Christmas activities for 2 year old

[jolene8]

DS has just turned 2 last month and I wasn't sure he would understand the whole Christmas thing so didn't plan much in the summer (when apparently you need to because everything sells out straight away) but since Halloween ended which he absolutely loved and understood, he keeps talking about about Santa and Christmas and gets so excited whenever he sees anything Santa/Christmas related. I now feel guilty that I haven't got much planned and wanted to know what others with similar aged children have planned. I have managed to book a slot at a local garden centre to visit Santa but that's it. Everything seems so expensive and hardly anything is available now but I want to try make it special for him. He has just started nursery so I'm hoping they will have some Christmas activities there nearer the time aswell.

All we ever did was a visit to Father Christmas at that age with trips to various garden centres to see the lights and decorations.

You can help them to make cards and decorations

A bit of Christmas baking nearer the time.

Garden centres usually have great displays so maybe take him to a few before the Santa visit (then he won't be expecting to see Santa every time).

We did visit a garden centre on Friday to look at the decorations which he really enjoyed. I think the reason I feel guilty is because my group of mum acquaintances have all these lovely activities booked such as the polar express, farm day out to visit Santa and the reindeer's and at least 4 different activities like this booked but they are so expensive and I didn't realise that these things sell out within a day or so. Christmas crafts are a good idea, although he comes home with lovely artwork at nursery he doesn't seem to have the patience for them at home!

He won't have much understanding about Christmas yet, but will enjoy seeing lights and your own Christmas tree.

There’s sure to be a Christmas concert at your nearest city’s main concert hall. (Probably several, in fact.)

Obviously a 2 year old won’t have much idea of Christmas, but I recall taking children of that age to a magnificently noisy festive concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. They were highly enthused and continued to imitate the sounds and ferocity of the percussion instruments for days afterwards.

Ticket prices for tiny children should be fairly negligible.

Tickets for Christmas theatre performances - whether Slava’s Snow Show type of thing or ‘The Nutcracker’ are bound to be more expensive. If it’s a stretch you could build the cost into a Christmas present from your most generous relatives.

One more thing - which may seem ridiculously obvious but might be forgotten - your nearest Cathedral will have a full calendar of Christmas singing happening during December. Doesn’t matter whether you’re religious or not, wandering into a huge church for Choral Evensong or whatever will be hugely absorbing and exhilarating - for adults and children - and free.

Have a look at their website and see what’s coming up over the rest of the year.

In the nicest possible way… Your kid is 2, I get some people go over the top, but a 2 year old will be as happy with the garden centre santa than a full on visit to Lapland
it’s November, you’re doing great
Christmas baking, crafts, go around town to see the lights, look into Carol concerts in the church, local schools will all have fairs
yes, if you have the money and manage to book a “big ticket event” great, but honestly, nice, simple, local, reduce the stress on you, you kid is 2, will be excited no matter what, just enjoy the simple things with him/her

He's literally just turned 2 his understanding is VERY limited and you're already going a bit over the top with a Santa visit to be honest. DS will be 4 just before Christmas this year and this is the first year we're making much of an effort, he literally doesn't remember any of the stuff we've done in previous years even when he's seen pictures.

A nice walk to see Christmas lights, an advent calendar and making some decorations/drawing some cards will be plenty.

We would drive round at dusk looking at decorated houses 'the twinkle run'. I agree with making decorations and playing carols, maybe a visit to a cathedral for church with a nativity scene. I'm not a fan of the commercialised Santa experience or a lot of talk / hype about presents.

What kind of activities are you looking at that have already sold out? I’ve just had a look at all of the activities I’m thinking of booking to take my 2 year old to and they all still have spaces/tickets available!! I’m looking at a family theme park, a big play area place with kids rides indoor and outdoor play animals and a Santa visit, a train ride and a Santa visit, afternoon tea and a Santa visit at a play area, a party and Santa visit at a play area and 3 different Christmas specials at toddler classes so there’s definitely still plenty of stuff available to book!! I won’t know what my partner is working until 2 weeks before so other than the toddler classes and maybe the play area party I can’t really book anything until I know what he’s doing as they’re family days out/experiences 🤷‍♀️

You could also look at:
Stay and plays as they’re likely to have Christmas themed sessions and will be cheap
Christmas markets near you
Walking around your street/nearby streets and looking at lights/decorated houses
Light trails
Breakfast with Santa
Indoor shopping centres often have activities on in the school holidays
You could do a photoshoot at home
Bake cookies for Santa
Hand and footprint crafts