With just a few weeks left until the big day, you’re probably more than a little bit excited – we know we are! So, when you want your little one to join in the magic, our Christmas activities for babies are just the thing.
Our plans for festive family fun aren’t just for outdoors, though. We’ve also got some great ideas so you can stay inside and spend a cosy day with your baby at Christmas. Why not try them all?
Christmas Activities for Families with Babies
1) Meet Santa
Of course, at the top of our list of Christmas activities for toddlers is meeting Santa. Little ones love to meet the big man himself and find out they’re on his nice list. Some Santas are even kind enough to give out gifts! And even if you have a very young baby who doesn’t understand what meeting Santa is all about, you’ll cherish the memories (and pictures!) for years to come.
You can meet Santa at special events in local garden centres, supermarkets or on the high street – just look for his grotto.
2) Make Christmas Decorations
Homemade Christmas ornaments are really easy to make with your toddler, even if you don’t have a mini artist at home. From painted handprint trees (you can add on the baubles) to salt dough star ornaments (you do the baking part), festive crafts are one of the simplest Christmas activities for families. They make great keepsakes which can be used year after year, or even as presents for the grandparents.
3) Festive Photo Shoot
You’ll need to pop a mini Santa hat on your little one for this magical family Christmas activity. Arrange a few wrapped boxes, hang up some red and green bunting and then, once baby’s all dressed up, you can host your very own festive photo shoot. You could even print out the photographs and send them as Christmas cards to all your family and friends.
4) Winter Walks
If you want a Christmas activity that all the family can enjoy, why not go for a winter walk? Getting some festive fresh fair is good for both you and baby, so grab the pushchair, get wrapped up and head to your local park. Some parks even host free Christmas events at this time of year, like enchanted light shows. Baby will love looking up at all the glittering colours!
5) Festive Sensory Fun
Toddlers love sensory play, so why not make it magical with a Christmassy touch? All those old decorations you’ve had hidden away for the past year aren’t just useful for jazzing up the tree – you can also use them to make engaging sensory activities for little hands to hold. From jingling bells to sparkly baubles, older babies can enjoy experience the magic of Christmas through sensory fun.
6) Christmas Café Treats
We’re all a little lured by those cinnamon-spiced coffees and exciting shopping windows. But Christmas is an expensive time, especially if you’re on a baby budget, so you might be trying to avoid the high street. Though, you can still have a great time with your little one without spending a fortune. Take a trip round the high street, so baby can check out the colourful Christmas displays and see the bright street lights. Then, you can finish off in a café with a tasty mince pie!
7) Read Christmas Books
One of our favourite Christmas activities for toddlers is also one of the simplest – reading them a magical bedtime story. There are lots of Christmas books out there for children, so little ones can go on a festive adventure before they drift off to sleep. Even if you have a young baby who won’t understand the story, it’s still a good idea to read to them to develop their communication skills.
8) Snuggle Up in Cold Weather
If you’re snowed in or it’s simply too cold to go outside, take a break and snuggle up with your baby. Put on your pyjamas, pop on a Christmas film and take some time to chill out!