Find Something They’ll Love (& Keep Them Busy Till Christmas)

We know the score. As the days grow shorter, school holidays loom ever closer and your workload inexplicably rockets, the words “I’m bored!” can fill your heart with dread – but help is at hand. 

We’ve put together a whole host of fun activity ideas for all ages, so you can keep the kids entertained all throughout December. 

Get arty (without getting glitter on the carpet)

Winter is a crafter’s dream, with so many activities inspired by nature, seasonal festivals and cultural traditions. But no parent wants to find themselves desperately searching for creative ways to remove glue and glitter from the carpet!

Art classes offer kids so much – way beyond giving them multiple opportunities to draw, paint, cut, stick and get creative with dough, clay and household junk. Arts and crafts activities can help children to:

• Make friends

• Develop motor skills

• Build confidence and patience

• Reinforce learning

• Enrich their mental health.  

In her article on Fostering Creativity, early childhood art specialist and author MaryAnn Kohl, says “creativity is as natural and necessary for children as fresh air and sunshine” – and you don’t have to be the next Da Vinci to benefit. As Kohl stresses, being arty “is not about doing something better than others – it is about thinking, exploring, discovering and imagining.”

We can help you find arts and crafts classes in your area – ranging from general art hubs to specialist clubs offering activities like pottery and animation. Check out some of our favourite reasons for finding a local children’s art club here. 

But if you fancy doing crafty stuff at home with the kids, sites like Mud&Bloom, In the Playroom and I Heart Arts n Crafts can show you how to create mini masterpieces including hand and footprint festive cards and paper plate Christmas characters (just remember to cover the carpet before you start).

Find your rhythm 

There’s something very special about watching your little one get lost in the rhythm of a song and instinctively moving to the beat. Kids are never too young to dance, and you can help them channel their creativity through dance classes for all ages and abilities.

Dance activities for babies and toddlers focus on developing balance, agility and coordination – the perfect foundations for more structured dance classes.

Ballet is ideal for girls and boys and most dance experts agree that the best age to start structured classes is four or five. 

According to The Child Development Institute, ballet helps young children learn to follow instructions and become more comfortable performing in front of others. It also keeps them active – which has all kinds of benefits for their mental and physical health.

We can help you find dance classes in your area ranging from baby bounce sessions to graded classes in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, street, contemporary and jazz. 

And if you fancy practising some ballet with the kids at home, this article from Dancewear Central shows you how to strike the perfect pose.

Burn off some energy

Sports are a surefire way to help the kids get fit, have fun, and stop them bouncing off the walls… Popular choices on Pebble are gymnastics, football and swimming.

You can start your kids swimming from a few months old, introduce them to football clubs from around two upwards, and begin gymnastics classes between the ages of three and five.

Activities can be done purely for pleasure or can be used to support new-found passions, with opportunities to progress through grades and compete in tournaments. Who knows, you may find you have an olympic champion in the making!

As with dance and art, sports activities can offer children a wealth of benefits for long-term physical and mental health. And swimming can save your child’s life.

Take a look at our sports activities in your area now.

Search Pebble for kids activities throughout the festive season

Enjoy the run-up to Christmas and use Pebble to find new things for the kids to try that will keep them entertained throughout the whole season. Happy holidays!