Fun and Festive Ideas to Do with Toddlers Over the Christmas Period

 The Christmas season is a magical time, especially for little ones. Toddlers thrive on hands-on activities and sensory experiences, so Christmas provides the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories. Here’s a list of creative, fun, and simple ideas to keep your toddler entertained this Christmas.

 1. DIY Christmas Ornaments

 Toddlers love to get messy, and creating their own ornaments is a fun way to involve them in decorating the tree.

What to do:

   •      Use salt dough or air-dry clay to make ornaments.

   •      Let them paint or decorate with glitter, stickers, or non-toxic markers.

   •      Write the year on the back to create a keepsake.

 2. Christmas Sensory Bins

A sensory bin is a great way to let toddlers explore textures and colors.

How to create one:

   •      Fill a shallow box with cotton balls (snow if they are no longer putting things in their mouths), or use coconut for a taste safe option. Add plastic polar animals, fabrics or giant pom poms.

   •      Add scoops, tongs, and small containers for them to manipulate.

 3. Baking Together

 Little hands love helping in the kitchen, and Christmas baking is a treat for the senses!

Toddler-friendly tasks:

   •      Rolling out cookie dough.

   •      Using cookie cutters to make festive shapes.

   •      Decorating cookies with icing and sprinkles (messy but fun!).

 4. Toddler Christmas Crafts

 Keep it simple experimenting with different materials including tissue papers, coloured paper, crayons, paints and experiment with different resources you can find around the house. Use sponges, cones, leaves to mark make.

 5. Christmas Light Walks

 Bundle up your toddler and take an evening walk to see the Christmas lights in your area. Bring a warm drink or a special treat for extra fun!

 6. Build a Gingerbread House

 This is a classic holiday activity, but you can simplify it for toddlers by using or pre-made kits. Let them “decorate” with soft sweets and icing.

 7. Read Christmas Books

 Set up a cozy reading corner with holiday-themed books. Some toddler favorites include:

   •      The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

   •      Dear Santa by Rod Campbell.

   •      That’s Not My Snowman by Fiona Watt.

 8. Watch Toddler-Friendly Christmas Movies

 Snuggle up with hot chocolate and enjoy short, age-appropriate Christmas classics like:

   •      The Snowman

   •      Peppa Pig’s Christmas

   •      Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas

 9. Play in ‘Fake Snow’

 If you don’t have snow, create your own!

How to make:

   •      Mix baking soda and shaving cream for a cool, moldable snow substitute. Cooked flour and vegetable oil make a lovely texture for a taste safe snow.

   •      Add toy snowmen or animals for imaginative play.

 10. Sing Christmas Songs and Dance

Put on some festive tunes like Jingle Bells or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and have a mini dance party.

 11. Create a Christmas Countdown

 Make a simple advent calendar with your toddler using envelopes or paper bags. Fill each day with toddler-friendly treats or activities, like stickers or a Christmas story to read.

 12. Visit Santa (or a Virtual Santa Experience)

 If your toddler is comfortable, visit Santa in person for a chat.

13. Decorate a Mini Christmas Tree

 Give your toddler their very own tree to decorate. Use soft, shatterproof ornaments and let them have fun rearranging it as much as they like.

 14. Winter Nature Walk and Craft

 Take a walk to collect pinecones, sticks, and leaves. Use them to create simple decorations like pinecone ornaments or stick stars.

 15. Build a Blanket Fort and Pretend It’s Santa’s Workshop

 Turn your living room into a magical play space by building a fort with blankets and pillows. Pretend it’s Santa’s workshop and let your toddler “help” make toys.

 16. Ice Painting

 Freeze water with food coloring in ice cube trays and let toddlers paint on paper with the colorful ice cubes. It’s a simple winter-themed craft.

 17. Toddler-Friendly Acts of Kindness

 Teach the spirit of giving by doing something kind together:

   •      Make cards for neighbours or family.

   •      Deliver treats to friends.

   •      Donate toys or clothes to charity.

 18. Reindeer Food and Santa Cookies

 Prepare for Christmas Eve by making “reindeer food” (oats and glitter) to sprinkle outside and baking cookies for Santa. Your toddler will love being part of the magic.

Christmas with toddlers is all about enjoying the little moments. These activities are designed to spark joy and create a festive atmosphere without too much stress. Remember, the best part of the holidays is spending time together!

 Happy Christmas