12 Christmas Crackers
Let’s be honest, it’s been a bit of a strange year - what better way to end on a high than by really embracing Christmas!
⠀
Have you wondered how to best get into the spirit of Christmas this year? Don’t worry, we have you covered!⠀
⠀
In the spirit of the 12 days of Christmas, over on our Instagram account we will be bringing you “12 Christmas Crackers” across December with ideas for fun activities to do with your children.⠀
⠀
We hope you enjoy them! 💚⠀#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀
You can find the links below as they are uploaded:
Learn the dance!
Did you know 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' has actions? Well, our very own MAHM Committee Member, Becca Woollgar, does and over on Instagram she’s going to teach you!
Children love dancing - learn the dance moves together! Do you have a budding performer? Perhaps they can perform their dance to an audience of their favourite cuddly toys? Or share their dance with family at Christmas?
Tip: Is your child learning to count? Use this as an opportunity to practice. You could draw 5 gold rings and count them!
Don't forget to tag us in your own shared videos. 😊 We can't wait to see them! #MAHM12ChristmasCrackers
Make a Christmas card!
It’s the season of giving! So why not make some homemade Christmas cards to send to family, or to your child’s friends? All you need is some paper and either pens, crayons or paints to decorate.⠀
⠀
Pop across to Instagram to see Emilia’s efforts!⠀
⠀
Tip: Children love choice! If your child is older, let them lead on the design or cut out some shapes. If they are younger, let them choose the colours.
Don't forget to tag us; we can't wait to see your creations! #MAHM12ChristmasCrackers
Christmas Cookies!
You could bring the smell of gingerbread into your home by making some gingerbread cookies with your children - go to our Instagram page and swipe to see @catwilder and her little one. If baking isn’t your thing, or your children are too young, you could buy ready made gingerbread to decorate, or go full make-believe and make play doh cookies like @kateokunola and her beautiful son! ⠀
⠀
Tip: Help develop your children’s language skills describe what you are doing - the colours, the textures and if you are baking, the lovely smells! ⠀
⠀
We’d love to see you and your budding little chefs, so remember to tag us in your Christmas cookie photos. #MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀
⠀
Christmas Wreath!
Christmas isn’t complete without a wreath! All you need is some cardboard, or something like a paper plate cut into the shape of a ring, plus a small bit of string to hang it. You can choose to decorate however you like but here are a few ideas - pom-poms, bits of colour paper cut into circles/leaves, or scrunched up crepe/tissue paper. ⠀
⠀
Swipe across on our Instagram page to see our member @jennywizz and her lovely daughter Alice making their wreath using cardboard, paint and tissue paper.
Tip: If your child is old enough this could be a good activity for practicing their cutting skills. If not, you can do the cutting upfront. ⠀
⠀
Fancy showing us your beautiful creations? Don’t forget to tag us so we can see them.
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀
⠀
Decorate the tree!
Tree decorating - one of the best known Christmas activities! Let your children help you decorate your tree like @catwilder and her adorable little girl!
Or if you are a bit over protective of bauble positions like @laurenamylewis you can buy a felt Christmas tree and decorations online for under £5! Emilia really enjoyed decorating her own tree! Swipe across on on our Instagram page to see the children in action.
⠀
Tip: Use a foot stool to help little ones reach! Don’t forget to take the opportunity to describe and discuss colours, objects and textures! ⠀⠀
⠀
Tag us in your Christmas tree snaps - we’d love to see how creative you’ve been!
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀
Let it snow!
We aren’t guaranteed a white Christmas, so crafted snowflakes is often the closest you’ll get! All you need is some paper and scissors!⠀
⠀
For some really useful instructions on how to fold the paper, The National Trust has some brilliant directions on their website.
To decorate you can use pens, crayons or paints. And you can also use the snowflakes to make patterns on paper for Christmas cards! A double whammy of a craft! ⠀
⠀
Swipe across on on our Instagram page to see @laurenamylewis and her daughter Emilia’s efforts, along with snowflakes from our other MAHM members and their kids.⠀
⠀
Tip: If your child is old enough, this could be a good activity for practicing their cutting skills. If not, you can do the cutting upfront and focus on the decorating.⠀
⠀⠀
We’d love to see your beautiful snowflake creations - tag us so we can share to our stories.
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers
Sleigh ride!
Imagination is a huge part of the festive period - and imaginative play is great for developing social, problem-solving and language skills. ⠀
⠀
Wrap this up with the opportunity to craft too - and you’ve got yourself a brilliant Christmas activity! ⠀
⠀
You’ll need a cardboard box (probably no shortage of those around this time of year!) You can cut and decorate it to resemble a sleigh, or just leave as is and let the imagination run wild! Grab a dressing gown belt and hand that to your children for “reigns” - if you have a toy reindeer or horse, you could put these in front! Help them imagine they are Father Christmas on Christmas Eve!
Swipe across on on our Instagram page to see @kateokunola and her little one making their very own cereal box sleigh, and the lovely Theo playing with his sleigh pulled along by his soft toys!
⠀
Tip: If your children are old enough, leave them to it - it’s great to build their imagination! If your child needs help, try asking them questions to help stir the imagination - what do they think Santa may need to do? Does their reindeer/horse need food before they take off? ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
We’d love to see your homemade sleighs, so don’t forget to tag us.
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀⠀
Christmas bunting!
If you’re looking for something to decorate your home for Christmas - this is for you! Christmas bunting can be a fun way to get your children involved in the decoration. ⠀
⠀
You’ll need some paper (coloured paper is great but white works too), some string and sticky tape. Cut the paper into triangles, or something more festive like Christmas trees. You can paint, colour, use stickers or stamps to decorate. When you’ve finished and they are dry, space them out evenly and tape the string to the back.⠀
⠀
To decorate you can use pens, crayons or paints. ⠀
⠀
Swipe across on on our Instagram page to see @jennywizz and her daughter Alice’s beautiful Christmas bunting!⠀
⠀
Tip: Use the opportunity to talk to your child about shapes and colours. They may love to help you hang it afterwards. ⠀
Be sure to tag us and show off your festive bunting.
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers
Winter walks!
Currently winter walks outside are a bit of a necessity! You can help keep your children occupied by giving them a small bucket (or carry a bag) where they can put items they collect on your walk to decorate later.
⠀
Swipe across on on our Instagram page to see @laurenamylewis and her little girl Emilia who collected pine cones and painted them to use as Christmas decorations!⠀
⠀
Tip: This is a great opportunity to talk about textures, colours and smells.⠀
⠀
We’d love to see photos of you on your winter walks.
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀
Jingle Bells!
Need an excuse to play all those great Christmas songs? Well here it is!⠀
⠀
You’ll need some jingle bells or a shaker (pasta or rice in a plastic bottle works just as well!). Let your children play their instrument along with each song. Teach your children to stop playing when you pause the music!⠀
⠀
Swipe across on on our Instagram page to have a look at @catwilder and her little one playing jingle bells whilst they listen to their favourite Christmas tunes!⠀
⠀
Tip: If your child is on the move you can add in a running or dancing element to this - they need to stop on the spot when the music is paused!⠀
⠀
Tag us in your jingle bell pics to be featured on our stories.
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀⠀
Father Christmas!
Father Christmas, Santa, St. Nick - whatever you call him in your home, he usually has a red hat and a big white beard!
⠀
Today’s cracker is all about crafting Santa’s face! You can use a paper plate, or just draw a circle on some paper. Either cut out a shape of the hat from some red card, or help your little one draw and colour the hat. If you are feeling really creative, you can add googley eyes and a red bobble nose - but drawing these on works well too!⠀
⠀
Here comes the really fun bit.... stick cotton wool balls all around the bottom of this face for his beard and on his hat for the fur and bobble! If you have some string you can hang as a wall decoration, or pop on the windowsill.
⠀
Swipe across on on our Instagram page to see committee member @beccawoollgar and her gorgeous son Theo’s take on Santa’s face! ⠀
⠀
Tip: If your child is old enough, this could be a good activity for practicing their cutting skills for the hat. If not, you can do the cutting upfront. ⠀
⠀
We’d love to see photos of your Santa faces.
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀
⠀⠀
Story time!
Story time is probably a staple in most homes, but for this time of year it’s lovely to make it Christmassy! Pick your favourite Christmas book, snuggle up under a blanket and read with your child this Christmas Eve. ⠀
⠀
Swipe across on on our Instagram page to see a beautiful snap of @kateokunola and her lovely sons reading their Christmas book of choice!⠀
⠀
Tip: Children thrive on repetition, so reading the same book plenty of times over the festive period will be really beneficial for your little ones.⠀
⠀
Remember to tag us in your Christmas Eve snaps!
#MAHM12ChristmasCrackers⠀
⠀⠀