Fun family activites for Christmas

If you want to get in the festive spirit and have fun as a family, then check out our top ten things to do this Christmas. From making your own Christmas decorations to going ice skating outside, there's something to get everyone excited about Christmas.

1. Visit Santa Claus at Thomas Land
Santa has many of his helpers all over the UK ready to listen to what your little ones want for Christmas. The kids will love a trip to visit Father Christmas, so check out your local department stores and library for when he is visiting. And, if you want to make a day out of it, then head over to Drayton Manor themepark this Christmas. It is reopening its popular Thomas Land attraction on the 22nd November and to celebrate Santa and his real reindeer are dropping by. For more information, visit www.draytonmanorlive.co.uk

2. Christmas themed baking
Kids love nothing better than making a mess, so why not make it a productive chaos. Bake some fairy cakes and get them to decorate the tops of them with Christmas themed scenes in coloured icing. Or why not make some edible tree decorations. These not only taste great, but will look fantastic tied to the Christmas tree with pretty ribbons. Find more Christmas themed recipes on askamum

3. Make your own Christmas cards 
Children absolutely love to make their own Christmas cards. All you need is some card, glue, glitter, pens, paint and even some cotton wool for Father Christmas's beard! Or, if you're children don't feel comfortable drawing their own, you get packs of make your own Christmas cards which allow children to colour in the ready made cards and add glitter. This will not only keep the children amused for hours but also delight the grandparents when they get given a hand made card.

4. Make your own Christmas decorations
It doesn't take much effort for the children to create their own Christmas decorations. To make paper chains all you need to do is cut chunky strips of paper about 5 cm wide and 20cm long and then glue the end together to create a chain. Then simply repeat the process, but link the chains together before you glue them together. And, if you don't fancy having these decorations strung up around the house, they can be a great way for the kids to add that festive touch to their own bedrooms. 

5. Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!
This has to be one of the country's best loved Christmas traditions. No doubt, you'll be putting up a Christmas tree in your home this year, but why not make visitng a Christmas tree a family day out. Every year, since 1947, the people of Norway have given the people of London the gift of a tree, which is placed in the centre of London's Trafalgar Square. It is given by their capital city, Oslo, as a token of gratitude for Britain's support during World War II. The tree is a Norwegian spruce - over 20 ft in height - and is decorated with traditional Christmas lights. it is a magical sight on a cold winter's night to see these lights glowing and hear choirs stand underneath and sing. It stays in the Square until 12th night - January 6th, when it is removed and recycled. Visiting the tree is totally free - and a really good way to get into the festive mood. For more information visit: www.london.gov.uk/trafalgarsquare/events. And, if you don't live near London then get in touch with your local councils to find out where your town's Christmas tree is this year or check out your local paper for timings and locations.

6 Go to a pantomime - "It's Behind you!" - Pantomimes are a traditionally British way of getting into the Christmas spirit. Most children absolutely love them and it's a great way to get kids going to a live show. With lots of singing, dancing, "boo-ing" - and often free treats thrown into the crowd, the children will love it. For a round up of the best Pantomimes appearing around the country this year, see our pantomime listings. And it's often worth listening to local news or checking out the local paper, as many run special promotions on family tickets - especially for the matinee (afternoon) performances.

7. Dancing on Ice
open air ice skating rinks are a brilliant way to get children outdoors and enjoying themselves in the cold winter months. Over the last few years, the trend for outdoor skating has really taken off and lots of open air icerinks have popped They are great fun especially after dark, when twinkling Christmas lights add to the festive atmosphere. And as it's usually dark by 4pm, young children can also enjoy the experience too. There are now there are rinks right across the country - including York, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle and Warwick. And, whilst you have to pay for the hire of your boots, you don't need any other equipment - except warm clothes of course. Many of the rinks are sponsored by the local council and offer concessions or family tickets. And, askamum have rounded up the best icerinks across the UK.

8. Festive fun at your local library
Your local library might seem a strange place to take your children at Christmas time, but if the weather is dreary and the kids are bored indoors, it can offer a great change of scenery. There are lots of festive things to do in your local library, from face painting, craft making, singing lessons to story telling, libraries across the country have a host of festive themed activities. And what's all the better is that they are absolutely free. For more information, visit your local library.

9. Light up Christmas
Another free seasonal event that the whole family will enjoy is seeing the Christmas lights. Up and down the country people go to great lengths to completely cover their homes in Christmas lights. So, you can take a drive round your local neighbourhood to see where the most spectacular light displays are. And, most town centres also have a turning on of the lights ceremony, so it's a great way to spend an evening as a family. Look out for more information in your local paper or on the council website. 

10. Decorate the Christmas tree
Decorating the Christmas tree as a family is a great way to get in to the festive spirit. The adults can have a glass of mulled wine while the children put up the decorations. Often children make tree decorations at school, or again, it's another great activity to do as a family at home.

11. Go on a winter walk
Wrap up warm and go for a winter walk. Head down to your local park or take a trip to one of these amazing festive parks:
Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire - This spectacular 600-acre tree garden will be bathed in thousands of colourful lights for the annual Christmas illuminations. There will also be carol singing, Santa visits, Christmas tree sales, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Every Friday to Sunday evening until 23 December, 5pm to 8.30pm. £7 adults, £3 children. 01666 880220; www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Whisby Nature Park, Lincolnshire - Search for Christmas presents scattered along a self-guided trail around the 200-acre Whisby Nature Park until 6 January. And while you're there keep a look out for kingfishers, great crested grebe and tufted duck, although the best places to view birds are from the bird hides scattered around the park. Trail maps available from the Natural World Centre. Santa trail is £1.50 per child. 01522 696926; www.wildlifetrusts.org
Sheffield Park Garden, East Sussex - Admire the reflection of floodlit trees in the water at this Capability Brown landscaped garden with its waterfalls, cascades and four lakes. Explore the gardens between 5pm and 8pm on 22 and 23 December, and from 27 to 30 December, to see the lights.  Adults £12, children (five to 16) £6. Family £35. Pre-booking essential. 01825 790231; www.nationaltrust.org.uk

11. Visit Santa Claus
Santa has many of his helpers all over the UK ready to listen to what your little ones want for Christmas. The kids will love a trip to visit Father Christmas, so check out your local department stores and library for when he is visiting. And, if you want to make a day out of it, then head over to Drayton Manor themepark this Christmas. It is reopening its popular Thomas Land attraction on the 22nd November and to celebrate Santa and his real reindeer are dropping by. For more information, visit www.draytonmanorlive.co.uk