Mumsnet users share with Sky Kids how they entertain their children whilst they prepare for Christmas

[EllieMumsnet]

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Many of us have a million-and-one things to do in the run up to Christmas, many of which aren’t particularly huge tasks but just time consuming such as wrapping the presents, writing cards, ordering the food and getting the decorations out from wherever they are stored for the majority of the year. Therefore in order to get get these things done and done quickly you often need to have a multitude of entertainment options up your sleeve and ready to whip out at any moment in order to keep your children preoccupied. Sky Kids would like to know how you keep your children entertained whilst you prepare for Christmas and if there are any Christmas events and/or times that would really help if your children were kept occupied.

Here’s what Sky Kids have to say: “The Sky Kids App is the perfect solution to keep your kids occupied in the run up to Christmas…..with thousands of shows on demand including Paw Patrol, The Gruffalo’s Child, Lego Ninjago and Rusty Rivets, and fun and educational games for all ages like Art Studio, you can buy yourself some ‘free’ time (to wrap all those presents!) safe in the knowledge that the available shows and games they're watching are age-appropriate and of course, entertaining.”

Do you pop on a Christmas film to not only get them in the Christmassy mood but also keep them entertained whilst you label and wrap all of the presents? Maybe the tasks such as putting up the tree and decorations you get them involved and assign them little jobs to do so you can kill two birds with one stone? What about the time you need to plan out all of the food and drinks that need to be ordered? Do you watch their favourite show with them whilst also planning on your computer? Do you wish you had more entertainment options for when your travelling all over the place doing the Christmas rounds?

However you keep the children entertained whilst you prepare for Christmas, share them on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

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Very hard - just work around them

Baking like crazy

Thankfully they are in a great routine and on line shopping has been so helpful and some great bargain to be had.
Wrapping in the evening while watching Christmas films and they have been helping wrap family gifts during the day

Usually Christmas films, but this year we have tried our hand at gingerbread house decorating, and they always have a Xmas Eve box with chocolates, PJ's, and a little puzzle or game.

Christmas films :)

My daughter loves to do crafts so she makes christmas pictures for me and her dad.

Involve them in decorating and helping with presents. Christmas films and lots of colouring and craft.

Netflix and Sky come in very handy at this time of year, he can watch films whilst I am doing my xmas planning. I also take him to family who look after him for a few hours and I do the same for their children when it's needed.

lego is the ever ready go to for busy creative time, no intervention required!

With lots of drawing, games, baking

We have sky so there are loads of films on there that the kids love. A film will keep them entertained for a while!

Christmas films to keep them occupied

TV or a cardboard box works wonders! :)

I put his favourite children’s tv programs on, he’s not interested in films just yet.

I have a 7yo, 2yo and 2mo. I involve my older two as much as I can. My 7yo helped to decorate the tree, put up decorations, wrap presents and write cards. She and my 2yo will help with Christmas baking. Wrapping their presents is usually done when they're in bed or during nap time when my oldest is at school. Mostly it's about planning your time and utilising it.

DH has to work for a few hours on Christmas eve morning so I've been gathering fun things in a bag like Christmas art and craft things and Christmas chocolate. It'll give them plenty to do that isn't just sitting in front of the TV, which I'm reluctant to do because we'll be sat watching The Snowman in the afternoon, as well as the new Christmas film that they have annually on Christmas eve. There will of course be other times during the festive period that they'll be watching films, but that's more about enjoying a festive film, rather than entertaining them.

help where they can, but mainly christmas films

my son is always creating stuff online like minecraft worlds, or you tube videos of his gameplay . I just keep an eye to make sure hes safe

i dont really do anything different , although i do send hubby out with my youngest so i can wrap pressies without her seeing

Making Christmas cards on the kitchen floor, on top of newspaper (easy to clean up afterwards)

Swapping playdates with friends, so that we all get some time without kids

Putting a Christmas film on and settling them down with blankets, hot chocolate and popcorn

I'll often put a Christmas film on whilst we do other Christmassy things. Decorating the tree and house, wrapping presents or even whilst we're just taking a break after a long day snuggled up on the sofa.

I let them play on the iPad and put on kids Christmas movies on Netflix and prime tv

Christmas crafts all the way

our dcs are older and help with the preparations. when they were younger they would be busy though making decorations, christmas cards etc or out playing

lots of Christmas films

Piece of paper- write your list for Santa
Give them a stack of cards- go write cards for your friends/ grandparents/ aunts/ uncles etc.