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Christmas activities for children in 2024
November has only just begun, but we're sure that many of you are already counting down to Christmas. It's time to plan activities with the kids for the next two months.
In this article, we share ideas and suggestions for Christmas activities for children's entertainment and education.
Get the little ones to help with the Christmas decorations
We know it can be a bit chaotic having children around when we're decorating the house for Christmas. However, involving the little ones in the task can turn the moment into a fun and memorable activity.
By letting children participate in the dynamics, you're stimulating creativity and creating great memories of family moments. Save these activities:
Assembling the Christmas tree: Let the children choose and hang the decorations, creating a unique tree full of meaning.
Creating their own decorations: Why not encourage them to create unique decorative pieces? They can use recyclable materials or other stray items from home to make personalized ornaments that the children can paint and decorate.
Make personalized Christmas cards: Teach the children how to make and personalize cards to send to friends and family.
Building a nativity scene: If you have a nativity scene, put it together with the children's help. If you don't have one, create one from scratch using the materials you have at home. Follow the activity by telling the Christmas story.
Christmas activities for children: the magic of Santa Claus
For those of you who still have kids at home who believe in the magic of Santa Claus, this is the perfect time to create unforgettable memories. These activities also offer educational opportunities that help children learn while having fun:
Take a look at some Christmas activities for early childhood education:
Writing the letter to Santa: Encourage children to express their wishes and practice writing in a fun way. This activity not only stimulates creativity, but also develops communication skills and the ability to organize thoughts.
Visit to Santa Claus: Provide an experience full of magic and take the little ones to visit Santa Claus. To make the visit more educational, talk about the history of Santa Claus, his origins and how different cultures celebrate Christmas. This promotes cultural understanding and the importance of celebrating traditions.
Preparing cookies for Christmas Eve: This is a fun way to teach about cooking and sharing. You can use the occasion to teach math, how to measure ingredients and follow a recipe. Talk about the importance of generosity when leaving cookies for Santa. You can also introduce discussions about altruism and the joy of sharing.
Christmas Markets and Events
At this time of year, Portugal's cities also come alive with festive markets and events with a magical atmosphere. Events that offer an immersive experience combining tradition, culture and fun for all the family.
In Lisbon, Wonderland Lisboa and the Rossio Christmas Market stand out, full of lights and Christmas cheer. At Wonderland there's an ice rink, a Ferris wheel and lots of activities for the little ones. At the Rossio Christmas Market, you can expect traditional cuisine and hot drinks typical of Christmas, handicrafts and musical shows that enliven the whole market.
Take the opportunity to browse the Avenida da Liberdade shop windows, full of color and light.
In the North, consider these and many other markets:
In Porto, the Christmas Market (in Jardim João Chagas) takes place between November 30 and December 23.
Also in Porto, the Praça da Batalha Market. A market between November 29 and December 29, where you can find stalls selling handicrafts, fashion, jewellery, toys and food.
In Coimbra, the Christmas Market transforms the city into a festival full of charm between November 29 and December 22. The market takes place in Praça do Comércio.
Let's not forget the Óbidos Christmas Market, from December 6 to January 6. This event transforms the town into an authentic Christmas village. Children can enjoy enchanting experiences, including sleigh rides and the famous ice rink.
These kinds of events are a valuable opportunity to teach about crafts, gastronomy and the country's cultural diversity, stimulating curiosity and respect for traditions, as well as the importance of local commerce and sustainability.
What to do during the Christmas vacations?
The school Christmas break (between December 18, 2024 and January 2, 2025) is a headache for many. Whether you're entertaining the little ones or going on a family vacation, it takes planning and organization.
We have the options you need to deal with any of these situations!
Days full of activities
Take advantage of the ideas we've given you throughout this article and put some of them into practice. When you run out of creativity and, above all, time, Baby Sisters has weekly activity plans to keep the kids entertained.
Christmas vacations
We have babysitters available to go on vacation with your family. We'll entertain the children throughout the trip, help with baths, and look after them whether they're in the snow or elsewhere. Your dream vacation can be a reality!
We guarantee childcare during the vacations so that the whole family is entertained.
Book a babysitter for your vacation here.