As the Chief Psychologist at The Happy Confident Company, I support families in fostering connection, resilience, and joy throughout the year. The festive season is a magical time but can also be challenging, especially for parents balancing the needs of children of different ages. So here are some age-specific activities, practical tips, and psychological insights to help your family thrive over the holiday season this year.
First Years: Finding Balance with a Baby at Christmas
The holidays can be overwhelming for new parents juggling festivities with the needs of a baby. Babies thrive on routine and calm environments, which can feel at odds with the business of Christmas. Here’s how to keep things joyful while attending to your baby’s needs:
Activity: Sensory Christmas Exploration
Create a sensory area for your baby using safe, festive objects, consider texture, colour and sound when gathering things, like crunchy wrapping paper, jingle bells and pinecones. Sit with your baby and encourage them to touch, shake, and explore these items while you describe them. This helps develop sensory awareness and strengthens your bond.
Psychology of why: Research shows that early sensory play boosts cognitive development. Narrating your baby’s exploration supports language acquisition, even if they aren’t speaking yet. Try to have simple key words and there is no such thing as over repetition here!
Parent Tip: Prioritise quiet moments. Babies can easily become overstimulated by loud gatherings. Create a calm retreat, such as a dimly lit room with soothing music, to help your baby feel safe and secure.
Helpful offerings: There will be a lot of people around trying to help you but getting it wrong. Try to remember it comes from a good place and direct the energy and love in helpful directions. Practise saying out loud what they CAN do to be helpful. “There are so many new things for baby today, would you mind taking them for a half hour walk in the pram, they love the outdoors and seeing the lights in the street. I’ll get them all wrapped up for you…” “Baby is a very cuddly with me today, there is a lot going on in their tiny brain, it would be really helpful if you could wash the bottles so they are ready for the next feed…”
Toddlers: Keeping Little Hands Busy
Toddlers bring infectious energy to Christmas, but their short attention spans and unpredictable emotions can be tricky to manage. Keep them busy with meaningful activities to channel their enthusiasm constructively.
Activity: Open Ended Play
Set up a crafting station with materials like paper, crayons, glitter, and stickers. Toddlers can create Christmas cards or decorate paper ornaments with minimal help. We throw them all the tubing from the wrapping paper or toilet rolls for a cost-effective option.
Psychology of why: Crafting enhances fine motor skills and creativity while teaching toddlers to focus on a task. It also builds a sense of pride when they see their creations displayed. When they are engaged in open-ended play try not to interrupt them unless you have to, allowing them to persist and follow their own chain of thought (assuming it is safe to do so!) is a skill they need to develop.
Activity: Storytime with a Festive Twist
Read simple Christmas-themed books aloud, using funny voices and encouraging toddlers to join in with repetitive phrases. Books like The Gruffalo’s Child or Stick Man are engaging and festive. Get them to do whatever they can to contribute to this task, whether it is turning the pages, pointing to the common character or even saying ‘next page’.
Psychology of why: Reading aloud fosters language development and strengthens emotional connection. Toddlers learn to associate books with comfort and joy and with their parents.
Parent Tip: Manage expectations by keeping activities short and simple. Toddlers benefit from a predictable rhythm, so intersperse active play with quiet, calming moments. When something is about to finish, see this as a ‘transition’; give them a warning that it is coming to an end, offer a closed choice if needed, then let them know what is going to happen next. This might sound like: “2 more left, then we are going to get a snack from the kitchen; Should I do it or you do it? Last one, let’s go to the kitchen”.
Navigating a Busy Home: Empathy and Communication for All Ages
With multiple generations under one roof, family dynamics can be tested during the festive season. Cultivating empathy and effective communication can prevent conflicts and create a harmonious environment.
Activity: “FEELIT® Time”
Create a space where everyone, including young children, can use their FEELIT® Cards (or make their own feeling cards), fun stickers, emojis, or drawings to express their feelings each day. Here’s a FREE Printable version that you can use together at home…
Psychology of why: Recognising and validating emotions helps family members feel understood. It also teaches children emotional literacy, a vital skill for life.
Parent Tip:
Leading by example is vital in building greater emotional expression in the home. Why not try starting each day with everyone saying how they feel. Share not only the pleasant feelings like happy, excited or grateful but also the tougher ones like worried, overwhelmed and tired. By sharing all feelings we help our kids know that all feelings are valid – and when we share less pleasant feelings it increases connection as family members can ask one another – ‘what can I do to help you’.
Activity: The Gratitude Jar
Over the holidays, encourage each family member to write three things they’re grateful for each day on pieces of paper, fold them up and place them in a jar. Your children could also add little drawings, write out jokes, or even questions they’d like to anonymously ask the family…On Christmas Day, take turns reading them aloud.
Psychology of why: Gratitude boosts mental wellbeing and shifts focus away from materialism. Sharing gratitude reinforces positive family relationships and is an impactful ‘quick win’.
Parent Tip: Lead by example. Model empathy and active listening in conversations. Acknowledge children’s feelings, even when you can’t meet their requests, to show them their emotions matter. I often say ‘thank you for telling me’, which in my own head means that I disagree but I appreciate their communication.
Fostering Gratitude and Kindness
The excitement of receiving gifts can overshadow the spirit of giving. Help children of all ages develop a sense of gratitude and kindness with these ideas:
Activity: Create Handmade Gifts
Set aside time for children to make small gifts, like decorated picture frames or baked treats, for loved ones. Or let them hold responsibility for wrapping some gifts for family members, this can reduce some of your workload, while giving them control and creative license. Even if it’s not completely secured, family will love the time and effort, sending back a clear message of contribution and love.
Psychology of why: Crafting handmade gifts teaches children the joy of giving and allows them to experience pride in their creativity. It shifts their focus from receiving to contributing. It’s also great fine-motor activities for reluctant writers and very achievable; give them a few big bows to stick on, everything looks good with a bow!
Activity: Acts of Kindness Plan for 2025
As we watch the advent calendars run out of doors to open, maintain the practice by creating a Kindness Calendar for the new year. Think about daily acts of kindness that as a family and as individuals you can commit to. Examples might include “help tidy up,” “draw a picture for someone,” or “compliment a family member.”
Psychology of why: Encouraging children to think about others instils a sense of empathy and reinforces pro-social behaviour.
Parent Tip: Talk openly about the value of kindness and gratitude. Share stories of people who made a difference in your life and explain why giving feels just as good—if not better—than receiving. Talk about effort, like wrapping gifts and taking time to choose as these are key values that can get overshadowed in the festive period.
Teamwork: Building a Family Unit That Supports Each Other
Christmas requires collaboration, especially when planning meals, decorating, and hosting guests. Families who work as a team develop stronger bonds and resilience.
Activity: “Family Roles” Planning Session
Before the holiday chaos begins, hold a family meeting to assign roles. For example, one child might take charge of setting the table, while another handles sorting recycling after unwrapping gifts.
Psychology of why: Involving children in responsibilities gives them a sense of ownership and teaches accountability. Working together also builds a shared sense of accomplishment.
Activity: The “Family High Five” Game
Each evening during the holiday period, gather as a family to share five good things that happened that day. Encourage each person to recognise someone else’s contribution.
Psychology of why: Celebrating small wins as a family reinforces positive interactions and helps everyone feel appreciated.
Parent Tip: Be flexible and understanding when things don’t go as planned. Emphasise effort over perfection to keep stress levels low and focus on the joy of being together. It will not work perfectly every evening but is worth those occasional magical moments and builds a secure base for future efforts.
A Final Word: Embracing Imperfection
The holidays are about connection, not perfection. While it’s natural to want everything to run smoothly, remember that small, meaningful moments matter most to children. Whether it’s giggling over a family board game, cuddling up for a Christmas movie, or simply taking a walk together, these experiences create lasting memories.
By integrating these age-appropriate activities and fostering communication, empathy, and teamwork, your family can navigate the festive season with joy and ease.
Wishing you a Happy Confident Christmas from all of us at The Happy Confident Company!
