Top 10 cheap Christmas activities for kids!

by Alison Hunt on 13 December 2011  |  3 comments
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Have fun with the kids on a budget - find out how they can make decorations, knit teddy bears, make gifts such as chocolate truffles, or even visit Father Christmas (and receive a gift) for free!

If your family is suffering the effect of the credit crunch, spending hundreds on frivolous festive luxuries is out of the question - but of course, no one wants the kids to suffer.

But the good news is, if you've got the time and inclination, there are loads of fantastic activities and events on all over the country to entertain the kids that are free, or cost very little.

So check out my favourite ideas below - and save a bundle this Christmas:

1. Visit Father Christmas

Most kids love the annual tradition of visiting Father Christmas, but at a fiver a pop (and sometimes as much as £15) this can be frighteningly expensive, especially if you have more than one child.

The good news is there are a number of men in red appearing at shopping centres all over the country that can be visited for absolutely nothing, with some even giving free gifts!

Pre-book your free place to see Father Christmas if you live near Bluewater, for example, or check out your local shopping centre's website.

Top tip: If you can visit Father Christmas for free, with the only charge being made for a gift, simply bring your own pre-wrapped small gift and give it to your child (from Santa!) once the visit is over.

2. Local Events

There are loads of fantastic festive events all over the country that are absolutely free.

Check out your local council, or the Families or Kidsguide websites to find out what's on locally. And if you sign up to your local Netmums group you can see the events local mums have listed - many of which may not be advertised elsewhere.

For example, in Manchester you can check out Charlie & Lola's Best Bestest Play at the Waterside Arts Centre between 13th December and 1st January, while in Edinburgh you can make Christmas lanterns and at the Natural History Museum in Tring, Hertfordshire, you can make Christmas tree pinecone robins or pick up a fingerpuppet!

3. Decorations

For a quieter activity, why not get the kids to make some festive decorations?

Print and colour these ideas from CBeebies, or get your kids making their own Christmas ornaments.

Or why not bake and decorate your own delicious edible decorations - I definitely plan to help my children make some of these.

4. Surestart Children's Centres and Playgroups

Local weekly playgroups can be a great source for free activities for pre-schoolers - check out Netmums or contact your health visitor to find out where and when your local group meets.

And don't forget your Surestart Children's centre - these government-run venues offer free or heavily subsidised courses and activities for children each week. Find your local Surestart centre.

5. Library

If you're not yet a member of your local library you're missing a trick. Apart from the weekly story telling and Rhymetimes many libraries will be holding festive fun days with face painting, games and craft activities in December - and all for free.

Check out your council's website to see what's on at your library.

6. Make presents

Why not encourage your kids to make their gifts this year instead?

If they enjoy cooking they could make delicious chocolate truffles, vanilla fudge or even mini Christmas cakes as well as make and decorate pretty boxes to present them in.

Older children could try their hand at knitting teddy bears, making festive Christmas dishes or even have a bit of fun and try crocheting a designer handbag for a friend?

Or they could get busy with the printer and fill an inexpensive photo album with pics of themselves from birth onwards - sure to be a hit with doting grandparents.

7. Christmas letters

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the annual letter writing to the man himself - post it to this address by 14th December and you should hopefully receive a reply.

Santa/Father Christmas,

Santa's Grotto,

Reindeerland,

SAN TA1

8. Winter Wonderland

If you live in London, check out the fabulous Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

Boasting an Observation Wheel, ice rink and rides for the kids, entry is absolutely free.

9. Theatre

One thing I'm shocked by is how expensive taking a family to see a humble panto can be. With tickets for some performances at £22+ per person, a family of four could find themselves nearly £90 lighter after booking - yikes!

Instead, ask in smaller venues about lesser-advertised Christmas plays and shows - with tickets starting at a far more reasonable £6 a head your wallet should certainly feel a bit heavier!

10. Where is he?

And finally, my favourite free tip needs to be saved until Christmas Eve.

Log into the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) website and you'll be able to track Father Christmas as he leaves the North Pole and makes his way to chimneys all over the world!

Happy moneysaving!

This is a lovemoney.com classic article, updated for 2011.

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