Little Hands, Big Fun: Creative Activities for Kids This Festive Season

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The festive season is a time for celebration, togetherness and a sprinkle of magic. But keeping little ones entertained while juggling holiday prep can be a challenge. The good news? With just a few household items and some imagination, you can set your kids up with activities that keep them engaged and independent, giving you a well-earned breather.

Here’s a list of easy, low-cost, and creative activities perfect for summer holidays.

1. DIY Nature Collages

What You’ll Need:

  • Paper or cardboard
  • Glue or tape
  • Nature treasures like leaves, flowers, and twigs

How It Works:
Send your kids on a mini adventure in the backyard or park to collect natural materials. Once they’re back, let them use glue or tape to arrange their treasures into creative shapes, like animals, trees or festive designs.

Why They’ll Love It:
Kids get to explore the outdoors and unleash their creativity, all while staying occupied for hours.

2. Festive Salt Dough Ornaments

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup salt
  • ½ cup water
  • Cookie cutters (optional)
  • Paint and a paintbrush

How It Works:
Mix the ingredients into a dough. Kids can shape it with their hands or use cookie cutters for festive shapes like stars or trees. Once dry (leave them in the sun or bake in the oven on a low heat, about 140°C), they can paint their creations to hang on the Christmas tree.

Why They’ll Love It:
This combines tactile fun with festive cheer, and they’ll feel proud to see their creations on display.

3. Backyard Obstacle Course

What You’ll Need:

  • Chairs, cushions, buckets and any other household items
  • String or tape (optional)

How It Works:
Help your kids set up a mini obstacle course using what you already have at home. Think crawling under chairs, hopping over cushions, moving through a maze of laser beams (string) or balancing on a “tightrope” made of tape.

Why They’ll Love It:
Kids get to burn off energy while using their problem-solving skills to design and navigate the course.

4. Homemade Festive Cards

What You’ll Need:

  • Paper
  • Crayons, markers or paint
  • Stickers, glitter or anything festive

How It Works:
Provide the kids with paper and art supplies to create their own holiday cards. Encourage them to draw festive themes like stars, snowmen or baubles. They can add their messages and even deliver the cards to family and friends.

Why They’ll Love It:
Kids get to spread festive joy while showing off their creative skills.

5. Ice Cream Sundae Station

What You’ll Need:

  • Ice cream
  • Toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips and fruit
  • Bowls and spoons

How It Works:
Set up a DIY sundae station where kids can create their own ice cream masterpieces. They’ll enjoy choosing their toppings and personalizing their treats.

Why They’ll Love It:
What’s better than ice cream on a hot summer day? A self-made sundae!

6. Outdoor Bubble Station

What You’ll Need:

  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Water
  • A small bowl or bucket
  • Bubble wands (or make your own with pipe cleaners or wire)

How It Works:
Mix dishwashing liquid with water in a container to create a bubble solution. Provide the kids with wands and let them blow bubbles or even compete to see who can make the biggest one.

Why They’ll Love It:
Bubbles are simple yet magical, and it keeps kids active outdoors.

7. Sponge Boats for Pool or Bathtub

What You’ll Need:

  • Sponges
  • Toothpicks
  • Paper or fabric for sails

How It Works:
Cut sponges into boat shapes, then create sails using toothpicks and paper or fabric. Kids can float their boats in the pool, bathtub or even a bucket of water.

Why They’ll Love It:
This hands-on activity combines crafting with water play, making it perfect for hot summer days.

8. Painted Rocks

What You’ll Need:

  • Smooth rocks
  • Paint or markers
  • Optional: clear varnish or sealant

How It Works:
Let kids gather smooth rocks from the garden or park, then decorate them with paint or markers. They can make animals, patterns or even festive designs. Seal them with varnish for durability.

Why They’ll Love It:
It’s a calming and creative activity, and the finished rocks can be used as decorations.

9. Scavenger Hunt Bingo

What You’ll Need:

  • Paper
  • Markers
  • A garden or safe outdoor area

How It Works:
Create bingo cards with items like “a red flower,” “a feather,” or “a shiny rock.” Give each child a card and see who can find all their items first.

Why They’ll Love It:
This combines adventure and discovery, and it’s easy to adapt to any setting.

10. Balloon Tennis

What You’ll Need:

  • Balloons
  • Paper plates
  • Sticks or rulers (for handles)

How It Works:
Create “tennis rackets” by attaching paper plates to sticks or rulers. Inflate a balloon, and let the kids play an indoor-friendly game of tennis.

Why They’ll Love It:
It’s active, hilarious and safe for indoor play

Keep Them Entertained, Keep Them Smiling

With these fun and creative activities, your kids will stay busy and happy all season long. The best part? They’ll be doing it all on their own, giving you time to relax and soak up the summer vibes.

So let their imaginations run wild, and watch as they make the most of the holidays with little hands and big fun!