Ideas for 11yos at Christmas

[FrancisCross]

I have 2 boys and a girl (all 11yo) and I’m trying to think of things we could do over the Christmas period to feel festive. They’re too old for Santa experiences and cringe at the Panto. Any ideas welcome. Thanks.

Ski lesson at a Snowdome if there is a local one.

Ice skating? Christmas markets, Christmas movie nights, is there a Christmas fair by you? They usually have one in the city centre here. Drive in Christmas movie maybe? Although the entertainment can be a bit cringy, my DD12 enjoys it though

Christmas market maybe? Cinema for a Christmas film?

Where in the UK are you? Chester Zoo do Christmas lantern walks with lights and lanterns shaped like the animals and other festive things. Always wanted to go but never managed to book in time.

Thanks for the ideas. We’re in Norfolk.

Ice skating (trip to London to one of the museum skating rinks?) Or one nearby?
A winter lights evening if they’re on - national trust do some eg. Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire, surely one of the Norfolk houses do one…the one we go to is like a winter evening music festival with folk songs and outdoor food.
Ballet if you think they would like it? (Some 11 y o boys would like seeing the Nutcracker, some definitely not!)
Trip to go Xmas shopping and see the Christmas lights in Norwich plus hot chocolate?

I’ve booked the Christmas light trail and ice skating at Warwick Castle - is there something similar nearby to you?

Do they like Harry Potter? The studio tour is beautiful around Christmas time, they make it all snowy!

The Christmas light trails are amazing and feel really christmassy without being too childlike.
When mine got to old for panto we started going to the theatre instead, sometimes it's Christmas themed but not always.
We also do a cheap hotel stay over and go Christmas shopping. Often somewhere we could have driven but the hotel makes it feel more special (we book early for a travel lodge or holiday Inn low rate)

*a day out shopping somewhere like London, bath, Cardiff etc. Hopefully some nice Xmas markets this year.
*illuminate or lit up walks, check online go see if any near you.
*"the winter games" - family games and challenges each week up to Xmas, (could be board games, photo treasure hunt, dares, good deeds, Xmas light bingo, random challenges). Each family member can earn points for winning or completing challenges. On Xmas day the winner is announced. There could be a big prize involved if u want or not.

Another vote for the Christmas trails, we did it at Kew last year and it was really magical and not babyish etc, think they have similar round the country.
I have 11 yo twins so interested in the responses, do you have triplets OP?

I am in Norfolk too, Sandringham do a lights festival which is meant to be good. We have also been to the massive Christmas market at Lincoln.

The experiences at Holkham Hall can be good we did santa there in 2019 and although my eldest was a bit eye roll at the mr and Mrs christmas but (who were absolutely excellent). The tour is amazing and the elves are hilarious in the way round.