We understand this year there is a lot of things we can’t do due to the coronavirus restrictions in place, but there are plenty of ways to have fun and spend quality time with the family at home. We have put together a list of simple, fun Christmas activities that the whole family can get involved during the holidays. These activities are easy to arrange and won’t cost you a fortune at this expensive time of the year and they can also help create some beautiful family traditions that you can enjoy year after year.
Get Baking
Gingerbread men, Christmas cake, Mince Pies, Yule logs, there are just so many tasty festive bakes to choose from. Christmas is the perfect time of the year to get baking and kids will love to help make some tasty treats. Make a cake for the big day or some other festive treats to enjoy yourself and hand out to any visitors. Kids of all ages can join in the fun and you can help them to learn some valuable skills for the future. You don’t have to be Mary Berry yourself, just follow a simple recipe online and have fun with it. Why not try some of these delicious Christmas cookie recipes to leave out for Father Christmas (don’t forget to save a few for yourselves) that your little ones can have fun decorating.
Wreath Making
Everyone loves a beautiful wreath hung over their front door. Making and decorating your own at home can be a lovely festive tradition that you can enjoy with the kids. If there are any forests or woodlands nearby take the children on a festive walk to gather some evergreen branches and pine cones, or if you trim your Christmas tree you can use the excess. Get a foam or wire ring from a craft store and attach the greenery to it. If this all seems like too much hassle, you can just buy a plain wreath from the shop instead.
Once you have your wreath allow the kids to decorate it with Christmas ornaments, bows, pinecones and lights or get them to make their own decorations to decorate it with. Your kids will have so much fun making their own wreath and you’ll have a beautiful, handmade and completely personalised wreath to hang on your front door.
If you need some inspiration to help you design your own Christmas wreath, check out Good Housekeeping’s 70+ striking Christmas Wreath ideas, there is a design style for just about anyone from traditional greenery to striking bauble wreaths, bow wreaths, pompom wreaths and even a beautiful wreath made from recycled toilet paper rolls (great for those who are guilty of hoarding toilet paper).
Christmas Movie Marathon
This is possibly the easiest activity but is an absolute must no matter how old you are! Have a relaxing day wrapped up indoors watching all your favourite Christmas films. Get everyone to pick their favourite Christmas film to watch, all put on your festive pyjamas and wrap up under a blanket with the fire on whilst having a Christmas movie marathon. Sounds perfect. This activity is relaxing, fun and will really get you into the festive spirit if you’re not already. Why not make some delicious hot chocolates to enjoy too, with this easy to follow slow cooker hot chocolate recipe, or try this peppermint white hot chocolate recipe for something a little different.
Boxing Day Breakfast
Carry on the Christmas traditions right through to the New Year. After the big build-up and then the festivities and fun of Christmas Day the whole family and usually well and truly exhausted. No doubt you’ve stuffed yourself full of delicious Christmas food like roast turkey, pigs in blankets, stuffing and enough roast potatoes that you think you’re starting to look like one, so change things up on boxing day. Take it easy and relax at home with a Boxing Day breakfast (or brunch by the time you’ve had that lie in) for the family.
Why not try making this super-easy Slow Cooker Full English, for a simple and hassle-free breakfast. You could even re-purpose your left-over pigs in blankets or potatoes to make hash browns. If you fancy something completely different, however, why not try our Perfect Pancake Recipe or American Waffle Recipe instead.
Make Your Own Decorations
Making your own Christmas decorations can be loads of fun for kids of all ages! You can buy ready-made craft sets in shops or you can go out and buy all the little bits and pieces yourself. Put a sheet over the dining table and set out all your bits and pieces in little pots like glitter, sequins, pom-poms, ribbon, bows, beads, pens and paper and let your kid’s creativity run wild. If you don’t want to spend lots of money, you can just get them to draw pictures and cut them out and put some string through the top, or screw up balls of paper and thread them together.
Another great option is to make salt dough ornaments. These are ornaments you make out of dough and bake but sorry they’re not edible! They only require three ingredients; salt, flour and water so are incredibly cheap to make, but make really effective Christmas decorations. Simply mix 250g of flour and 125g of salt together in a bowl, then add 125ml of water until it comes together in a ball. Then roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Makes a small hole in the top to thread through your ribbon later and then bake in the oven on its lowest setting for three hours. Once cooled you and your kids can decorate them with paint, glitter and anything else you fancy. They can be hung on the tree, around the house or even used as gift tags.
If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this Christmas, especially if you’re stuck indoors due to coronavirus restrictions, try one of these activities above. We’d love to know if you try any of these ideas out, and if you have any ideas of your own let us know on social media! Finally, from everyone here at Swan, we hope you have a lovely Christmas!
