The Famoo Christmas Book

12 activities of Christmas

Twelve easy things to do with children aged 3 and up this December. Each takes 10 to 20 minutes, and most use things you already have. A grown-up helps with scissors and handles the oven and anything hot.

Two A4 pages.

Pictures for every step, a part for each age and a read-aloud version: famoo.app/christmas

Paper snowflake laboratory 15 minutes

You need: A square of thin paper for each person; A pencil; Scissors, with a grown-up helping.
1. Fold the square corner to corner to make a triangle. Press the fold flat.
2. Fold the triangle in half to make a smaller triangle. Keep the folded edges together.
3. Draw a few small triangles or curves along the open edges. Leave plenty of paper between them so it all stays joined.
4. A grown-up helps cut out the shapes. Do not cut right across the folded edge or cut off the centre point.
5. Unfold it slowly, flatten it and compare snowflakes. Choose a window or wall to show them off.
Paper-loop tree decorations 15 minutes

You need: Scrap paper; Crayons; Scissors, with a grown-up helping; Sticky tape or a glue stick.
1. A grown-up helps cut the paper into wide strips, all about the same size.
2. Colour patterns on the strips before you join them.
3. Bend one strip into a ring and tape or glue the ends where they overlap.
4. Thread the next strip through the ring, then close it. Keep going to make a chain.
5. A grown-up hangs the chain on a tree branch or a shelf.
Paper-star garland 15 minutes

You need: 2 sheets of paper; Pencil and crayons; Scissors and sticky tape; About 1 metre of string; Optional star-shaped cookie cutter.
1. Draw five large stars with space between them. Trace around a star-shaped cookie cutter if you have one, or ask a grown-up to draw the outlines.
2. Colour the stars before cutting them out. Try stripes, dots or a repeating set of colours.
3. Ask a grown-up to help cut around the five outlines. Gather the scraps into the recycling.
4. Turn the stars face down. Lay the string across their backs with a gap between each star. Tape the string to each back and press firmly.
5. A grown-up hangs the garland out of reach of little ones and away from heat. Stand back and admire it together.
A card to make someone smile 15 minutes

You need: A4 paper or folded card; Crayons or pens; Optional scrap paper and glue stick.
1. Think of someone who would enjoy a Christmas card. Say what you like about them.
2. Fold a sheet in half and decide which side is the front.
3. Draw a festive scene or stick on simple paper shapes. Leave space for a greeting.
4. Write a personal message inside or tell a grown-up exactly what to write.
5. Sign the card and agree how to give it to the person. An adult handles any address or delivery arrangements.
A gift that costs nothing 15 minutes

You need: Paper or card; Pens or crayons.
1. Choose something kind you can really do: play a game together, read a story or help with a small job.
2. Agree the idea, and how long it will take, with a grown-up.
3. Write or draw what you are offering and who it is for.
4. Add a festive border and give the coupon to the person.
5. Agree a time to use it, then do it.
A little sharing parcel 15 minutes

You need: A bag or box; Things the charity or person has asked for, agreed with a grown-up; Paper and pens for a note.
1. With a grown-up, choose someone you know or a charity. Giving your time or a kind note is fine instead of buying things.
2. A grown-up checks what the charity is asking for now, and when and where it collects.
3. Choose a few things from their list. Check each one is in date and in good condition.
4. Pack everything neatly and add a cheerful label or note, following the charity’s rules.
5. A grown-up arranges the drop-off. Talk about why you chose those things.

Get the Famoo app Family life, sorted together. The family calendar, jobs and lists, shared by everyone at home.

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Twinkly-light detectives 20 minutes

You need: Warm coats, hats and gloves; A list of the five things to spot (a grown-up holds it, on paper or a phone); A pencil; Paper for a map afterwards.
1. A grown-up picks a short route you know, past decorated houses, and a time to be home. You can also do this from your windows.
2. A star, a tree, coloured lights, a wreath and a favourite display.
3. Stay together and look from the pavement. Tick off each one without going into anyone’s garden.
4. Younger children draw their favourite light. Older children draw the route, using places they know.
5. Back home, everyone shares the display they liked best and adds it to the map.
Reindeer face snack plate 15 minutes

You need: A plate for each child; Fruit, or soft or cooked vegetables, that your family already eats; A knife and chopping board (for the grown-up).
1. A grown-up picks foods everyone can eat and checks for allergies.
2. The grown-up washes the food and cuts it into pieces that are safe for each child to eat.
3. Arrange a face shape, two eyes and a nose on the plate.
4. Use more pieces for antlers or a festive border. A simple pattern is fine too.
5. Sit down and eat together. Tell everyone what your reindeer is called.
Fold-and-pass funny snowmen 15 minutes

You need: One sheet of paper per player; Pencils or crayons.
1. Fold each sheet into three horizontal sections, then open it. Each player starts with a sheet.
2. Draw the head and hat in the top section. Leave two small neck joining marks just below the fold.
3. Fold the head out of sight, leaving the joining marks visible. Pass the sheet to the left.
4. Draw torso and arms in the middle section, using the marks. Leave two joining marks below the next fold; hide the drawing and pass left again.
5. Draw the bottom section, then open the whole sheet together. Give your surprise snowman a funny name.
Christmas tree stretches 10 minutes

You need: Comfortable clear floor space or stable chairs.
1. Stand with space around you or sit on a stable chair. Move only as far as feels comfortable.
2. Reach arms gently upward like branches, then bring them down. Keep both feet supported.
3. Open arms wide and make a comfortable star shape. Take one slow breath.
4. Bring arms around yourself in a gentle hug, then open them again.
5. Repeat tree, star and snowball in a slow order. Finish relaxed; anyone can skip a movement.
Reindeer freeze dance 10 minutes

You need: Clear space or chairs for seated movement; Parent-controlled music or clapping.
1. Move breakable things aside. Decide whether to stand or join in seated.
2. A grown-up starts and stops a short tune, or claps a rhythm.
3. Try gentle hoof taps, antler arms or small steps while the sound continues.
4. When the sound stops, hold a comfortable silly pose. Nobody is out if they wobble.
5. Take turns choosing one movement, then finish with a slow stretch.
Santa’s story snuggle 15 minutes

You need: A Christmas book you love; Blankets or cushions; Optional soft toy.
1. Choose one story everyone can enjoy. Let a younger reader choose from two options.
2. Settle on the sofa or a low floor cushion with enough space for everyone.
3. Choose a narrator and any repeated phrase or character sound the family can join in with.
4. Read or play the story. Pause once or twice to spot a picture detail or guess what happens next.
5. Each person chooses a favourite moment. Put the book somewhere ready for another day.

From the Famoo Christmas Book, famoo.app/christmas. By Rob and Chris, two Sheffield dads, and our families. Free to copy and share. Some words and pictures on this page were drafted with AI. Not yet checked by a person. Famoo is a family app for UK homes, made by GEMINAI LTD.

Like these? Make your family’s Advent calendar in Famoo. Famoo is a family app, in beta now: famoo.app

Get the Famoo app Family life, sorted together. The family calendar, jobs and lists, shared by everyone at home.

app.famoo.app