Enteraining a 3 yr old on Christmas Eve

[Time4change2018]

Hi
I am off work while most of my family are working Christmas Eve ... I'm trying to think of an activity or place to visit with my niece for a few hrs Christmas Eve morning, I'd love to have some fun while tiring her out for her parents .... any suggestions please?

whereabouts are you? there may be a christmas session on at your local church hall or soft play

Not particularly chrissmassy I know, but nothing wears tots out like a swimming session.

Any garden centres, farm shops etc nearby that have a play area? You could wander round the Christmassy decorated areas, visit any animals that might be there, play outdoors and have a snack in the cafe

Lots of these places often have a Father Christmas, reindeer etc

Thank you everyone. We are in the Midlands, just north of Birmingham.
I think there's the garden centre I love for Christmassey stuff that has a soft play and Costa at it.... that might be an idea with a little walk after our hot chocolates

How about a drive around the neighbourhood looking at the lights?

I've taken DC to soft play a few times on Xmas eve and it's always been deserted! A few hours running around there would always wear her out and not be too stressful for you either!

Beauty and the Beast pantomime in Sutton Coldfield?

We all go ice skating Christmas Eve afternoon!!

Swimming is often deserted and we can really wear all 4 DC out doing that. Then hot chocolate afterwards!

Hatton Adventure World in Warwick is very festive. It’s quite expensive but you can make a whole day of it. Lots of fresh country air and there’s a big soft play.

Bake gingerbread men and then go for a walk while they're cooling. Come back and decorate them. Can you walk to a local church? Churches are usually left open and will probably have a nice nativity scene on display.

We often do soft play on Christmas eve, it is nice.

Last year I took my stepdaughter to see a Christmas play. What about making Christmas treats and taking a short walk in the neighbourhood with the kids? Or you could always go carol singing.

Thanks all - she's done Hatton lots this year as we love it.
Lots of ideas, I'll bank these and probably decide a day or so before depending on weather but making cookies / gingerbread men sound good with soft play while they cool. Something nice to bring home to mom and dad or bring to nannas on Christmas day

Building and decorating a gingerbread house would be a lovely thing to do. My two are teens and still love doing that!

You can buy the ready made panels in a kit from places like Ikea, Lidl, Aldi etc

I know little one is three but what about a Christmas quiz? My twins loved this when they were smaller. A piece of card and cut out little photographs of things they have to find. So if you are going to a garden centre grotto - perhaps a Santa, Christmas decoration, box of crackers etc. If going f round the neighbourhood looking at lights perhaps a door wreath, some red lights, a Rudolf etc. When they have ticked them off they get a little prize.