17 & 4 year old - Christmas dilemmas !

[ChristmasQuestion123]

Hello !

I have a big age gap between my children, one is 17(m) the other 4(f).

I'd really love ideas for something they might both enjoy for Christmas festivities so we could all enjoy it as a family (as opposed to the older one tolerating to indulge us all!)

Please could I ask for ideas on:

1. A game (as in board game type thing). So far I've found dobble - enjoyed by both. Uno - enjoyed by the older, still slightly confusing to the younger.

1. Ideas for a Christmas film. Last year Paddington was a hit. But now I am stumped !

The only interests they both have in common are music (verrrrry different taste) and animals.

Any suggestions much appreciated!

Sorry just to add 17 (m) means 17 year old male, not 17 month old!

Be pretty impressed if a 17 month old could play dobble thought.

If they love animals what about a Christmas visit to one of the safari parks Christmas events.

I’ve heard good things about Longleat.

as for Christmas Day I think you could look into a joint present like a Lego animal or musical instrument they can build together?

My age gap isn't as wide as yours, but with very different abilities i've found that collaborative games are good, where you try and work together for an outcome. We had a disney themed one where you had to try and spot things on the board which was great as everyone had an equal chance. Dd6 is also starting to enjoy trivial persuit as we have one tht has separate adult and child questions.

Outfoxed is a good game for everyone.

Thank you - great suggestion. I've just bought it !

That's exactly the kind of thing that would be great, thanks. Any idea what the Disney game was called?

Thanks for your suggestions. I've booked some Christmas outings to do together - these are a bit easier to work out.

Building a musical instrument is actually a great idea for the older child, thank you. The younger one I think would get a bit difficult. She tends to get a bit bossy and domineering if she feels she can't do it or feels excluded. Then the giant older one slopes off in fear of the tiny tyrant.

I also realised the 4 year old is quite good at (animal) charades. So I was thinking about the game Don't Say It.

I was thinking the little one could just describe the animal without saying the name of it, and everyone else could play the game properly.

Younger children can be surprisingly good at card pairs matching games.
My DD has been able to beat me pretty consistently since about age 5.

Just had a look and tge games are called Eye Found It. From a cursory glance oon Amazon they make a smaller card game version now, but no longer make the large board game. It might be available on vinted or in different themes though.

Yes, just looked and there are several on vinted, both disney and other themes :)

We had this game - it is a really brilliant version of charades as you can adjust the clues by difficulty level so v good to play with mixed ability groups. Definitely recommend it.

This game is brilliant for all ages 2 to adult!

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a really fun game for kids and adults - my DD could play it confidently at 5. I'm pretty sure there's a version for little ones called Taco Kitten Pizza that maybe you could start off with?