Christmas Market with kids

[Iwanuspdgwia]

We’re thinking of going for a long weekend at the end of November to a Christmas market with the kids, driving from Calais so have narrowed it down to Lille, Bruge or Brussels. Kids are young (2,4,6) so we definitely will not be going for the shopping, more for a fun Xmas weekend! Is it worth it and does anyone have any advice as to which would be best for the kids?

Brussels market is probably the most child-friendly. When we went, it had fairground rides, a meet and greet with Santa, a light show, parade etc…However, it was really busy (unbearably so) at the weekend and on Friday evening.

Don’t do it 🤣🤣 the ‘fun’ element for children that young will wear off within and hour or two and you are then stuck in a horrendously busy place with nothing else to do with three tired children who have travelled hours and hours for not very much. Save it for when they’re teens and can enjoy or go child free if that’s an option.

Honestly I'd wait until they are older. It's so busy you'll just be constantly worried about holding their hand so you don't lose them! Pushchairs also not easy to push around in crowded markets. Sorry to be the bad news brigade! I'd save your money and do days out at home instead spread out over Nov/Dec xx

I definitely wouldn’t do it at those ages. They won’t be enchanted. They’ll be tired, cold, bored and hungry and will refuse any of the delicious food available and demand something horrible, like McDonald’s. You will spend a fortune and be left wondering why you bothered.

Yeah this would not be my top choice of activity with kids under 10, even without all the driving!! Take them to see Santa at your local farm park instead.

Don't bother, kids really won't enjoy it and unless the weather is good it's a pretty miserable experience, Bruges was very disappointing, same tat you can buy everywhere.

If you fancy a family weekend including a Xmas market - consider Bristol (we the curious is a fun indoor place for kids) and jump on the train to the Bath Christmas market, it's a decent U.K. option but do check dates, ended very early last year!

Have you properly considered what's available to you more locally? Lots of stately homes have Christmas light trails with some shopping, mulled wine / hot chocolate and mince pies, etc. for example Blenheim Palace, Waddesdon, Kew Gardens (if you are in the London area). You could have the same experience - a couple of hours of Christmas magic - without the massive drive.

I totally sympathise with you wanting to do something more exotic. I LOVE these sorts of things and my DH and DSs (primary age) will humour me up to a point, and that point is about 90 minutes in, by which time they are freezing, bored and ready to go home.

I took my kids to a Christmas market close to home. It was cold, wet, and muddy. They wanted all the fabulous food but then didn't like it and so wouldn't eat it.

They're great kids, and I really thought it would be fun. But it just isn't a kids thing really.

There might be fair rides they enjoy, but they'd probably enjoy a daytime fair with less crowds more than a dark fair with twinkly lights (which is what you'd like!).

I would save it until they're older teenagers. Or go to a U.K. one and at least it won't be so expensive and time consuming with travel?

As per everyone else, I just wouldn't.

Christmas markets are primarily about shopping, eating and drinking hot alcoholic drinks. Even the child-orientated ones - which usually just means presence of one ride. Plus the kids can't see anything as they are too short to see over the counters. Have taken a pushchair around one and it was awful as so crowded, we gave up and went to an ice cream parlour.

Plus all of those destinations are likely to be cold and wet.

Sorry but can't think of anything worse.

Ok, I think you are all right and it’s a terrible idea 😭 @SummerInSun You’re exactly right .. my pre kids life involved so much traveling / weekends away etc and I am craving the exotic “I’m not just a mum” feeling. Unfortunately we don’t have anyone who could babysit for a night away because I’d go without the kids if I could! Maybe a weekend in Bristol with them is a nice idea or maybe I should just try and find a babysitter and go for dinner with my husband somewhere local, that would be a novelty!

Are you a SAHM? Or if the kids are in nursery/school take a day off work and go to a nice spa for the day yourself. I always found that helped me reset a bit 💐