Entertain children between 20th-25th

[Imtootiredtothinkofausername]

Just that really, I have 2 DC's. Any ideas/activities/top tips for keeping them entertained and all of us sane (and the house not ransacked) in the bit between school finishing and Xmas day?
Obviously excitement will be high, which is fine, but I don't want to peak and crash and burn too soon or spend all my time getting them to tidy up the chaos they have made!
So far I thought we could do some Xmas baking, go out for (lots of!) walks to look at lights etc, a Christmas film afternoon. Any other suggestions from you clever folk? Thanks!

Christmas crafts

Mine are adults now but still remember how difficult those days are when they are all wound up by all the Christmas activities at school!

Exercise is key I think, walks as you have said - take a flask of hot chocolate to make it more special. Swimming if the weather is bad. We have several museums nearby which are aimed at children. It really doesn't matter if they've been there before. Appreciate not everyone can afford it but a cinema trip will get you out of the house for longer than watching films at home.
Make paper chains tk decorate their rooms. You can cut up strips of newspaper or magazines &glue or sellotape if you can't get the pre cut gummed ones.

First day of school holidays is a good time to get them to completely tidy their rooms, with the promise of treats once done

Someone on here recommended swimming on Christmas eve - it's brilliant! The pool is half empty, and it tires them out.

Otherwise we'll be going to see Wonka at some point, then going on the arcades attached. We never normally let them do the arcades so that will be a treat for them!

Meet up with friends,
Walks- visit National Trust like place for light trail and Christmas decorations.
Visit city for Xmas lights and window displays.
Cinema or xmas movies at home
Xmas crafts
Make and decorate Xmas biscuits
Pantomime
Visit to Father Christmas
Swimming or soft play

Ah everyone else is moaning about how late break up is so if you can get out to the next town you might find it VERY quiet for a few days so could do some art galleries / museums, movie, swimming, bowling etc del on finances.
Ours break up 21st as do many schools I know so make the most of it!

Well probably do just post school chill 22nd, then out for movies maybe 23rd or come crafts and coffee shop. Christmas Eve I always try and book a kids theatre so it's Little Red Riding Hood this year

Where I am the schools break up tomorrow (but they’re back on 2 January) but the kids are knackered so I’m hoping for some full scale vegetation in front of screens :)

We went swimming on Christmas eve last year, literally were the only ones in the pool and they let us in for free (not saying that would happen every time). I think a girl and her mum arrived as we were getting out. If you don't normally use the bus, the kids might enjoy a bus trip to somewhere and walk home or tram, if you have one.

Came to say swimming. Always a Christmas eve trip for us with an early dinner as always starving and means they are tired early and get a better sleep.

Other ideas, get a large Christmas themed jigsaw and that should fill a few hours, roll of brown paper that they could decorate to use as wrapping paper. Take them to the poundshop to buy each other gifts?

Go out of the house, walks with a cafe treat at the end, swimming, museum, cinema

Are there any holiday clubs running? We had one running for the 2-3 days prior to Christmas and it was great to get DD out of the house, she had fun and we could do the last bit of food shopping.

Some Christmas craft, paper chains are great and not messy

Baking

Love swimming at Christmas! So quiet!

Also your library may have activities...and xmas books!

We don’t break up until 22nd, I’d love a bit of baking, chilly walks, light spotting etc.

YouTube and video games. Is that just me? 😂

If you have Lego, put written suggestions of festive things to make in a jar, eg Santa, a reindeer, a sleigh. Everyone picks one out and has to make it to the best of their ability & design. You could turn it into a competition depending on children. Keeps mine busy for a little while.