What to do to keeps kids entertained over Christmas?

[DoSomeWork]

Age-old problem I know. No family near so won't be visiting. We've done London museums and kids hate being dragged to National Trust type places. DH doesn't like going out to do active things (no walks, cycle etc, especially in the cold, and while I quite like a walk, kids will moan). I have suggested theatre, panto or suchlike, but it's really expensive where we are and no one seemed keen anyway.

I just want to plan a few things so it's not same old boredom complaints every day (or they all end up staring at screens, which we already do too much of).

What are you doing with kids to stave off boredom over Christmas?

Could you do a light trail? I know it’s technically a walk, but the kids might be more enticed by the novelty factor & having things to look at. I’d leave DH at home.

Christmas cookie baking session??? Then take them to elderly neighbours etc? Or just go for a walk and look at everyone's Christmas lights. Lots of churches have Christmas christingle services x

@shellyleppardour local church has a Christingle service in Jan, so it's bookmarked but not for a while. I might take them round local houses though, there's a road near us which is meant to be really nicely done so that's a good shout.

We did a light trail a couple of years ago and that was good, so I think I'll look into booking it again @LittleBanana, thanks. (Even DH came and didn't hate it)!

We’re going to TOCA social at the O2 then pizza express.

What about the exhibitions at the museums- there’s a new immersive one at the natural history museum?

theatre show?

How old are they?

We are baking, and when I say baking I mean I’ve bought a few biscuit making kits and one of those ginger bread houses to build. I’m a horrible baker.

My dcs are theatre and music fans so we see a lot of shows over Christmas. There is a huge variety at this time of year, eg magic shows, comedy, immersive, dance, puppet shows, things like Bluey and Disney in Ice. We've done Winter Wonderland and we'll do another Christmas/Meet Santa event, a light trail, a few concerts, Gingerbread City, specific museum/gallery events like storytelling and printmaking, some art and gymnastics drop-off camps, a Christmas soft play party, Nutcracker, dance party at Southbank, ice skating, the zoo. There's lots of specific events at museums so even if you've been before, they spend their time doing something different.

I find this quite odd. They will get presents presumably and Christmas is for playing with your presents baking construction board games colouring crafting (writing thank you letters) READING comics listening to music. And the occasional (one a day) family film. Decorating the tree, looking at others people's Christmas trees through their windows at dusk. Special interest projects. OrDeciding where you might want to go on holiday next year campsites or somewhere else.
The whole point is to be thoroughly bored and start entertaining yourself!
But Monopoly if the parents can face it or Articulate.

@Twilightstarbright I honestly hadn't thought to look at exhibitions, so that's a great shout, thank you.

@Flockedheath We're not in London, but can get there in a couple of hours on the train, that's an amazing list, mine are a bit old now for Santa meets and Bluey and friends, but I wish we had a little more by way of theatre events and shows nearby. Maybe I'm just failing to find things but our local places are mostly just doing panto and I've not found anything especially creative.

@HappyNewTaxYear They are 7 and nearly 11.

@SwirlyShirly I like to think I'm a passable if scruffy baker and you've reminded me to look out the gingerbread house cutters! And honestly everything gets covered in icing and ALL the sprinkles so it really doesn't matter what it looks like and will be so full of sugar no-one will care. 😁

@Nettleskeins I don't think it's that odd, is it? I'm just trying to come up with some ideas of things to do that aren't just hanging out at home, as we already do a lot of that. They'll do most of those things you've mentioned (except thank you letters as no-one else is buying them things except me & DH) but two weeks of it will lead to boredom and I'd just like to get out and about a bit and honestly am struggling for ideas. I'm struggling with a lot of things to be honest, hence crowdsourcing for ideas - I do love Mumsnet for suggestions or reminders of things to do!

Have you got a smaller local football team?
get tickets to see a live match

I would take them to some national trust places, at their ages it wouldn’t be a choice. My son is often not up for it but when we get there he enjoys it. They often have Christmas activities on.

Daily exercise is super important so IMO your DH is just going to have to suck up a daily walk or cycle.

If you don’t have a dog you could walk one via borrow my doggy or the cinnamon trust. Frame it as a good deed, not a trial run and remind them that Xmas is a time of giving.

Do walks that are scavenger hunts. Prep ahead and plan a route and give them a list each. Questions like what colour door did number 47 have. Count the chimneys on number 64.

As well as just baking at home, consider teaching them to cook actual meals. And think about what other life skills you want them to have. Could be ordering at a cafe or sending them to purchase items at a shop.

Any leisure centres with indoor pools you could visit? Or squash court or basketball court you could hire to have a run around together.

Buy a family game for Xmas and all play together.

ice skating.

Ice skating
Making a gingerbread house. You can buy kits to do this
Bowling.
Panto
Xmas movie and hot chocolate station at home with popcorn, mini marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles for drinks topping.

@DoSomeWork I don’t think you’re odd btw. I like getting out and about and we don’t have a lot of family and friends to see.

It may be sold out but grinchmas afternoon tea bus tour was a big hit for my son. He also loves winter wonderland. I hate it but we compromise by going for opening and leaving my lunchtime. It’s far less busy and no drunk idiots at 10am.

What about a theatre showing of A Christmas Carol?