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

208 replies

EllieMumsnet · 12/12/2018 15:52

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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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Mumsnet users share with Sky Kids how they entertain their children whilst they prepare for Christmas
OP posts:
andreaca · 23/12/2018 19:47

My children are at an age where they can entertain themselves, films music, they even do a bit of local shopping themselves.

laurac1987 · 23/12/2018 19:49

Christmas films, mince pies and chocolate milkshake seem to work!! Also, lots of help from parents. Phew!

sofieellis · 23/12/2018 19:53

Mine are older now, but I've always just included them in the preparations, getting them to help clean the house so it's nice for Santa always worked well! They came with us to do the food shopping and helped choose the nice treats.
I did present shopping and wrapping while they were at school and made sure it was all hidden away by the time they came home.

Kangakate · 23/12/2018 21:23

Helping with the preparation, cutting out the shapes for mince pies, holding the wrapping paper in place, otherwise it's distracting them with a film and hoping they go to bed early!

wwwwwwwwwwwwww · 23/12/2018 21:24

My daughter is playing with icing from the Christmas cake.

babyloi · 23/12/2018 21:57

I have a few things I use to keep them busy. My favourite is to buy ready made gingerbread men then whip up some icing and lay a tray of sprinkles and sweets out and let them decorate their own biscuits give to relatives. Christmas movies and popcorn never fails and neither does paper chains!

laurapotz · 23/12/2018 22:11

My daughter loves crafts, drawing and colouring and is happy to get on with things like that while I do Christmas preparations so I just put up with the mess she makes and clean up after her!

holey · 23/12/2018 22:17

I always made sure everything was done shopping wise before they broke up from school then got them to help with food prep and decorations and did wrapping while they were in bed. Getting them to make paper chains always kept them busy!!

tobypercy · 23/12/2018 22:23

the early stuff I do while I don't need to entertain them - like doing my online shopping on the train to & from work, and I wrap a few presents after children's bedtime each evening. If I really need to entertain them then yes I use the electronic babysitter (tv) :-D

shewhomustbeEbayed · 23/12/2018 22:39

Now my dd is older I can get her to do something like baking while I wrap the presents.
We do all enjoy watching Christmas films and tv programmes together though.

blondali · 23/12/2018 22:41

Currently, I hand her some wrapping paper and she plays with it whilst I get on! She's only three months old though...ask me again in a year's time and I'm certain the answer will be Netflix Xmas Grin

FrenchieMum2Be · 23/12/2018 23:00

We do a lot of Christmas craft activities (mostly involving paper and glitter)

Bellroyd · 24/12/2018 07:15

Best thing to do is either involve them in what you're doing or get together with their friends' mums to share looking after duties so that each of you has some free time to get things done.

If all else fails, threaten them with getting no presents.

flowerpower32 · 24/12/2018 08:12

Films, getting involved, letting the eldest wrap a few presents. Getting out the house and doing most of the prep when they are at school!

pinkiepie1 · 24/12/2018 10:12

We put Christmas movies on. I even give my 5 year old her cousins present to wrap (birthday not Christmas present) cos she likes to help.
But if I need big stuff doing dh will take dds on a long walk with dogs, maybe to shop to pick up a carrot for reindeer as I usually forget.
Although after watching Christmas chronicles I learnt that reindeer also like candycanes, who knew lol

noynoyavery · 24/12/2018 10:39

nristmas films, Eldest (12) Also loves wrapping up his younger siblings pressies, He says he loves seeing what they will get and he feels excited for them, He's a total sweetie (When he's not being a Kevin the teenager!) The younger two are currently playing indoor golf using a plastic bauble and an empty cheeselets tube. (There are games suggested on the side)

44PumpLane · 24/12/2018 10:51

I have two year old twins so they can often entertain each other.....but some music or a bit of Hey Duggee often keeps them entertained for long enough to get things done!

Or just wait till they go to bed!

Jimbomonkey · 24/12/2018 10:52

Definitely iPad and snacks! Haha

NatureIs · 24/12/2018 11:05

Christmas films, baking and craft that's not too messy!

Jocelynne123 · 24/12/2018 11:45

Christmas crafts, coulouring and movies. They like to help too. Wom th things like setting ing the able and prepping the veg. It takes longer but they love to be involved xx

Mariobug25 · 24/12/2018 13:11

My son knows his elf on the shelf is watching and if I need to get on with things, he will play independently 😃 usually that is colouring or playing on his kindle xx

cathryn1 · 24/12/2018 15:02

colouring books and pens, and we do the gingerbread house and Ava decorates it with sweets,then christmas films

Deeceeha · 24/12/2018 16:05

Making decorations for the Christmas tree keeps everyone amused, including me! Can't resist a bit of glitter ;-)

Twiglet1983 · 24/12/2018 17:00

It’s a mix of letting him ‘help’, asking the MIL to have him for a few hours and utilising his favourite tv shows.

BlackeyedGruesome · 24/12/2018 20:51

phone, computer, paperchains, homework [evil] but at least it is now done for the holiday.