We are having a co-worker and his family over for Christmas Eve. They have a boy, 10 and a girl 9. We have two girls ages 5 & 3.
I am wondering if you have group activity/game ideas for the group to play and then maybe something all of these kids could do together.
Thank you!
At target and now I think Kroger are selling the gingerbread houses already assembled just to decorate, I buy one per kid (the price is about 10 each). All the kids love decorating (my kids eating it at the same time) it has become a tradition and we all really enjoy it. And it takes a lot of time of entertainment!
Have you ever played the game "Apples to Apples?"
They have kids version that is wonderful and it's lots of fun. I'm sure all the kids will get it (though the 3 year old will need some adult help). Maybe play a few test runs before the big night so everyone in your house knows the rules. It's super easy and you'll be rolling on the floor laughing. :-)
Family board games would be a great idea! You have quite an age range there, so I'm not sure that you will find something that will entertain everyone.
Just a thought... don't over-structure the evening. The kids, despite their age range, may really enjoy just playing and hanging out. You could do a simple craft (ornament making, decorating cookies for Santa, decorating a cookie plate for Santa, etc) and leave it at that.
Board games and card games for the adults would be fun as well. We have always played Yahtzee on Christmas Eve in our family. It's a tradition that has become a borderline contact sport, but it's a lot of fun and the kids can play too. Have the two younger ones pair-up with the two older ones as "teams" and roll the dice!
I like what a poster said about putting on a Christmas movie w/popcorn.
Put out some hot cocoa & cookies, too.
Maybe they could bring a hand held game from home or a nook-type of
thing?
Have some board games out.
Worst-case scenario, have a dry erase board, chalkboard & chalk out & a craft corner.
Updated
I like what a poster said about putting on a Christmas movie w/popcorn.
Put out some hot cocoa & cookies, too.
Maybe they could bring a hand held game from home or a nook-type of
thing?
Have some board games out.
Worst-case scenario, have a dry erase board, chalkboard & chalk out & a craft corner.
Maybe you could have a white elephant gift exchange for the kiddos. The 3 year old might not get it however and could cause tears, so I guess you'd have to assess your 3 y/o first! ;)
I would say do some sort of craft or get a package of the set of 5 mini gingerbread houses. That would be fun for all the kids, even the older ones. It's under $10 for the whole pack and comes with frosting and candy. You could easily buy a few extra things of candy too for additional decorating. That would keep them busy for a while, especially the 5, 9, and 10 y/o. If you don't want to go that fancy you could always just decorate gingerbread people or plain sugar cookies.
Other than that, board games would be fun or even charades or something. You could also put on a holiday movie and make popcorn.
I always enjoy decorating christmas cookies or cupcakes with kids. I bake the cookies, and then let them cool off. Then, put out all kinds of toppings and icings. The kids have a great time. I also have hot chocolate or apple cider for them to drink. I put on Christmas songs or DVD's for the kids to watch too
Board games are always great when you have a large group. One of my sons favorites is Pictionary, and Apples to Apples.
We've bee doing Christmas eve with another couple for 5 years now and it's such fun! We have all boys: 8, 5, 5, 5, and 1. Last year, I surprised everyone with a pinata and it was a HUGE hit! We just had two of the adults stand holding the string up while everyone took a swing (did this in our playroom). My friend (the other mom) always makes a million sugar cookies and homemade frosting for cookie decorating time. All in all it's always a great night. Maybe this year we'll do a pin the nose on Rudolph.....it's always a party when our two families get together.
A gingerbread house! You can get a kit for a large one, or you can search online to get ideas to make individual ones out of graham crackers!
I like that ginger bread house idea or apples to apples. You might have to help the two little ones a little but it's lots of fun!!!
