft materials.
Cards can be made for grandparents, relatives, neighbours, teachers or family friends.
Younger children can draw pictures.
Older children can design more elaborate cards and write their own messages.
This combines creativity with something genuinely useful.
Bake Christmas Biscuits
Christmas baking can fill an entire afternoon.
Choose a simple biscuit recipe and let children help with mixing, rolling and cutting.
Christmas-shaped cutters can make stars, trees, snowmen and other festive designs.
Once the biscuits have cooled, decorate them.
Children can then package some as gifts for relatives or neighbours.
Expect the kitchen to require some attention afterwards.
Build a Gingerbread House
A gingerbread house can become a family project.
You can bake the pieces yourself or use a kit.
Younger children will probably be most interested in attaching sweets.
Older children may enjoy designing something more ambitious.
Don't worry if the finished house doesn't resemble the photograph on the box.
Structural engineering isn't usually the main objective.
Have a Christmas Film Day
Choose several favourite Christmas films and create a home cinema.
Children can make tickets.
Close the curtains.
Bring blankets into the living room.
Make popcorn or hot chocolate.
You could let each family member choose one film.
For a longer holiday, create a Christmas film list and watch one every few days.
Create a Christmas Treasure Hunt
Hide clues around the house.
Each clue leads to the next until children eventually discover the treasure.
The final prize doesn't need to be another Christmas present.
It could be:
hot chocolate
a Christmas film
a small treat
the announcement of a family activity.
For younger children, use picture clues.
Older children can solve riddles.
Go Christmas-Light Spotting
One of the easiest free Christmas activities happens after dark.
Wrap up warmly and walk around your neighbourhood looking at Christmas lights.
Children can score displays.
Find the biggest inflatable Santa.
Count reindeer.
Look for houses using a particular colour.
Choose everyone's favourite display.
You can turn an ordinary evening walk into a Christmas adventure without spending anything.
Have a Christmas Lights Drive
If walking isn't practical, go for a short evening drive.
Some neighbourhoods become extremely impressive during December.
Create a Christmas playlist and take snacks or warm drinks where appropriate.
Children can keep a tally of:
Santas
snowmen
reindeer
Christmas trees
stars.
Make the journey the activity rather than simply driving somewhere.
Visit a Christmas Market
Christmas markets can make enjoyable family days out, particularly with older children.
Look for markets offering more than shopping.
Some include entertainment, rides, food stalls, decorations and children's activities.
You don't necessarily need to spend much.
Set a budget beforehand so children understand whether they're choosing a snack, small gift or activity.
Popular Christmas markets can become extremely busy, so visiting earlier in the day may be easier with younger children.
Visit Santa
For younger children, visiting Father Christmas can be one of the highlights of December.
Santa experiences vary enormously.
Some are simple grotto visits.
Others include trails, activities, animals or entire Christmas villages.
Book popular experiences early.
Before paying for an expensive package, consider your child's age and attention span.
A two-year-old may be just as delighted by a simple local Santa visit as an elaborate multi-hour experience.
Go Ice Skating
Temporary outdoor ice rinks appear in many UK towns and cities during the Christmas period.
Indoor rinks are another option.
Ice skating can work particularly well for older children and teenagers.
Check age requirements, session lengths and whether skating aids are available for beginners.
Warm gloves are useful even at indoor rinks.
Visit a Christmas Trail
Christmas light trails have become increasingly popular.
Historic houses, gardens, forests and attractions may create illuminated routes during November and December.
These can be magical family experiences, but tickets can be expensive.
Choose one as a special Christmas outing rather than feeling you need to visit several.
Check how long the route is, whether pushchairs are suitable and how much of the experience is outdoors.
Go for a Winter Woodland Walk
Christmas activities don't have to involve Christmas decorations.
Put on boots and warm clothes and head into the woods.
Winter changes familiar landscapes.
Look for frost.
Collect pine cones.
Spot animal tracks.
Search for evergreen plants.
Take a flask and have a warm drink halfway through.
Children who normally complain about walking may become more interested if you turn it into a winter nature hunt.
Have a Winter Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of things to find outdoors.
For example:
a pine cone
something red
something frozen
a bird
an evergreen leaf
a muddy footprint
something shaped like a star
a Christmas decoration.
Take the list to a park, woodland or around your neighbourhood.
Older children could complete a photography version.
Visit a Museum
Museums are particularly useful during the Christmas holidays because the weather may be cold and wet.
Choose museums that match children's interests.
Science.
Dinosaurs.
Transport.
Technology.
History.
Art.
Some UK museums offer free general admission, while others charge.
Check opening times carefully around Christmas and New Year because holiday schedules can differ from normal.
Visit an Indoor Adventure Park
When children desperately need to burn energy, consider an indoor activity.
Trampoline parks, climbing centres, soft play and indoor adventure parks can provide a welcome change after several days at home.
Book ahead during school holidays where necessary.
For younger children, check whether dedicated toddler sessions or areas are available.
Go Swimming
A family swimming session can be a simple way to break up the holidays.
Check your local leisure centre's Christmas timetable.
Some pools offer inflatable sessions or special family activities during school holidays.
Swimming can be especially useful during that quiet period between Christmas and New Year when everyone needs to leave the house.
Visit the Library
Libraries shouldn't be forgotten during school holidays.
Children can choose new books, comics and audiobooks.
Some libraries also organise craft sessions, story times or holiday activities.
Opening hours may be reduced during the festive period, so check before visiting.
Create a Christmas reading challenge and see how many books the family can finish before school returns.
Build an Indoor Den
When the weather is terrible, stay inside.
Use blankets, chairs and cushions to create a den.
Add fairy lights only where they can be used safely.
Children can take books, toys and snacks inside.
You could turn it into a winter campsite and have an indoor picnic.
Sometimes the simplest activities create the longest periods of entertainment.
Have a Board Game Afternoon
Christmas is an ideal time to bring out board games.
Perhaps the children received a new game as a present.
Create a family tournament.
Keep a scoreboard.
Play several different games.
Pair younger children with adults if necessary.
You could even create a Christmas trophy that the winner keeps until next year.
Have a LEGO Christmas Challenge
Give children Christmas-themed building challenges.
Build Santa's workshop.
Create a sleigh.
Build the tallest Christmas tree.
Design a winter village.
Create a snow vehicle.
Build a house for an elf.
Set a timer for older children or give everyone the same number of bricks.
Display the finished creations until the holidays end.
Make a Christmas-Themed Obstacle Course
Children who have been indoors for several days may need something energetic.
Create a safe obstacle course.
Crawl under the “Christmas tunnel”.
Jump between “icebergs”.
Throw soft snowballs made from rolled-up socks into a basket.
Balance along a taped “North Pole path”.
Deliver a present to the finish line.
Adapt everything to the space available and children's ages.
Make Homemade Gifts
Children can create small presents for grandparents or other relatives.
Ideas include:
painted pictures
photo frames
decorated jars
bookmarks
biscuits
ornaments
small craft projects.
The activity gives children something to concentrate on and produces a gift at the end.
Make Thank-You Cards
After Christmas Day, encourage children to make thank-you cards for presents they've received.
This doesn't need to feel like homework.
Provide craft materials and let children design them.
Younger children can draw a picture while parents help with the message.
Older children can write their own.
It's an excellent activity for a quiet afternoon after Christmas.
Have a Toy Clear-Out
Christmas usually means new toys arriving.
That makes the holidays a good time to sort through older ones.
Involve children rather than secretly removing everything.
Create piles:
keep
donate
recycle or dispose of appropriately.
Explain that toys they no longer use may be enjoyed by another child.
Don't expect younger children to enthusiastically donate half their bedroom.
Even a small clear-out helps.
Actually Play with the Christmas Presents
This sounds obvious, but Christmas can become so busy that children barely have time to properly use their new toys.
Leave some days completely unplanned.
Let them build the LEGO set.
Play the new board game.
Read the new books.
Create something with the craft kit.
The presents themselves can provide plenty of holiday entertainment.
You don't need to immediately take everyone somewhere else.
Visit Grandparents or Relatives
Christmas holidays are an opportunity to spend time with family.
A visit doesn't need to involve an organised activity.
Children can play games with grandparents, bake together, look through old photographs or go for a walk.
Older relatives may also enjoy teaching children something.
A card game.
A recipe.
A craft.
Family activities don't always need to be designed specifically for children.
Have a Pyjama Day
Not every holiday day needs to be productive.
Choose one day where nobody has to go anywhere.
Stay in pyjamas.
Watch films.
Play games.
Eat leftovers.
Build LEGO.
Read.
Children have spent an entire school term following schedules.
A completely unstructured day can be exactly what everyone needs.
Go on a Boxing Day Walk
For many families, a Boxing Day walk is already a tradition.
After a day of Christmas food and sitting indoors, getting outside can feel wonderful.
Choose somewhere simple.
A local park.
Woodland.
Beach.
Countryside trail.
You don't need a six-mile hike.
Even an hour outside can reset everyone's mood.
Turn Leftovers into a Cooking Challenge
The days after Christmas often involve a refrigerator full of leftovers.
Older children can help turn them into something new.
Create sandwiches.
Make a simple buffet.
Design unusual combinations.
Children could invent their own Boxing Day café and produce a menu.
Always follow appropriate food-storage and reheating guidance.
Create a Family Quiz
Christmas is perfect for quizzes.
Create rounds covering:
Christmas
films
music
animals
sport
general knowledge
family trivia.
Everyone contributes questions.
Grandparents can join in.
You could even create questions about events from the previous year.
Create a Family Yearbook
The end of December is a good time to look back at the year.
Choose favourite photographs.
Ask everyone to select their favourite family day out.
Write down funny memories.
Record favourite holidays.
Children can draw pictures of important events.
Combine everything into a simple scrapbook or digital family yearbook.
Repeat it each year and you'll gradually create a family archive.
Make a Bucket List for Next Year
Ask each family member to suggest things they'd like to do during the coming year.
Visit a castle.
Go camping.
Try paddleboarding.
Visit a theme park.
Go to Scotland.
Spend a day at the beach.
Visit a new museum.
Learn to ski.
Not everything needs to happen.
The activity itself gets children thinking about future adventures.
Celebrate New Year's Eve with Younger Children
Small children probably don't need to remain awake until midnight.
Create an earlier family celebration.
Have party food.
Play music.
Dance.
Play games.
Do a countdown at 8pm or another suitable time.
You can even find a prerecorded countdown.
Young children get the excitement without becoming completely exhausted.
Older children may enjoy staying awake for the real thing.
Create a Christmas Holiday Routine
Children don't need a school-level timetable during the holidays, but some structure can help.
A simple day might include:
a slow morning
one activity
some outdoor time
independent play
screen time
a family activity in the evening.
You don't need to schedule every hour.
A little structure simply prevents the entire holiday disappearing into continuous screens.
Set Reasonable Screen-Time Expectations
Christmas holidays usually involve more screen time.
That's not automatically a problem.
Children may receive new games.
There are Christmas films to watch.
Families are spending more time at home.
Rather than fighting constantly about screens, agree reasonable expectations.
For example, screens might be fine after everyone has been outside or completed another activity.
The exact approach depends on your family.
Aim for balance rather than trying to create a completely screen-free Christmas.
Keep Some Activities Free
Christmas is expensive enough.
Children don't need paid attractions every day.
Some of the best holiday activities cost almost nothing:
Christmas-light walks
winter walks
den building
board games
baking
crafts
library visits
family films at home
scavenger hunts
LEGO challenges
visiting relatives.
Mix these with occasional paid experiences.
Your bank account will appreciate it.
Have a Bad-Weather Backup Plan
Winter weather can change quickly.
If you're planning an outdoor Christmas trail, market or family walk, have an alternative.
Museum.
Swimming.
Cinema.
Indoor adventure park.
Home activity.
Don't let a day collapse simply because the weather changes.
Sometimes the backup activity becomes the better day.
Don't Forget Outdoor Time
Cold weather doesn't mean children need to remain inside for two weeks.
Dress appropriately and get outside.
Walk.
Cycle.
Visit the playground.
Explore a forest.
Go to the beach.
Look for wildlife.
Children often cope with winter weather much better than adults expect once they're wearing suitable clothing.
Returning home for hot chocolate afterwards makes it even better.
Christmas Holiday Survival Checklist
It can help to have a few things ready before school finishes:
basic craft supplies
colouring pencils and paper
baking ingredients
board games
books
LEGO or construction toys
winter clothing and waterproofs
family film ideas
simple scavenger-hunt lists
information about local indoor attractions
a few free day-out ideas
one or two special activities booked in advance.
You don't need all of these.
The objective is simply to avoid reaching the third morning of the holidays with absolutely no ideas.
Don't Try to Create a Perfect Christmas
Social media can make Christmas look like two weeks of perfectly coordinated family activities.
Real Christmas holidays don't work like that.
Children argue.
Plans get cancelled.
Someone becomes ill.
It rains.
The gingerbread house collapses.
A child announces they're bored approximately 40 minutes after opening a mountain of Christmas presents.
None of this means you've failed to create a good Christmas.
Children often remember the simple things.
Playing games.
Watching films together.
Walking to see Christmas lights.
Visiting grandparents.
Building something.
Eating too many biscuits.
Staying in pyjamas all morning.
The Christmas holidays don't need to be filled with expensive attractions and perfectly planned activities.
Choose a few special days out.
Keep plenty of simple activities available.
Get outside when the weather allows.
And leave enough empty space for children to simply enjoy being at home.
After all, sometimes the best part of the Christmas holidays is having absolutely nowhere you need to be.