Looking for fun activities to do this Christmas with your family? There’s plenty of things to do in Cairns and at home this year. Here’s our guide!
1. Put up the Christmas Tree.
That is, if you haven’t done so already! Getting the whole family involved in decorating the tree with glittery ornaments and glowing lights never gets old.
2. Make Christmas Cards.
We may live in the age of iPhones and social media, but a homemade, handwritten card still goes a long way. Break out the glitter and cardboard and get crafty!
3. Donate to the Annual Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Appeal.
This appeal raises funds to buy hampers for older members and families in the Cairns community who may need a helping hand. Why not donate and help spread the Christmas cheer this December?
4. Write a Letter to Santa.
Help your children write a letter to Santa asking for whatever it is that they would like. Photocopy the letter for a keepsake, it’ll make a great memory for them to look back on in adulthood.
5. Create a List of Your Favourite Christmas Songs.
Collect all those timeless, nostalgic songs onto a CD or playlist and listen to them wherever you go. Music is one of the best ways to get into the festive spirit, and if you’ve picked out the tunes together, you’ll all be bopping along together!
6. Get Your Picture Taken with Santa.
Head down to Cairns Central, Smithfield Shopping Centre, Stockland Earlville or Mount Sheridan Plaza to meet Santa Claus and the elves and have your child’s picture taken. Photos available daily until Christmas Eve.
7. Bake Christmas Cookies.
This is the perfect time for seasonal baking. Get the kids involved in the kitchen and bake some delicious gingerbread men or cinnamon-spiced cookies.
8. Create Christmas Tree Ornaments.
Personalise your ornaments by adding names, dates or your child’s handprints to your home-made decorations. You could even hang your child’s school photo on the tree.
9. Throw a Christmas Party.
What better way to get together with your friends (or the kids and their friends) than a Christmas party? Lots of games, hot chocolate and cookies, perhaps exchange some small gifts, too!
10. Christmas Lights Bike Ride.
Bring along your festive cheer for a bike ride down the Cairns Esplanade and through Edge Hill to admire the warm glow of the Christmas lights in the area.
11. Sleep Under the Christmas Tree.
Put on your favourite pajamas, gather your pillows, blankets and stuffed toys and have a little sleepover underneath the Christmas tree together with family, siblings or friends. There is something especially magical about going to sleep beneath the twinkling lights of the tree and waking up the same way.
12. Donate to a Local Animal Shelter.
Buy some doggy or kitty treats and toys and head down to the nearest animal shelter. The furry friends will appreciate your kindness.
13. Go Thrill Seeking.
Bad Fishy is operating it’s thrilling jet boat rides daily during the December and January school holidays. With spins, slides, speed and stunts that are loads of fun and perfect for kids 1.1m tall and above. Local discounts apply! Gift vouchers available.
14. Read a Christmas Story.
Your kids will love this special time with you. You can even extend this and read a different story every night before bedtime, leading up to Christmas.
15. Watch a Christmas Movie.
Or if your family is up for it, extend it to a marathon! Snuggle up on the couch with pillows and snacks and watch some Christmas classics.
16. Play Board Games Together.
An old-fashioned board game is a simple way to bring the family together. Scrabble, Checkers, Monopoly, whatever you can find in your house.
17. Have a Barbecue at the Beach.
Nothing’s better than a delicious barbecue lunch at the beach on a hot summer’s day, and you get to spend quality time with the family.
18. Head down to Rusty’s Markets.
Your big Christmas lunch and dinner is bound to taste amazing when you buy fresh local produce! Open every Friday and Saturday, 5.00am to 6.00pm and every Sunday, 5.00am to 3.00pm.
19. Leave Some Snacks out for Santa.
He’s clearly going to be having a very busy night and could probably do with some snacks! Leave out homemade cookies, hot chocolate, and reindeer food (oats mixed with glitter).
