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How do you keep your children entertained during the festive holidays? Share with NOW TV - chance to win £300 NOW CLOSED

341 replies

AnnMumsnet · 29/11/2017 17:14

The couple of weeks (or so) holiday from school at Christmas time can be a long slog once the ‘big day’ is out of the way, especially if the weather is not very kind.

NOW TV would love to know your top tips on keeping the children entertained during the winter school break - do you brave the sales, snuggle up for a movie afternoon, encourage long wintery walks or dig deep and go to soft play? How about some baking or crafts? What about older children? Do you limit device time or allow them some extra time with their tablets? When do you get any holiday homework done? What do your children like doing in the Christmas holidays?

NOW TV say “'With NOW TV, we have a host of family movies lined up for the festive period - from Frozen to The Polar Express and even the classic Sound of Music! Families can also enjoy newer movies like Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them and The Lego Batman Movie - all from the comfort of their own front room'

Whatever your tip or best advice for other parents, add it below and you will be entered into a prize draw where one person will win a £300 voucher for the store of choice - from a list.

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

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How do you keep your children entertained during the festive holidays? Share with NOW TV - chance to win £300 NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
freefan · 03/12/2017 22:02

We do lots during the holidays and each depend on the weather as if it's decent then I prefer being out to in, so activities can range from treasure hunts, sledging, walks, feeding the ducks or playing at the park. To Santa letter writing, Christmas card making, games or DVDs

emmav6 · 03/12/2017 22:11

homework is done first day so then they get to relax and play, with game time just in the evening still

KittyKat88 · 03/12/2017 22:11

If we're inside, then lots of arts&crafts, playdoh, colouring, puzzles or games. Otherwise, we dress up warm and head to the park!

JoGodfray · 03/12/2017 22:29

5 Kids all wanting to do different things - it is hard!!
I have been collecting all of their magazines over the year which they got bored with and tossed away. I have been on the look out for some really big scrap books (I used to have one when I was little). I have got lots of glue and glitter and the first rainy day I will get it all out and let them have some fun! They love arts and crafts!!

LeeR1985 · 03/12/2017 22:30

I never brave the sales with kids. That's madness. We usually have movie marathons with netflix and do some arts and crafts

mummykate87 · 03/12/2017 22:30

We try to do walks and go out places that aren't shopping centres. They're insane this time of year!

helly27 · 03/12/2017 22:59

We wrap up and see what has been brought in by the waves down at the local beach

nessa46 · 03/12/2017 23:01

depends on the weather, taking the dogs for a walk, if its fine, then back home for hot choc and dvds.
if the weather is bad, board games, a nice Christmas film, and lots of goodies.

MissTeri · 03/12/2017 23:11

We try to alternate days in and days out as going out can end up expensive! We love making Christmas cards and baking, or just drawing and playing computer games. Outdoors we go shopping, go Santa, watch the town lights get turned on ... there's always so much more to do at Christmas time. Evenings though it's home early, bath, PJs on and a film.

Lily2007 · 03/12/2017 23:54

Ice Skating, safari park with Christmas lantern display, teddy bear shop, glow in the dark golf, trampoline park, cinema, cuddling up at home with hot choc watching films /TV.

DuskPanda · 04/12/2017 00:01

Pre arrange play dates, pj days with Christmas films, visiting relatives, special days out, craft days and if all else fails electronics!Shock

pinkjjf27 · 04/12/2017 00:58

I just make the most of being with my kids . This normally involves a few lazy movie days, walks in the New Forest visiting family and playing with new toys and cooking up dishes with left overs

MaryStroppins · 04/12/2017 01:09

Any opportunity to have a scoot around the park is grabbed with both hands! I'll push the baby in the buggy and chase after my nearly 5 year that gathers pretty impressive speed! Plus lots of visits to the Garden Centre and the mini train, hot drinks in cafes and time to relax at home. The expectation that you must always be busy and out is unnecessary!

saltedcaramelhotchoc · 04/12/2017 05:57

Jigsaws, board games, snuggly films, books, baking (baking stuff in stockings), pantomime, a cinema trip, walks around estate to see lights, the usual, really. Plus a christingle service. I love the time off work and school without endless emails mounting up!

Dormouse1940 · 04/12/2017 09:10

Getting outside is always important for me with mine- helps them burn off some of that energy! Don't worry about the weather too much, that's what wellies are for and a bit of mud never harmed anyone.

Baking is a lovely activity to do together, with the added bonus of having tasty treats to enjoy afterwards!

Simple crafts, such as painting/sticking glitter on pinecones as tree decorations.

And just sometimes, having a quiet day in snuggled on the sofa in a cosy blanket watching a film is a fab way to relax....

lhlee62 · 04/12/2017 09:35

We do arts and crafts, baking, if it's dry we got to the park on their scooters, we do watch a lot of Christmas films as well.

GillianY1 · 04/12/2017 09:42

If it’s cold and rainy we watch movies or play board games or hide and seek. If it’s cold but dry we get our hat and scarves on and go,out for a walk. I avoid the shops with the kids, too much hassle!

shroney · 04/12/2017 09:57

they have playdates at ours or at a friends so that keeps them busy much of the time, we'll also be building lego, reading and watching all the great christmas films.

sarah861421 · 04/12/2017 10:28

A long list of stuff that they could do, and then they can pick things whn necessary. things to help, and downtime stuff as well. its ok for them to do nothing sometimes

AR2012 · 04/12/2017 10:53

Games and Movies mainly while the adults prepare dinner etc and when a parties underway to keep the kids from getting bored.

katkatgu · 04/12/2017 11:10

Plenty of board games!

Kickassname · 04/12/2017 11:39

We just got some washable finger paints for dd (2) and I have some old Christmas stencils so we can make festive pictures for the family.

We shall also be doing lots of Christmas baking (I need the practice!) and afterwards watching Christmas movies and some old cartoons on YouTube whilst we eat our treats, all snuggled up together.

We also like to put music on and dance together, so I'll be switching our play list to xmas music very soon! She loves to dance and it's a great way to tire her out for her nap/bedtime. I like to play the home alone soundtrack a lot.

I don't enjoy shopping in big places around this time of year so we will be staying close to home. Dd hates shopping at the best of times anyway. We will stick to soft play and walks around town.

jacqui5366 · 04/12/2017 12:47

we get the nintendo Wii out of the cupboard, and enjoy some bowling, golf, tennis and bike riding - taking turns setting records and having fun passes lots of rainy day time.

iut044 · 04/12/2017 12:54

Have plenty of films and tv series recorded to watch .

ForTheLoveOfSleep · 04/12/2017 13:12

Completely depnds on the day and which mood the DC (and myself) are in.
All in a good mood it's crafts/baking/park/soft play/walks
Just DC in a good mood it's board games/garden
All feeling "bleh" Christmas Movies/Tablet/Reading (Lazy Day)