Six cheap activities to keep your kids happy in the run-up to Christmas
LOOKING for ways to keep the family entertained this week?
From outdoor adventures to creative at-home activities, we have ideas to help you enjoy quality time with loved ones before Christmas.
Here are our pick . . .
BURN OFF ENERGY: Junior Park Run is a free weekly 2km event for children aged four–14, promoting fitness and fun.
Register at parkrun.org.uk and enjoy the outdoor exercise together.
You can also volunteer, helping others while teaching your kids about community.
Find a local event on the parkrun.org.uk website and it could be the start of a new festive family tradition.
CACHE ’EM ALL: Geocaching is a treasure hunt using GPS coordinates to find hidden goodies.
Download the free Geocaching app, enter the cache coordinates, and follow the GPS to find the stashed treasure.
Sign the logbook, trade items and help clean up any litter.
GIVE BACK: Organise a toy donation drive with your kids by sorting through gently used toys or by buying affordable new ones to donate.
Drop them off at local charity shops or toy banks and see how your gifts can make a difference.
GET OUTDOORS: Get outside for a winter walk or explore nature trails in your area.
Many parks offer family-friendly trails with activities like wildlife spotting or scavenger hunts.
Make it a fun challenge by creating a winter bingo game to find pinecones, animal tracks, holly berries and more.
AT-HOME ACTIVITY: When the grim weather keeps you indoors, download free activity sheets from sites such as learningresources.co.uk.
From puzzles and colouring pages to fun STEM challenges, these printable activities will help keep your children entertained for hours.
CUTE CRAFTS: Check out the hobbycraft.co.uk Ideas Hub with a guide to more than 400 free craft projects, including 20 Christmas-themed activities for kids.
With simple step-by-step guides and just a few art box items, your youngsters can create paper plate angels or clay decorations.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of the day
GET the No7 Ultimate Beauty 9-piece gift set, usually £85, for £39 at Boots.
It includes six full-size and three travel-sized products and is worth £136 at full price.
SAVE: £46
Cheap treat
ADD a Mitre football to your kids’ festive prezzie pile.
It was £10.50 and is now £6.99 at Home Bargains.
SAVE: £3.51
What's new?
DON’T skip rymans.co.uk if you’re after gifts for a budding artist.
The sale includes amazing deals such as this 108-piece art set, usually £20, now £9.99.
Top swap
SERVE your festive fizz in these pretty champagne glasses – £16 for four from Habitat at argos.co.uk – or get the similar Sallskaplig set of four, at Ikea for £12.
Little helper
GET a year’s Spotify Premium subscription giftcard for £99 at amazon.co.uk.
An annual subscription would normally cost you £144, so this is a great way to trim the cost.
Shop & save
SPEND £45 and use your Morrisons More card to get 60 per cent off an XL 83-wash bottle of Comfort fabric conditioner – usually £4.75, now £2.
SAVE: £2.75
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