The Best Places To Take Your Kids To This Christmas

Your kids will love taking an after-dark walk around Kew's famous 300-acre botanic garden, which has been lit up with twinkling lights and illuminations. The route will take you past light, water and music displays and you'll also come across Father Christmas himself. Dotted along the paths are food vendors where you can buy prosecco, mulled wine, and hot chocolate, as well as tasty treats. It usually takes just over an hour to walk around it (it's a little over 2km), so factor that in if you have little ones who don't like to walk far (although there's plenty to keep them entertained on the way round.

If you've ever taken your kids to a show that's too long, or that went way over their heads, or that was only finished through a HUGE amount of snacks and bribery? Let us introduce you to Little Angel Theatre. The theatre in London's Angel, specialises in theatre for kids and just GETS IT. They've got two shows on this Christmas. This year there's a retelling of Julia Donaldson't Charlie Cook's Favourite Book (which will then go on nationwide tour) and WOW! It's Night-Time (For Wow! Said The Owl fans). Both look AMAZING.

Already one of the best kids attractions around, this Christmas, Kidzania will transform with a host of activities including Elfmas. Kids and grown-ups can go one step further together this Christmas with our extra-special Elfmas Experience to take caring and sharing to the max at KidZania this Christmas, and beyond!

If you’re looking for some much-needed adult relaxation this Christmas, coupled with a plethora of activities for the kiddies, Birch Hotel in Waltham Cross has you covered. Set within 55 acres of stunning grounds and only 30 minutes from London, it’s the perfect escape for the entire family. Birch’s philosophy is all about getting the most from life… whether that’s wandering around in nature, making things, baking things or indulging in a break-of-dawn gong bath. Kids’ activities include Young Adventurers Club, art and pottery classes, foraging in the woods, and pizza making. Whilst the young ones have their fun, you can unwind with one of the many treatments available on-site (we can recommend the Reset Massage), or even make the most of having time to actually hit the gym after putting it off for most of the year. Once you’re all suitably relaxed, wine and dine at either the Zebra Riding Club or Valeries restaurant, both chic yet informal, before a blissful night’s sleep in one of their 140 cosy bedrooms. Prices start from £160 per night, with use of gym facilities included. All additional activities & treatments can be booked prior to your stay at an additional charge.

The show is packed with Christmas cheer, and includes the opportunity for every child to meet Santa in his grotto and receive a gift after the show. From the author of the well-loved children's book Dear Zoo, Rod Campbell, this production follows the five star production of Dear Zoo Live.

Yes, a day out at LaplandUK culminates in meeting the main man, in the most beautifully decorated ski-lodge, but it's the world around Father Christmas that's so magical. Your kids are taken on a four-hour long journey through an entire village, created to feel like you've gone to the North Pole. You'll help make toys in Father Christmas's factory, ice gingerbread with Mrs Claus and enjoy musical performances from the elves along the way. Half way through there's even Father Christmas's Frozen Lake - aka, a beautiful ice rink - where you can burn off the kids' excitement and refuel at the various food stalls, before touring the dwellings of the elves nestled in woodland scattered with fake snow. When you book tickets, your kids are sent their own correspondence from Father Christmas and his elves, including Treehigh, whose role is to put the brightest stars on top of trees. And with guests returning year after year, these characters will become as part of your family festive folklore as Father Christmas.