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Those strange days between Christmas and New Year can be joyfully lazy and full of leftovers and TV or, if you have kids, they can be characterised by over-excited, stir craziness, leaving you feeling like you really need to get everyone out of the house! If that’s you then we’ve got you covered. Read on and find loads of things to keep the whole family busy. Whatever you get up to, we wish you a very merry betwixtmas!
FESTIVE TRAILS
We love a trail! It provides the motivation required to get those little legs out and about in nature and, at Christmas, they often feature a chocolatey prize so it’s win-win!
Shipley Country Park
Elf Trail
Until Sun 31 Dec – 10.30am to 2pm
Self-led Christmas-themed trail. Complete Elf’s activity sheet and win a candy cane. No need to book.
£2 per child
Carsington Water
Christmas Trail
Until Mon 1 Jan (excludes Christmas Day) – 10am to 3pm
Collect a trail sheet from the visitor centre and follow clues around Stones Island. Brilliant play area, small café and larger restaurant too. No need to book.
£3 (return sheet for a prize)
Tittesworth Reservoir
Christmas Trail
Until Mon 1 Jan (excludes Christmas Day) – 10am to 3pm
Collect a trail sheet from the visitor centre and follow clues. Great play area and restaurant too. No need to book.
£3 (return sheet for a prize)
Or why not join in with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s 12 Days Wild: discover some winter wildlife and do some wild acts to help nature. It officially runs from Christmas Day until Fri 5 Jan but you can do as much or as little as you like. Check out more information here
SUPPORT A FARM OR WILDLIFE PARK
At this time of year, visitor numbers at farms and wildlife parks can take a hit. We visited one on a beautiful blue-skied but snowy mid-December day and had the place almost to ourselves. Whilst this may be quite pleasant as a guest, it’s great to continue supporting them over the quieter winter months. Some others in Derbyshire appear to be closed for the rest of the year so check before you travel.
Matlock Farm Park
Open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day – 10am to 4.30pm
One of our favourites, Matlock Farm Park is great in any weather. There’s a variety of animals to see and feed, pony rides at certain times, and various little play areas. If it starts to rain, the small animal handling is undercover, there are a few animals housed indoors, there’s a giant covered newish play area, as well as a soft play and cafe. 50% off from 27 – 31 Dec.
Find out more and book tickets here
Peak Wildlife Park
Missing Elf Trail
27 Dec to 7 Jan and open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day – 10am to 5pm
The elves didn’t want to leave after helping in Santa’s Grotto so they’ve hidden themselves around the park. Santa needs your help to find them! Penguins and polar bears – what more could you want for a winter day out?! Find out more and book here
DAYS IN
Sometimes, when the weather is a bit ropey, you just need the kids to burn off some energy. Here are a few tried and tested suggestions.
Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink
Derby
Until Sun 31 Dec
Derby’s own glittering ice rink will be back again this year. Fun for all the family.
Tickets: £10 Book here
Tansley Barn Garden Centre
Open from 27 Dec – 9am to 5pm (garden centre opening times – check soft play before you travel)
A little soft play next to a café with the added bonus of a craft activity and colouring table. Find out more here
Mindfulness Colouring
Somercotes Library
Thu 28 Dec – 4.15 to 5pm
Open to all ages.
Christmas All Day Board Gaming
West End Community Centre, Mackworth
Thu 28 Dec – 10am to 10pm
A chance to play lots of board games. Hot drinks, biscuits. Bring games to sell.
Under 16s free; £5 adults
The Play Village
Ashbourne
Open from 28 Dec – sessions at 9.30, 12.15 and 3.30 (2hrs 15 each)
‘Role play not soft play’. Kids can enjoy endless role play opportunities in eight different play pods. There’s also a lovely café which, if you’re lucky, you can sit and enjoy whilst the wonderful play leader keeps an eye on the kids!
Book here
Christmas Crafts
Belper Library
Sat 30 Dec – 10am to 3pm
Come along to do some Christmas crafts and play with the interactive table
DAYS OUT
We’ve found a selection of ideal days out for the whole family – some still Christmassy, othes not.
Boxing Day Raft Race
Matlock
Tue 26 Dec – 10am
Decorated rafts start at Cawdor Quarry in Matlock, head through Matlock Bath and finally reach the finish line at Cromford Meadows. Awards ceremony at the Fish Pond in Matlock Bath. Donations to RNLI welcome. More information here
Christmas Lights Trail
Ashbourne
Until Thu 4 Jan
Lights trail supporting Ashbourne Playaway. Find out more and get a map here
Christmas at Haddon Hall
Until Fri 29 Dec
Each room is decorated with magical scenes. Find out more here
Tickets: £24.90 adult, children free, parking £3.80
Sudbury Children’s Country House
Open from Boxing Day onwards – 10am to 4pm PRE-BOOK ONLY
If you only go to one National Trust Place with kids, make it this one. There’s a truly brilliant museum, a stately home designed to engage children throughout, gardens and the usual NT café.
Tickets: £11 child; £22 adult
Book here
Hardwick Wintertide
Hardwick Hall
Until Sun 7 Jan
Share a special winter with the family at Hardwick Wintertide – chase lights and shadows around the hall as you tour by lantern light. Then visit the Great Barn Restaurant or the Hardwick Inn. More information here
Tickets: £8.50 child; £17 adult
Christmas in the Garden
Chatsworth
Until Sun 7 Jan
Enjoy an interactive light and sound trail around the garden from dusk. Includes parking.
Tickets: from £11
Book here
CINEMA
What better rainy day activity that a little trip to the cinema with some popcorn and a festive drink?
QUAD
Derby
Wonka, The Boy and the Heron (from Studio Ghibli), Wish and Godzilla Minus One are all showing over the Betwixtmas week!
Book here
The Ritz
Belper
Watch Wish and Wonka in the uniquely lovely surroundings of the Ritz.
Book here
THEATRE
For a really memorable festive experience, why not treat your little people to a trip to the theatre? Check out our reviews for Naughty Meg and Mother Goose
The Snow Queen and Other Stories by AVP Theatre FREE
Derby Market Place (in the Nordic Bar next to the Ice Rink)
Until Sun 31 Dec – 11.15am (45 mins long)
A free family-friendly show with lots of interactivity! Step inside the Magic Storybook and watch the fairy and cast of mischievous puppets bring some Winter tales to life.
Mother Goose
Derby Arena
Until Sun 31 Dec
An action-packed adventure from Derby LIVE guaranteed to have the whole family honking with laughter.
Tickets: £19 to £30
Book here
Naughty Meg and the Christmas Elves
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
Until Sat 30 Dec
Derby LIVE bring back the Babbling Vagabonds this Christmas with a wickedly comic tale which will be enjoyed by anyone who has ever been the slightest bit naughty.
Tickets: £15
Book here
Three Billy Goats Gruff
Derby Theatre
Until Sun 31 Dec
Join three adventurous billy goats as outwit the troll to cross the bridge to the other side. A festive treat from Hiccup Theatre in collaboration with Derby Theatre and Polka Theatre.
Tickets: from £12.50
Book here
Aladdin
Winding Wheel, Chesterfield
Until Tue 2 Jan
Join Aladdin on the journey of a lifetime as he soars through the skies in his quest for fortune and true love. Full of magic, mystery and make-believe.
Tickets: from £20.20
Book here
Cinderella
Buxton Opera House
Until Mon 1 Jan
Join an incredible cast for another year of wonderful music, the finest comedy routines and a sprinkle of Christmas magic. It’s a pantomime for the whole family to enjoy!
Tickets: from £21.50
Book here
GO FOR A WALK
At the most expensive time of the year, free activities are often just what we need.
We’re lucky to have so much accessible woodland in the area: Shining Cliff Woods in Ambergate, Allestree Park, Heritage Wood in Ashbourne, Duke’s Quarries in Whatstandwell, Bow Woods in Cromford, The Chevin between Belper and Milford and Holbrook Woods.
The High Peak and Monsal Trails offer a range of different walks too. We love the little walk from the National Stone Centre in Wirksworth (includes a café, small playground and museum), along the High Peak Trail in the direction of Black Rocks (good for a scramble) and on as far as you like. You can head back the same way or meander back through the woods.
We also recommend checking out the Peak District Kids website where you’ll find hundreds of searchable walks of all lengths and suitable for all levels of ability.
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