Eleven top activities for children, young people, and families this Christmas

16/12/2020

Whether you’re with others this Christmas, or staying at home, things are going to look rather different! When you’ve exhausted the (socially distanced) local QR Nativity Trails, or Car Park Carols or Zoom parties, give one - or more - of these a go:
Nativity scene

 

Make a Christmas Playlist

Make an online Christmas carol playlist. Share the link with friends and family and get them to vote for their favourite track.

Become a movie maker

Create scenes from the Nativity story using whatever you can find around your home (junk, modelling clay, toys).

Christmas Christingle

Christingles aren’t just for church! Make one as a centrepiece for your Christmas meal. This brilliant animation will show you what to do.

Watch the national Christingle service to learn more about the meaning and how it helps us to celebrate Christmas.

Have a conversation!

Download the Bible Chatmat here from the Diocese of Bath and Wells, grab some crayons and have a chat about the first Christmas. When you’ve finished colouring, they could be used as table mats the next time you have a meal.

Become a window dresser

Use glass paints to turn your windows into Christmas banners with characters from the Nativity story so that passers by can see them. No paints? Draw or paint the characters on large sheets of paper and tape them to the windows.

Play Nativity Charades

Write the names of people (or objects) from the Christmas story on slips of paper. Fold them up and put them in a box or bowl. Let everyone pick one at a time. Without using words, act out what’s on the paper while everyone else tries to guess the person or object (Acting out a inn could be a challenge!). Play individually or in pairs - or even on Zoom with family and friends.

Get outside

Checkout the Christmas Outdoors ideas from Blackburn Diocese. Wrap up warm and take a Christmas Challenge, go on a Scavenger Hunt, or have an after-dark expedition.

Get baking

Find a simple biscuit or cookie recipe and make it together. Cut stars and circles out of the dough and bake them. When the biscuits are cool, decorate them to represent the people or scenes from the Christmas Story. Maybe you could put some in a bag or box and share them with a neighbour.

Christmas Cube

Print a template for making a cube (there’s one here). Before you assemble it draw a picture from the Christmas story on each face or write a short prayer on each side. Take it in turns to throw the cube before meals. Depending where it lands, the thrower tells that part of the story or says the prayer.

Wandering Magi

The Magi had to travel a long way to find the Christ Child! Send them on a journey around your home from Boxing Day until Epiphany. Take it in turns to move them each day – and everyone else must find them. No Magi in your home? Draw them on card or use toys to represent them.

Comfort and Joy

Check out the Comfort and Joy Countdown to Christmas (and beyond) for activities, crafts and prayer ideas up to Christmas and beyond to Epiphany.