It is almost time for the Christmas holidays. The winter months are cosy and intimate, but also quite intense and expensive. Fortunately, you don’t have to cut back on activities during the Christmas holidays, because there are plenty of fun, free things to do for you and your child(ren)!
Outdoor activities
Sitting indoors all day is no good for children. So come on, winter coats and boots on, scarves around your necks and out into the fresh air. There is plenty to experience.
How about, for example:
The woods. You can set out an exciting treasure hunt in advance. Or give your children a card on which they can tick off every animal they come across. Will you spot the local ‘big five’?
A nativity scene. In Den Bosch, the Sint-Jan cathedral has one of the largest and most beautiful nativity scenes in the Netherlands. Every year you can walk around this huge nativity scene, which brings the Christmas story to life. Many towns and churches have one, so look for one near you;
The petting farm. Many city farms and petting farms don’t charge an entrance fee, such as Boerderij Zorgvrij in Spaarnwoude. Educational and with something for everyone: a playground, animals and games. For a small contribution you can often join in with activities such as crafts or a candle-making workshop;
A light festival, such as the Amsterdam Light Festival. To see the beautiful light installations from a boat you need to buy tickets. But you can of course also just cycle or walk along the canals to admire all the illuminated artworks; that costs nothing and is just as much fun. Be sure to look for the artwork “Absorbed by Light”, a sculpture that shows our phone obsession and is very recognisable.
The beach. A bracing day at the coast is a day out for the whole family. And afterwards, of course, you go for a hot chocolate with whipped cream in a cosy beach café;
Will we have a white Christmas this year? If it snows, there is of course only one option: outside to throw snowballs and build snowmen!
Indoor activities
If the weather is bad, don’t worry. There are plenty of fun, free things to do indoors too. You will find more play tips on the back of our Mytimingcards:
Take a trial lesson. A trial lesson is an easy and cheap way to try out a new sport. Who knows, your child may soon be on skates or on a cool snowboard;
Cupcakes, cakes and biscuits: who doesn’t love them? The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to bake together. How about a Christmas stollen? Or baking biscuits? In the shape of a star or a Christmas tree, of course;
Watch a film. Everyone on the sofa, curtains closed, a bowl of popcorn at hand and a lovely Christmas film on. The ultimate free indoor activity during the Christmas holidays;
Crafts. If you search Pinterest for ‘crafts’, ‘Christmas’ and ‘kids’, for example, you will find lots of fun Christmas craft ideas;
Tidy up the toys. A useful and educational activity. And handy for you, with all the new toys they will be getting in December. Go through all their toys together with your child(ren). Have they grown tired of some things? What do they no longer play with? What can go? You can explain that some children don’t have as many toys and are very happy with something new to play with. Then take the toys that can go to a toy bank or charity shop near you.
Gather all the cushions in the house and have a pillow fight.
Organise a games afternoon with friends: who will win?
Pyjama day! Simply doing nothing for a day and hopping around in your pyjamas can be great fun sometimes
Christmas holiday planning
So there are plenty of fun, free activities to do during the Christmas holidays. It can be handy to make an activity plan for each day. That way your children also know right away where they stand. And don’t forget to relax together and recover from the past year!
Have a wonderful Christmas holiday!
Source: Squala.nl
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