Andover Events Christmas FamilyLife

Top 5 ideas for the School Christmas Holidays in Andover

Ideas to enjoy during the School Christmas holidays in Andover

Official Hampshire school holiday dates are Monday 20st December – Monday 3rd January  . BUT a lot of schools are taking the Friday before as an inset day or finishing early, so check with your child’s school, and some are starting back later due to the latest Covid situation.

Here are some suggestions on what to do this Christmas half term in Andover with your children.

  1. Hunt the NutCrackers

The Andover Nutcracker Trail runs until 6th January 2022.

Find the names of 10 giant Nutcracker’s located in businesses around Andover Town Centre and enter the draw to win vouchers worth £300 to spend in local businesses.Activity Booklets containing clues have been sent to local primary schools and nurseries. You will also be able to pick up a copy from the Library and The Lights. Write down the names of the Nutcrackers on the entry form, fill in your details, remove the page and post in the box located at Andover Library or send an electronic copy back to Shelley at events@andoverbid.org.uk.

A winner will be drawn at random in early January from the entries.Don’t forget to take a selfie with one and tag the business it is located at. #andovernutcrackers

2.Play a family game

These fun indoor family games are good alternatives especially if you are stuck inside because you are having to self-isolate due to Covid. All of these are super simple so players of all ages can learn quickly.

  • Start a drawing game. One person starts by drawing a shape on a piece of paper and passing it to the next player, who adds to it. Keeping passing around the drawing until everyone has a turn (if it’s a large group), or for a predetermined number of times (if it’s a small group). This can be played with as many players as you wish.
  • Play hide and seek. It’s not just for kids! Kids love to find the grown-ups!
  • Try a pencil and paper game, like Dots and Boxes. (<— There’s a video with instructions in that post.)
  • Play an old school game of  spoons!
  • Play Simon Says.
  • Play a guessing game: put an assortment of items on a tray, everyone tries to memorize the items.

3. Local Christmas lights Hunt

We love discovering all the Christmas light displays on houses all over Andover and surrounding areas and as a family tradition we always take a tick list with us which lists the different types of Christmas lights to discover.

A Scavenger Hunt for Andover Families – A free fun activity to do with your children this Christmas

Click here to find out more

4.Go for a walk

Graeme Davis has written us some articles on some great places to visit in and around Andover.

5.Christmas Eve Magic and mince pies

Why not gather together in the Kitchen and enjoy some festive baking, together to get you into the Christmas mood.

If you are not sure how to make mincepies you can find an easy to follow recipe here

We have some Christmas recipes in our latest edition of the Love Andover Observer, so why not pick yourself up a copy and make some Tiffin truffles or Mini Floretines, the Observer can also be viewed online, here

On Christmas Eve evening as it gets dark get outside on your doorsteps and ring a bell or sing a festive song for 2 minutes to spread Christmas spirit and to help Santa fly his sleigh.

Local events can be found in the events section of our website, here