Some well-deserved time off together is the best gift of all for any family this year. In fact, more than any pricey gifts, it is the prospect of a decent lie in or two and all the generations getting together that is really priceless.

Whether you spend Christmas at home or spring a special winter break this year, it is well worth having some fun activities and Christmas party games lined up. Here are some of our favourites for families, whether outdoors or indoors.

Make your own Christmas decorations  

One of the best ways of all to get kids joining in rather than going missing or making a mess is to get them making and decorating. The great thing about this activity is that all ages can contribute and work together, from toddlers to teenagers. There are plenty of easy to make Christmas decorations for kids too; try this gallery of Kids’ Crafts for literally dozens of Pinterest ideas.

For older kids, you could try ideas like upcycling and more skilled traditional crafts (here are some terrific examples of upcycling and crafty Christmas ideas).  Another classic “upcycle” trick is to cut up and adapt last year’s cards to make your own gift tags and decorations; it doesn’t cost a penny and works a treat!

Create a Unique Christmas wreath

Of course, aside from the craft shop or bottom drawer, some of the best Christmas decorations you’ll find are completely free. You can easily improvise with items like pinecones, holly leaves, old cards, toys and baubles (a glue gun works wonders if you want to create a real assortment of odds and ends. You could even get each family member to chip in and help or contribute an item or two to the wreath.

Click here for some cracking Christmas Wreath ideas (Image: Pinterest / Good Housekeeping).

The Great outdoors, Geocaching and Winter Activities in Norfolk

If you have been planning a family walk or day trip, now is the time to get out. With a good chance of snow in Norfolk and nationwide this year, that classic sledging trip or snowball fight might just be on!

However, even if there is no sign of a white Christmas, it’s still great to get out there. Nor is everything asleep or closed in the winter. Opportunities for birdwatching and sports like coarse fishing are still excellent in fact, as our recent blog post about winter activities in Norfolk reveals.

Last but not least, for youngsters glued to their new phone or tablet, geochaching is a great way to get them into the fresh air. A kind of digital treasure hunt, all you need is a free downloadable app to pick up clues and get on the hunt for secret locations (and it’s even more fun and challenging in the snow!). Also ideal to walk off a little indulgence.

Christmas Games for Kids & All Ages

If you have younger family members to keep happy, a handful of simple games can’t fail to keep them amused on the big day. So where could you start?

All ages like having a shake or feel of their presents to guess what they might be, so you could have a game of “Guess the Gift”. Or, better still, save this for the main event and collect a few random mystery items or stocking fillers to have a game of “guess what’s in the stocking”. Can the participants tell what each item is, by feeling it through the outside of the stocking or sack?  

Other classic kids Christmas games include Festive 20 Questions (guess the Christmas character using only “yes” or “no” answers). A Christmas treasure hunt also works with a hidden object such as the fairy from the top pf the Christmas tree and simple “hot” and “cold” clues.

For a little extra involvement, you could also assemble some other festive fun too, from guessing games through to Christmas target games. In fact, a festive target is a really clever way for canny parents to get kids throwing their wrapping into one neat place ready for recycling!

Christmas Games for Grownups

Naturally, if you have teenage kids or the little ones are in bed (chance would be a fine thing on Christmas Eve!), ‘tis also the season for some more grown up fun. Classics such as charades, Who Am I (aka “the Rizla/ Post-it Note Game) and quizzes are always a laugh. But what else might you try?

Christmas Truth and Lies can be especially hilarious. In this game, each player thinks of three presents. Two of these are real, and could be either the best or the worst Christmas gifts ever. A third, completely made up gift is then added for fun. Can the others tell which present is the porky pie?

Failing that, you could always indulge in Christmas Drinking Games. Whether this is to match up with particular keywords in the TV specials or Queens Speech, or your own rules, is up you. One great shout is a game of “Sticky Christmas” though, in which every partygoer is given some small stick-on decorations (mini baubles, bows, tags etc). For every one that remains undetected for an agreed time limit (say five minutes) a forfeit or swig of good cheer must be offered.

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Could you use some quality time away with the family in the coming weeks and months? Whether it's one of our special winter escapes in Norfolk, a half term or Easter break for 2018, we have great prices and lots of choice. Whether you prefer caravan touring, camping or your own holiday lodge or self-catering accommodation, we have just the answer for your next holiday.

Take a look at our current holiday accommodation and special packages for an excellent range of breaks and holiday deals in Norfolk for 2018!