Filling The Holidays With Fun- Ideas For Families This Winter

The Christmas holidays are fast approaching, and families up and down the country are looking forward to a well-earned break. If you’re counting down the days, and you’re looking for fun things to do with the kids over the winter, this guide is packed with ideas. 

Festive-themed days out

You may have noticed from social media posts, emails and adverts that businesses and entertainment and hospitality venues have stepped up their game this year, with many looking to make up for lost time. There is a huge range of festive-themed activities and days out on offer this year. From Christmas lights shows and enchanted woodland trails to breakfast with Santa and seasonal activities at zoos and wildlife parks, garden centres and country houses, there’s an array of events to choose from. Tickets for the most popular venues and events sell quickly, so if you’ve seen an advert that looked fabulous, or friends have mentioned booking tickets, search online and find a date that suits you as soon as possible. 

Some venues are hosting activities after Christmas Day so if you’re busy in the run-up to the big day, you can prolong the fun by making plans in the gap between Christmas and New Year. If you’re open to ideas, you can do an online search and filter results based on where you are in the country and how far you want to travel. Joining local social media groups is also an excellent way to get recommendations and reviews. 

Arts and crafts

This is a fabulous time of year to get crafty and hone your DIY and artistic skills. As well as doing activities at home with the kids, if you’re a fan of arts and crafts or you love to be creative, you could also consider going to a craft workshop. From pottery and weaving to wreath making and learning how to make your own cards, there’s an incredible selection of classes, courses, interactive workshops and family-friendly activities available. Look for local groups or sessions online. With the school holidays just around the corner, it’s also a great idea to stock up on crafting essentials and supplies for rainy days. If you’ve run out of ideas for activities, search for resources and inspiration online. 

Sport and outdoor exercise

Wintry weather may make most of us want to huddle indoors and snuggle by the fire, but it’s a wonderful time of year to be active and try new sports and activities. It may not be all that tempting to go for a run or take a football to the park if it’s cold and dark outside, but you can have loads of fun going for winter walks, family bike rides and taking advantage of the snow with sledging and snowball fights. Exercise is hugely beneficial for mental and physical health. Even if the weather is miserable, it’s important to try and get out for a stroll or a run around the garden every day. 

During the colder months, you can also increase activity levels without risking frostbite by making use of indoor facilities. From trampolining and climbing walls to dry slope skiing, ice skating, swimming and indoor tennis centres and obstacle courses for kids, there are plenty of ways to burn off energy and get the body moving. 

Staying at home

Going out all the time can be expensive, and some families may be looking to spend more time at home this winter to reduce the risk of seasonal illnesses. If you’re planning to be at home over the holidays, there are endless ways to have fun and spend quality time together. In addition to creative activities, you could organise movie or games nights, cook and bake together, plan treasure hunts in the house and garden, stage your own plays or concerts for Christmas and enjoy themed nights for dinner. You can also socialise with others and save money on eating out by hosting informal gatherings or playdates. 

When looking for inspiration for activities for kids during the holidays, it’s an excellent idea to focus on their hobbies and interests. You can find everything from educational activities to games and creative ideas online. You can also join groups and forums to get ideas from other parents. 

Getting away

Some people like to get away for a night or a few days during the festive period. If you fancy taking a break with the kids, there are lots of options to explore. Travelling may be slightly more complex than usual due to the pandemic, but it is possible to fly to many different countries now. Before you start planning excursions or booking flights, make sure you check the entry requirements for the country you plan to visit, as not all borders are open. Use the Internet to find the best deals on hotels, flights and packages. 

If you want to go away, but you’re keen to stay closer to home, you could think about camping, renting a lodge or a cabin, booking a hotel or hiring an apartment or a house. From wintry walks by the beach and woodland retreats to theme parks that are celebrating the festive period, you can plan an adventure that suits your budget and fits in with the type of break you’re looking for. This time of year is notoriously expensive, so if you are looking to save money, it’s worth looking online for vouchers and discount codes. You may be able to get free child tickets with a paying adult for attractions, or save on the price of a hotel or a holiday park with a code, for example. Compare prices using search engines and sign up to discount websites. It’s also an excellent idea to take advantage of sales and to subscribe to mailing lists and follow social media accounts if you have a venue, attraction or location in mind. 

The Christmas holidays are on the horizon, and families all over the country will be looking for fun things to see and do. If you’re looking forward to taking a break and spending quality time with the kids this winter, why not take these ideas on board? From arts and crafts and active pursuits to festive activities and spontaneous getaways, there’s plenty of options to keep everyone entertained.

 

*Collaborative post*