Christmassy outings, things to do with the kids etc

[Dolittlest]

We have booked a pantomime, and are taking the kids to see Santa in one of those God awful shopping centre grottos.

Any other ideas for Christmassy, and preferably cheap/free, things to do?

We're in London. Think they might be too young for Winter Wonderland.

There'll be lots of turning the lights on, school fairs etc locally which are free/cheap

How old are they? You could take 'em ice-skating.

Go and watch the ice-skating at Somerset House or do an activity

the Geffreye Museum has loads of good free stuff

There is a Christmas market on the Southbank

They're 5 and 2, so think ice-skating might be a bit much (plus I can't skate to save my life!).

Thanks for the links, bigTillymint. Some of the workshops look cool.

In fairness, DS has lots of stuff on with school (a party, a carol concert, a trip to see Santa etc), so don't need too much stuff to do, just trying to think of how to fill a few days in the week running up to the 'big day'

Whereabouts in London are you? We used to live SW18 and a walk around Wandsworth Common is fab at this time of year. You could collect twigs and bits to spray paint gold and make your own decorations when you get back. Take the ducks their (early) christmas lunch :)

There used to be a lovely little cafe called Natasha's just off Bellevue Road where you could go for hot choc after your walk. Alternatively there is also a Pitcher & Piano which is child friendly.

we always have a "making snowflakes" hour (or more).
Cut circles from paper, fold them a number of times, cut bits out and then open up.
We stick up all over our conservatory.

could also do paper chains, or get them decorating christmassy things with glitter etc.

write your letters to Father Chjristmas and post them to Santa, The North Pole.

Make some reindeer food with glitter and porridge oats, to sprionkle on xmas eve.

Make some xmas cards

Get a festive stamper and an ink pad and make gift tags.

, I';d bet your local church has a christingle/nativity/carols by candlelight service.

go for a walk after dark round the local streets to look at other people's decorations and have hot choc when you get jhome