10 Easy Ways To Get Your Kids Outside This Christmas

Christmas with kids can be magical, but it can also feel chaotic, loud and a bit overwhelming. Between school concerts, visitors, sugar highs and endless toy catalogues, it is easy for screens to creep in and for outdoor time to disappear. The good news is that small, simple changes (and the right toys) can gently nudge everyone outside again, without adding more pressure to your to-do list.

Here are 10 easy ways to bring more outdoor play into your family Christmas, while keeping things calm and joyful.

1. Start with simple, realistic expectations
   You do not need a picture-perfect festive season. Choose one or two outdoor moments that really matter to you – a Christmas Eve walk to see the lights, a Boxing Day trip to the park – and let go of the rest. Kids remember how it felt to be together, not whether every activity was Instagrammable.
2. Choose outdoor-first gifts
   When you are shopping, ask: “Will this help them move, explore or play outside?” Balls, foam gliders, boomerangs, rockets and simple sports sets all encourage kids to run, throw and chase. If you love getting crafty too, look for fun DIY gifts this Christmas that turn into outdoor games – think homemade targets, obstacle course kits or decorated storage tubs for garden toys.
   
   
3. Make “fresh air before screens” your gentle rule
   Instead of battling over devices all day, try a calm family guideline: some outdoor play first, then screen time later. Even 20–30 minutes outside can reset moods and burn off energy so that when screens do appear, everyone is more settled and less irritable.
4. Lean on what the experts say about movement
   It can really help to know that you are not just being “mean” by nudging kids outdoors. According to official NHS guidance on children’s physical activity, children and young people should aim for around 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day to support their physical and mental health. Short bursts of play with outdoor toys absolutely count – chasing a foam rocket, playing catch or inventing garden challenges all tick the box.
5. Keep a grab-and-go outdoor basket by the door
   Make it as easy as possible to say yes to outdoor play. Fill a basket with hats, gloves, a football, a soft frisbee and one or two favourite toys. When tempers fray or energy spikes, you can simply say, “Let’s grab the basket and head out for ten minutes,” instead of spending ages hunting for kit.
6. Turn outdoor play into tiny traditions
   Kids adore rituals, and they do not need to be elaborate. Maybe you always go for a “pyjama walk” to see the lights one evening, have a family “garden games championship” after Christmas lunch, or do a New Year’s Day treasure hunt in the park. Repeating these simple outdoor moments each year makes them feel special and steadying.
7. Mix food, immunity and fresh air
   Cold-and-cough season often arrives with the holidays. Focusing on sleep, fruit, vegetables and time outside gives children a natural boost. If you would like more inspiration, my post on 10 easy ways to increase your family’s vitamin C intake shares simple, family-friendly ideas you can weave into everyday meals and snacks. Pairing those habits with regular outdoor play is a powerful combination.
8. Give kids real outdoor “jobs”
   Children often cooperate better when they feel useful. Ask them to set up the outdoor toys for visiting cousins, design a mini obstacle course, or be in charge of a “family penalty shoot-out”. Small responsibilities make them proud and keep them moving.
9. Build in mini reset breaks outside
   When the house feels noisy or everyone is fractious, call for a quick reset. Two minutes of “see how many times you can throw and catch this ball” or “run to the end of the garden and back three times” can shift the energy fast, especially for younger children.
10. Prioritise connection over perfection
    Some days will still be messy; that is family life. When plans go sideways, focus on tiny, connection-filled outdoor moments – holding hands on a short walk, watching your child test a new toy in the garden, laughing together at a wobbly throw. Those are the memories that stick.

With a few outdoor-focused gifts, gentle boundaries around screens and simple fresh-air rituals, Christmas can feel calmer for you and more magical for your children – full of movement, laughter and real-life play.