How do you keep your children entertained during the festive holidays? Share with NOW TV - chance to win £300 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

The couple of weeks (or so) holiday from school at Christmas time can be a long slog once the ‘big day’ is out of the way, especially if the weather is not very kind.

NOW TV would love to know your top tips on keeping the children entertained during the winter school break - do you brave the sales, snuggle up for a movie afternoon, encourage long wintery walks or dig deep and go to soft play? How about some baking or crafts? What about older children? Do you limit device time or allow them some extra time with their tablets? When do you get any holiday homework done? What do your children like doing in the Christmas holidays?

NOW TV say “'With NOW TV, we have a host of family movies lined up for the festive period - from Frozen to The Polar Express and even the classic Sound of Music! Families can also enjoy newer movies like Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them and The Lego Batman Movie - all from the comfort of their own front room'

Whatever your tip or best advice for other parents, add it below and you will be entered into a prize draw where one person will win a £300 voucher for the store of choice - from a list.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T and Cs Apply

[UpOnDown]

Have various ideas that you can go to depending on weather and mood.

[Easylikeasonntagmorgan]

Lots of baking, crafting and snuggling up together watching Christmas films

[KnottedAnchorChief]

Wrap kids in lots of layers, go to beach for a good blow and some beachcombing then home for hot choc and board games. Screen or telly time after tea.

[Sammyislost]

We love to have snuggly days at home watching films together, with lots of snacks! There are so many good christmas films now that it takes us weeks to watch them all. We always have a big day out, like going to the pantomime, or Disney on Ice where we can celebrate that amazing Christmassy feeling together! We love a bit of baking too ( i always include baking kits in their christmas stocking to bring out when they start to get bored).

We also LOVE to bring out board games at Christmas, with a christmas film or christmas music in the background!

[Alakazam7]

It’s my first Christmas with a child in the house (she’s 8) and I’m determined to make it a magical time.
We are doing a Santa dash for charity, sorting through toys to donate to charity shop to make room for new ones, baking, crafts and making cards, having special photos taken in a studio, attending sing along Santa and a pantomime, seeing Santa at a local farm winter wonderland, going for winter walks, watching Christmas films and listening to Christmas music, a trip to the cinema and have found a company that does elf visits to dance and sing around the garden so have arranged one of these as a surprise for her.
This sounds like a lot but with it being our first one I want to make it really special.

[DowntonCrabby]

Lots of snuggly days after the excitement and business of the Christmas period. We'll watch festive family movies, bake, craft, do jigsaws and play out in the snow!

[del2929]

poundshop crafts
days out at relatives
movie days
and then if this fails ...do what the hell you want day.

[SillyMoomin]

Planning - ideas for cold / wet / dry / inside ideas- then you can adjust and the entire day isn't thrown into a chaos of "I'm borrrrrrrred"

And always, always have a back up film ready to go!

[EvilDoctorBallerinaRoastDuck]

They mostly entertain themselves, but when that doesn't work, TV, DVD's and tablets. 😆

[ilovekitkats]

DC just entertain themselves generally, they don't expect to be whisked off somewhere every day as they know that there isn't the money for it.

They play happily with toys or tablet or watch films or go outside and ride their bike around like any other holiday.

The TV is always a good fallback.

[Sleepysausage]

I have a 3 year old. I've been keeping note of nice activities for us to do over the holiday. Things like baking, films, walks, father Christmas visits. So the each day we can do a different activity and wont forget things I've sent that look fun!

[TheKnackeredChef]

I'm a huge advocate of the holiday play date/sleepover. Once you've got 3 children in the house you might as well have six, and they keep each other entertained. And with a bit of luck, you'll get a nice free day further down the line when the other parents reciprocate. It's a win/win in my book.

[MummyBtothree]

I never have any problems keeping my DC entertained during the Christmas period but we do enjoy baking together, snuggling up on the sofa together watching festive films, getting wrapped up and going for walks and visiting family 🎄

[Gazelda]

Christmas is my busiest time of year work-wise, so I'm afraid my dd has been dragged into work more than once. But she's always spoiled by my colleagues and loves going on the twirly office chairs, sampling the sweets and helping take the coffee orders.
Other than that, she loves craft, movies, outings to friends and family.

[lorka]

We love board games as a family and we have lots of them to keep us occupied. We always get a new one for Christmas. Movies snuggled up on the sofa are great too!!

[BlueTablecloth]

crafts, baking, meeting friends in the park

[WinnerWinnerChickenDinner0]

Christmas is all about resting and recharging the batteries. Nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa with a feel good movie

[Summerdays2014]

We’ll be wrapping up warm and going for lots of outdoor play. My almost 2 year old is happiest outside!

[asuwere]

My DC do tend to entertain themselves; just the same as any other holiday or weekend they'll play in their rooms, play outside, we'll go to the park, visit relatives/friends, bake, board games etc.

[TomatoTomAto]

There'll be lots of movies, trips to various parks and beaches, cooking/baking and of course, once the big day is over, the haul from Father Christmas to play with!

I'm so happy that I've got the week after Christmas booked off work so I plan to recharge my batteries with ds. Can't wait!

[Candyperfumegirl]

Craft activities. Baking. Watching movies. Bored games. Sports games in the garden. Long country walks on wellies. The local park. Swimming.

[Cintacmrs]

so busy all year round - we go visiting others and just enjoying being with family and friends. Kids always find people and there house more exciting than ours

[Summergarden]

Baking
Card and board games
Parks
Pantos
New toys
Craft activities

[GetKnitted]

Lots of walks followed by lots of warming up at home, that's perfect!

[papaver]

baking - reindeer cupcakes and xmas biscuits
crash out on sofa with xmas films
the annual jigsaw
catching up with friends