Spending Christmas at home with the family or going out for a festive break? Here’s our round-up of Christmas family entertainment ideas to get you started!
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Prices correct at time of writing.
TOP TECH-TASTIC
THE LET’S EXPLORE: OCEANS MEGA PACK
Looking for an extraordinary gift for kids and all the family?
This fun and educational Virtual Reality pack unlocks the secrets of the oceans (getting you close to sharks and whales!) in the ultimate underwater immersive adventure. Explore, learn and discover the oceans like never before with amazing VR adventures and thrilling AR (augmented reality) experiences powered by your smartphone.
Emmy award-winning directors, cinematographers, underwater VR camera specialists and computer graphic artists, together with world-renowned marine biologists, conservation experts and other scientists, have circumnavigated the globe and the far recesses of their imaginations to produce some of the most magical and exciting underwater experiences ever created.
Together, with the single goal of bringing ocean enthusiasts closer to these amazing creatures than ever before in their natural environments, these professionals have created experiences and stories that last a lifetime.
Ideal entertainment for the family. Featured in National Geographic Kids, The Week Junior & The Beano.
Price: £79.99 includes VR/AR Googles, Holographic Explorer Cube, 36 Page Hardback Book Quick Start Guide, from letsexplore.com
TRADITIONAL STYLE GAMES
MINCE SPIES GAME
Liven up your dining table during the festive period with this hilarious Mince Spies Dinner Party Game.
The set includes 18 mince pie-shaped coasters, each featuring a secret spy mission. Examples include: ’Your Mission: Take selfies with other people, but only include yourself in the picture’; ‘Steal some food from the plate of at least two people around the table’ and ‘Separately tell three people which animal they remind you of and why’. Can you complete your mission and remain undiscovered?
Price: £7.99 from iwantoneofthose.com
JAMES BOND BINGO: THE HIGH-STAKES 007 GAME
The stakes are high and the martinis dry in this must-have game for all James Bond aficionados, featuring six 007s and the most memorable arch-enemies of the iconic spy.
The name is Bond. Bond Bingo.
Grab Q’s gadgets and rev up the Aston Martin DB5 in readiness for a high-stakes game. Featuring 64 characters and curiosities from the world’s most famous movie franchise – including six 007s, his most iconic nemeses, and his most innovative cars and devices – this is the ultimate gift for Bond fans.
Snatch victory from the jaws of Jaws and win bigger than Le Chiffre! Be the first to fill your bingo card and shout SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED! to win.
Price: £24.99 from Waterstones.
LUXURY TRAVEL BACKGAMMON SET
For families serious about their Christmas games, Aspinal of London offers a luxury range of traditional favourites including Scrabble and Monopoly.
To take a break from technology and entertain yourself and your friends wherever you are, these beautiful leather travel back gammon sets are handmade with the finest calf leather in a variety of signature finishes.
When not in use these complete travel backgammon sets simply roll up and are secured by a removable leather strap and buckle. Inside, the board has contrasting leather points and contrasting stitching, and the checkers and dice are stowed in a round leather case at the side.
Price: £395 from Aspinal of London.
PUZZLES
RAVENSBURGER CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR WORLD OF CREATIVITY
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with this Ravensburger World of Creativity advent calendar.
There are 24 daily activities for you to open and explore in the run-up to Christmas, including 3D puzzles, stickers and more. Create your own Christmas fun with Ravensburger!
Price: £14.99 (Regular price £24.99) from Maquio.
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS
An alternative to an advent calendar with 24 Christmas craft activities. Packed with simple craft and cooking activities with a Christmassy theme, using things you’ll easily find to hand about the house. Make everything from garlands and gift tags to reindeer snacks and wrapping paper.
Countdown to Christmas Paperback edition by James Maclaine
Price: £6.62 + FREE delivery from Wordery.
CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES & MINI-BREAKS
ALL-INCLUSIVE CHRISTMAS BREAKS
Take the stress out of Christmas and take your family for a festive break in one of the Warner Leisure Hotels throughout England, Wales and the Isle of Wight.
Three- or four-night stays, starting 23 December 2022*, include champion breakfasts, lunches and three-course evening dining that showcase festive fayre (yes, we’re talking turkey!).
By day, feel-good movies, afternoon cabarets, quizzes and, of course, panto keep it traditional – Little Red Riding Hood and a Big Bad Wolf are ready and waiting.
The UK’s most talented acts and tributes bring music and laughs every night. There are shows from the Warner Production Team and with fairy lights, Christmas trees and fireworks, who couldn’t feel as jolly as Santa himself (and yes, the big man in red is due a visit).
Price: from £559 per person, see www.warnerleisurehotels.co.uk
**Studley Castle and Heythrop Park include breakfast and three-course dining (half board).
ALTON TOWERS CHRISTMAS ENTRY
Plan a special trip for all the family, for Christmas or 2022. AttractionTix is a trusted supplier of tickets for attractions, theme parks and tours – founded in 2006.
Renowned for ground-breaking, World-first rollercoasters and home to a fantastical combination of rides, attractions and live shows for thrill-seekers, families and kids of all ages, Alton Towers makes a great day out for Christmas or into 2023.
With your Christmas entry:
- Experience fun-packed live entertainment and a whole host of family rides and attractions across three fantastical themed Lands.
- Explore the enchanting Christmas Market
- Enjoy seasonal live entertainment from the bandstand stage.
For thrill seekers, Alton Towers’ rides and attractions include seven world-class rollercoasters; while for those with little ones in tow, CBeebies Land is the perfect place to explore and meet some of your favourite CBeebies friends including the Teletubbies, Peter Rabbit™ and Postman Pat.
Families can also discover Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE, learn to drive at Cuckoo Cars Driving School, catch the Runaway Mine Train or enjoy the spins and thrills on Spinball Whizzer!
Plus, the Alton Towers Dungeon is a hilariously hideous journey through Staffordshire’s darkest history. You’ll be screaming with laughter whilst being sentenced by the Bishop of Stafford, before being condemned to a traitor’s boat ride down the Black River.
AttractionTix serves millions of people across the globe, and is an official partner of Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. Their focus is on outstanding customer support, excellent value for money, and making it easy to buy advanced tickets that will guarantee hassle-free access to your favourite parks and destinations. Everything they offer – from tickets to Disneyland Paris through to Siam Park and Loro Parque – is handpicked to ensure your trip is fun, memorable, and great value for money.
Price: from £30 from Attractiontix.co.uk
Karen can usually be found glued to her computer or at the stables. Having edited several national magazines she co-founded Eclipse Magazine in 2008 after realising that many of her friends were nervous about going racing due to lack of information – what to wear, how to bet etc.
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