Christmas is nearly here! It’s a particularly exciting time for kids, but can be a particularly taxing time for parents. If it’s holiday activities you’re after, here’s Rebecca Welton’s run-down of just a few Christmassy things to do with the kids around the area.

 

 

1.     Head to Winchester for a wintry wonderland at the Christmas Market

With more than 100 Christmas Market chalets, packed full of gifts, crafts, delicious food and decorations galore, this Christmas market is a wintry wonderland for all the family.

While there, why not strap on some ice-skates and have a go on the outdoor ice-skating rink:

Ice-skating

20 Nov - 21 Dec, £9.50 adult. £5 - £7.50 child

2.     Get cracking with the Nutcracker at Mottisfont

Adventure round the house and grounds with the interactive trail, and watch as the story unfolds through mechanical toys, lantern theatre, puppets, sound and film. With additional activities for younger children – from making their own Nutcracker, to creating sweets for Mother Ginger’s tree.

29 Nov – 4 Jan, trail starts from 11am, £1 suggested donation

Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy

Finished the trail? Why not visit the Land of Sweets and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy in person.

6 – 7 Dec, 12pm to 4pm

3.     Want to really get your little ones in the mood? Visit Royal Victoria Park, where there’s a bundle of festivities to keep them entertained and excited this Christmas

Christmas Tree Festival

Visit a magical woodland world.

13-21 Dec, £2 adult, £1 child, under-3s are free

Santa’s Grotto

13-14 and 20-21 Dec, £5 per child

Santa Special Steam Train

£12 per person, including entry to Grotto

Indoor Skating Rink at the Chapel

13 Dec to 4 Jan (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day), £5

4.     Enjoy Christmas in the park at Itchen Valley

Wreath Workshop

All materials are provided to make the perfect wintry wreath, plus mince pies and mulled wine. Aged 10+

13 Dec, 11am to 1pm or 2pm to 4pm

£8 per person. Booking essential: contact: 023 8047 5080

Christmas Parties

Games, trails, singing and Christmassy activities round the campfire. With mulled wine and mince pies for adults, and nibbles and hot chocolate for the children. Aged 2 to 5 years.

15, 16, 17 Dec, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, £4 per child

 

 

5.     Put your hunting caps on for the Great Bauble Hunt at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Linked to this year’s Mayflower pantomime, Cinderella, this bauble hunt will get your children searching high and low. Come and see how many you can find.

13 Dec – 4 Jan, £2.50 per child

6.     Need a respite from the crowds this Christmas? Don’t miss the chance to relax and unwind with the Family Christmas Concert at St Andrew’s Church

Located on The Avenue, St Andrew’s Church is hosting the Southampton Concert Wind Band with special guests from St Anne’s School Choir. Prepare to be delighted with music from ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’, plus the classic favourite ‘White Christmas’.

13 Dec, 3pm, £6 adult, children are free

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book tickets, or buy on the door

7.     No snow yet? Fear not! Get yourself down to the SeaCity Museum for a reading of ‘The Snowman’ to get you in the festive mood

Listen to Raymond Brigg’s ‘The Snowman’, before indulging your inner artist and making your own clay snowman.

13 Dec, 10am to 12pm or 1pm to 3pm

£5; pre-booking advised.

8.     Meet Santa in the Ice Palace, at West Quay shopping centre

Santa will be visiting the magical ice palace, and children can see Santa for free and receive a free gift.

From 13 Dec, Free

9.     Christmas not Christmas without your favourite festive films? Come along to the ‘Filmiest Christmas Ever’ at Brunswick Square

Hijack Cinema are doing what they do best – hijacking buildings and putting on a festive film extravaganza. This December they have taken over 1865 Brunswick Square, and with the latest wireless headphones and a large crystal-clear screen, why not bring the kids along to enjoy cinema in unusual places! All screenings starting at 7pm (doors open at 6.30pm), £8.60 per person.

13 Dec - Elf

14 Dec - Home Alone

15 Dec - Frozen

16 Dec - Bad Santa

17 Dec - The Grinch

18 Dec - Jingle All The Way

10.  Tune up your singing voices! O Come All Ye Portswood is your chance to sing Christmas Carols on the Recreation Ground

A free community Carol singing event - so wrap up, bring friends (and a torch), and enjoy candles, glow sticks, mince pies and hot chocolate. You can vote for your favourite carol here, with a count-down of the top ten at the event.

14 Dec, 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Free

11.  Feeling crafty? Pop along to free Christmas craft sessions at local libraries

Come along to Cobbett Road Library in Bitterne Park and get creative making snowy Christmas cards for friends and family. 4-10 years, on 20 Dec, 10.30am to 12pm

At Portswood Library there’s the chance to Make a jolly Santa on Saturday 13 December, while you can make Christmas decorations on Friday 12 December from 2 - 4.30pm at Burgess Road Library (all ages welcome). There are other Christmas activities at libraries across the city.

12.  Get set for fun-filled days with the Christmas Holiday Club at Chamberlayne Leisure centre

The Holiday Club is back, and with sports, arts and crafts, plus bouncy castles, your little ones won’t want to come home! Aged 5 to 13 years.

22 and 23 Dec, 8.30am to 5.30pm

Approx. £20 per day per child

13.  Longing for creative crafts? Come along to the Southampton City Art Gallery, and decorate a Christmas stocking

To get you in the right mood, listen to the brilliant book, ‘A Christmas Stocking Story’, by Hillary Knight, and then get creative with your stocking decorations! Aged 4 +

22 Dec, 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm, £6

Pre-book on 023 8083 4536

 14.  Need a bit of drama in your life? Stage Kidz’s Christmas Fun Day is the perfect way for children to sing and dance to Christmas classics and frozen favourites

Held at Wildern School, Hedge End, little actors will have a merry day learning songs and dance routines to then show parents when they come to pick them up. Aged 4 to 13 (years grouped accordingly).

 22 Dec, 10am to 3pm

£15 per child, please pre-book by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 07929 095405

For more information, see here.

• Don’t forget there’s also a range of family activities organised by local traders at Bitterne Park Triangle on December 20, including Christmas gifts, living nativity, Santa's Grotto and more. Full details are here.

Rebecca Welton

Photo of ice-skater by Benson Kua (Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic)
Photo of Baubles by Alan Cleaver (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Photo of Snowman by Heather Sunderland. (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Photo of Christmas stockingsby Andrew Malone. (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)