What do you do with kids on Christmas day (if you don't travel or have a house full of people?)

[Anonymous]

We have 3 fairly high need kids...all under the age of 10 and none of them have any "chill".
We don't host family, nor do we travel. I feel like every year we are stressed and disappointed: kids misbehave, overwhelmed, tired...

Movies all day isn't practical. I also don't REALLY want it to be a regular day.
Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Maybe go out to the movies. Weather permitting go for long walks / Play in the snow.

You could also ask around and see if any local soup kitchens have volunteer opportunities.

[Anonymous]

I know a family that does family Olympics. Lots of different games or challenges for points and they have a trophy they keep all year.

[Anonymous]

They open their presents. They play with their presents. They play outside. At some point, the older one's friends become available and she talks on the phone. The little one usually plays with presents some more. We have dinner together.

It depends a lot on the age of your kids. Mine are 9 and 16. When they were little, DH and I had to be directly involved in all the activities above. Now, that is much less true.

[Anonymous]

We play with the games/toys they receive for Christmas, play outside. We have a big brunch after present opening which they like being involved with and then we cook a special meal which they also like to help with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a family that does family Olympics. Lots of different games or challenges for points and they have a trophy they keep all year.

This sounds like fun! I saw a hallmark movie recently where they did something like this.

[Anonymous]

Board games, go to a local park and bring the new outdoor balls and fun stuff to play with, bake cookies, drive around and look at Christmas lights or go to a ski resort for the day and go tubing. You could also do a local day pass at a nice hotel with an indoor pool.

[Anonymous]

Do a project such as decorating gingerbread houses.

[Anonymous]

For the younger set, we send them to daycare. If they’re open and we’re paying, they go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe go out to the movies. Weather permitting go for long walks / Play in the snow.

You could also ask around and see if any local soup kitchens have volunteer opportunities.

+1 My family often went to the movies on Christmas Day. It was just the five of us, no extended family, so after Christmas dinner we would all go. It was the only time everyone went to the movies together so it felt special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the younger set, we send them to daycare. If they’re open and we’re paying, they go.

That’s sad. Poor kids. I hope you’re joking.

[Anonymous]

Ice skating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the younger set, we send them to daycare. If they’re open and we’re paying, they go.

You’re a sick SOB

[Anonymous]

You converse with your family dodo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the younger set, we send them to daycare. If they’re open and we’re paying, they go.

That’s sad. Poor kids. I hope you’re joking.

I didn’t realize the title said Christmas Day. The days surrounding Christmas, of course they go to daycare.