Things To Do This Xmas

🎉 The holidays are one of the special times of the year. They are filled with the chance to connect and create memories. Finding activities to do with the whole family can be a challenge, especially with all that you have to get done. Here are 5 fun and creative ways to enjoy Christmas as a family.

When you think of Christmas, a climbing trip to Rock Up may not be the first activity that springs to mind. Nevertheless, it’s an active way to bond as a family. Head to one of our centres to get the whole family busy moving and working together. Plus, there’s a lot of cheering and encouragement going on too!

Climbing is not just a physical exertion, but a mental one too. Families may work with each other to have the best route-planning, support and motivation, and celebrate victories, even small ones.  This is a good activity to do with older kids or teens. Younger children can also get involved with our Toddler Climb & Soft Play sessions.

Don’t forget to wear suitable clothing, that means something you can easily move around in & closed-toed shoes!.  Also, remember to take a loot at our cafe to stock up on refreshments & food to fuel your adventure!

No holiday season is complete without cozy movie nights, and Christmas is the perfect time to share some of your favorite films with your family. Whether you’re into classic movies like Home Alone, Elf, and The Polar Express, or prefer more modern tales such as Klaus and The Christmas Chronicles, there’s something magical about watching holiday movies together.

Create a movie night ritual by making a cozy viewing space with blankets, bean bags, and dim lighting. Prepare some popcorn, hot chocolate, and holiday-themed snacks like peppermint bark or candy canes. Let everyone vote on the movie choices so everyone gets to enjoy their favorites. Add a twist by having a themed movie marathon, like animated Christmas films or Christmas comedies.

Tip: Plan a family movie night at least once a week throughout the holiday season. You’ll have a lot to look forward to, and it’s a great way to spend time together without the pressure of a full day of activities.

Sometimes the simplest activities are the most fun, and a trip to our soft play centre is perfect for families with younger kids. Soft play areas are designed with safety in mind and feature climbing structures, slides, ball pits, and obstacle courses, making them the perfect place for kids to burn off energy.

A visit to one of our soft play areas can be especially festive if you tie it in with your Xmas shopping! Give the kids a break from shopping with a quick playtime to burn off all their pent-up energy. While the kids enjoy running and climbing, parents can join in the fun or relax with a cup of coffee from the café while watching their children play.

Tip: Plan your visit during quieter times of the day to avoid crowds and ensure your family can move around freely. Don't forget to bring socks, as they’re usually required to enter these facilities!

Baking is an age-old Christmas tradition that never fails to bring people together. Whether you’re making classic sugar cookies or trying something new like gingerbread or snickerdoodles, the act of baking is a sensory experience that engages the whole family. Kids will love helping to measure ingredients, stir the dough, and, of course, decorate the cookies with icing and sprinkles.

Turn the baking session into a mini event by making it a competition to see who can decorate the best cookie, or work as a team to create festive shapes like Christmas trees, snowmen, or stars. To make it even more special, wrap up the cookies in gift boxes or holiday tins and share them with friends and neighbors.

Tip: Use cookie cutters in different festive shapes for more fun and consider making a batch of gluten-free or allergy-friendly cookies to ensure everyone can join in.

Crafting Christmas cards is a fantastic way to get creative and spread holiday cheer. You don’t need to be an expert artist to create beautiful and heartfelt cards; you just need a few supplies like coloured paper, markers, stamps, stickers, and glitter.

Set up a crafting station with all the supplies within reach and let everyone’s imagination run wild. You can create simple designs or make more intricate cards with layered paper and decorative embellishments. This is an excellent way for kids to practice their writing skills as they write personal messages inside, and it gives everyone a chance to tap into their artistic side.

Once the cards are ready, send them to family members, friends, or even people in your community who might need a little extra holiday cheer, like residents of nursing homes or hospital patients.

Tip: Include family photos on the cards for a personal touch, and don’t forget to set up a space for drying any wet glue or paint to avoid smudges.