A man and woman walking their dog in the snow while carrying a Christmas tree

Stay Active This Christmas - Top 7 Christmas Family Activities

Written by Lydia Burdett / November 2023

It’s easy to let time pass you by at this time of the year. There’s certainly lots of shopping to be done, food to be eaten and preparation to complete, but that shouldn’t detract from the fact that one of the greatest things about Christmas is the quality time that can be spent with family. From decorating the house to enjoying the fresh winter air, Christmas is all about creating lifelong memories with your nearest and dearest, so don’t get caught up in the moment and forget what the festive spirit is really all about.

Here at Red, we’re firm believers that staying active and spending time outdoors together is the key to having a Christmas to remember. Whether you’re walking together or heading on a festive day out, it’s this quality time that all members of the family will really remember. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our top Christmas family activities, perfect for sharing a sense of adventure and capturing the magic this year.

Take Part In A Fun Run

To really get the blood pumping this Christmas, why not get suited and booted and take part in a Santa fun run? There are a number of different events that take place annually across the country, all of which involve donning a fun Father Christmas outfit and taking to the streets to spread some festive cheer. The distances of these events are usually short enough to make the race manageable for both young children and beginner adult runners but offer a great way to keep healthy and happy despite all the indulgence that Christmas brings. You never know, a family fun run might be the start of a more serious running habit in the new year, or it may become an event that your kids look forward to as an annual tradition.

Ice Skating

For a truly traditional Christmas family day out, head to your local ice rink and go for a family skate. Most cities will set up temporary ice rinks during the winter months so you won’t have to go too far to enjoy a winter wonderland on your doorstep. Ice skating is a great way to really get in the wintry spirit and you’ll be shocked at how good it is as a form of exercise too! Wrap up warm in gloves and a beanie and try not to be afraid - you probably will fall over at some point, but we can guarantee you’ll feel on top of the world by the end of your session.

Christmas Treasure Hunt

This Christmas family activity is great for both the outdoors and on a rainy day. Simply set up a series of clever clues in your local park, garden or living room. To keep everybody involved, you could encourage each member of the family to come up with their own clue or riddle to add to the hunt or get the children to take turns hiding festive items for each other to find. Make sure that everybody gets a little festive prize at the end and don’t be afraid to be adventurous when it comes to your hiding places and clues!

Winter Picnic

Who says picnics are just for summer? While it can be tempting to stay cosied up on the sofa around Christmas time, having a winter picnic is a lovely way to spend time as a family and the perfect way to extend a walk into a fun-filled day out. Make sure that everyone layers up (even the adults!!), fill your Red cool bag with festive treats and find a spot that is sheltered and dry. You could even take your Christmas dinner leftovers and enjoy some leftover turkey sandwiches when you’re itching to get outdoors after the big day.

Local Lights Walk

If you’re not that enamoured with the idea of travelling too far afield this Christmas, don’t worry. There’s plenty you can do to stay active and keep the kids entertained close to home, including taking a stroll around your local area to see your neighbours’ lights. This family Christmas activity is fun, free and a great way to fill an evening in anticipation of Santa’s big day. Wrap the children up warm in their Red Kids Dry Pro Robe and encourage them to point out their favourite lights as they make their way around the block.

Christmas Day Swim

Want to get the family together on Christmas day to do something a bit different? Why not head out on a Christmas day swim? We can’t pretend that it won’t be cold and you’ll need to be clued up on your open water swimming safety first, but taking the cold plunge on Christmas morning is undoubtedly the most exhilarating way to start the day. There are huge communities of keen swimmers that head out before breakfast, so extend your family and join in and we’re pretty sure you’ll feel compelled to return to the water again next year.

Make Your Own Decorations

Another great way to spend time together as a family at Christmas is to make your own decorations. This can take place either outside or inside, though we love the idea of using items you might find on your scavenger hunt to put together a truly unique array of festive accessories. Combine sticks and leaves to make a special Christmas wreath or add some ribbon to pinecones for the perfect tree decorations.