Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Family Christmas Activities in Dorset 2021
We all need a very merry Christmas for 2021 and our local organisers and businesses are already coming up trumps with their plans for family activities in Dorset this festive season. See below for more information and don't forget to mention Primary Times Dorset when making a booking.
The Santa Show at Adventure Wonderland
See Santa and his enchanted elves in this magical, musical show. Your visit also includes:
- Santa Show Tickets
- Souvenir Gift for every child
- Wild Thing Indoor Play
- Crazy Golf
- NEW Christmas Craft area.
Brewery Square’s Activities
There are a full set of fun activities to be enjoyed at Brewery Square this festive season including:
Christmas Lights Illumination on 27th November
A Christmas trail from 4th to 24th December
Christmas Craft Activities on 16th December
A Christmas Brass Band on 2nd December
Find out more at the Brewery Square website
‘Farmer Christmas’ experience at Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
This December, celebrate with their Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
Daytime Experience: Simply book your admission and ADD-ON a Farmer Christmas Experience for each child who would like to meet ‘the man in red’ from 11th to 23rd December inclusive. Tickets from bookings.farmerpalmers.co.uk
Twilight Event: Experience the farm park under the Christmas lights
Tickets from shop.farmerpalmers.co.uk
Frosty The Snowman Trail in Poole
This fun FREE activity for all the family is brought to you by Poole BID from 13th November to 31st December.
All you need to do is collect a form, follow the instructions and have fun finding the pictures of Frosty throughout Poole High Street. Prizes are available.
Forms are available from:
Toy Town in The Dolphin Shopping Centre
Pen Gallery in Kingland Crescent
The Porthole in Poole Old Town
Truly Scrumptious in Poole Old Town
Poole Museum in Poole Old Town
Find out more at the Poole BID Facebook
Other Christmas activities in Poole
Christmas Light Switch On on 20th November with live music and entertainment
Santa on the Quay on 20th November with Santa and real reindeer on Poole Quay with live music and entertainment plus face painters
Global Rainbow – a laser light sculpture by Yvette Mattern between 18th and 20th November
Marvellous Market Christmas Special at Falkland Square with festive entertainment and free kids activities
Choirs at Christmas in Poole High Street – every weekend in December.
Find out more about this and similar activities at the Poole BID Facebook page.
Christmas in Weymouth
Weymouth’s Christmas Lights Switch On and Elf World Record Attempt on 27th November
Visit New Bond Street with family and friends for live entertainment and a countdown to the switch-on of Weymouth’s Christmas illuminations at 4pm. They also want to see if Weymouth can beat the world record for the number of elves in one place at a time!
Santa’s Post Office on 27th and 28th November and 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th December.
Join the elves and write letters to Santa Claus before posting them in the magical post box straight to the North Pole. Extra activities on 18th and 19th December.
Travelling Nativity/Traditional Christmas on 11th December
Walk through the town on an interactive nativity trail, visiting churches along the way to complete a colourful sticker trail finishing with Carols at Hope Square at 4pm
Find out more at We Are Weymouth UK
Christmas at Moors Valley Country Park and forest
So much to see and do at Moors Valley this festive season including
Christmas Tree Shop open from 27th November with high quality, sustainably-grown British Christmas Trees
Christmas Lights Switch-on on 27th November with lights switched on between 4pm and 4:30pm with extra activities available and lights switched on between 4 and 4:30pm
Festive Fun Days on 4th and 11th December with children’s crafts, willow stars and party hats, performances by the Dorset Youth Marching Band and an assortment of stalls with homemade local gifts
Christmas Quiz Trail from 4th December to 3rd January. Follow the trail boards with different questions for adults and children. Trail packs will be available to buy from the Visitor Centre for £1.50, including an activity sheet for little ones and an answer sheet for adults and children.
Christmas Reindeer Workshops on 5th and 12th December to make your own mini wooden reindeer. Pre-booking is essential.
Make Your Own Reindeer Food on 5th and 12th December. Mix your own pot of sparkly reindeer food that is 100% child and wildlife safe.
Jack and the Beanstalk interactive performance on 17th December form Forest Forge Theatre and Bumblefly Theatre
As always, cycle hire is available but between 18th December and 3rd January get two hours for the price of one on all hires, including accessories.
Find out more here: https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/christmas/
Christmas Market and Santa at The Christmas Diner Poole
Take the children to meet Santa plus snack on a homemade cookie and milkshake and visit the market.
Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/thechristmasdinerpoole
Elmer and Friends at Dorset Museum
For the first time ever, families from across the region will be able to step into David McKee’s colourful world in this special exhibition from Seven Stories as it celebrates over 30 years of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
Families can enjoy illustrations, multi-sensory elements and more until 9th January
https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/event/elmer-and-friends/
The Santa Show at Adventure Wonderland
See Santa and his enchanted elves in this magical, musical show. Your visit also includes:
Santa Show Tickets
Souvenir Gift for every child
Wild Thing Indoor Play
Crazy Golf
NEW Christmas Craft area.
Book now at https://www.adventurewonderland.co.uk/
Brewery Square’s Activities
There are a full set of fun activities to be enjoyed at Brewery Square this festive season including:
Christmas Lights Illumination on 27th November
A Christmas trail from 4th to 24th December
Christmas Craft Activities on 16th December
A Christmas Brass Band on 2nd December
Find out more at the Brewery Square website https://brewerysquare.com/brewery-square/events-at-brewery-square/
‘Farmer Christmas’ experience at Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
This December, celebrate with their Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park
Daytime Experience: Simply book your admission and ADD-ON a Farmer Christmas Experience for each child who would like to meet ‘the man in red’ from 11th to 23rd December inclusive. Tickets from bookings.farmerpalmers.co.uk
Twilight Event: Experience the farm park under the Christmas lights
Tickets from shop.farmerpalmers.co.uk
Frosty The Snowman Trail in Poole
This fun FREE activity for all the family is brought to you by Poole BID from 13th November to 31st December.
All you need to do is collect a form, follow the instructions and have fun finding the pictures of Frosty throughout Poole High Street. Prizes are available.
Forms are available from:
Toy Town in The Dolphin Shopping Centre
Pen Gallery in Kingland Crescent
The Porthole in Poole Old Town
Truly Scrumptious in Poole Old Town
Poole Museum in Poole Old Town
Other Christmas activities in Poole
Christmas Light Switch On on 20th November with live music and entertainment
Santa on the Quay on 20th November with Santa and real reindeer on Poole Quay with live music and entertainment plus face painters
Global Rainbow – a laser light sculpture by Yvette Mattern between 18th and 20th November
Marvellous Market Christmas Special at Falkland Square with festive entertainment and free kids activities
Choirs at Christmas in Poole High Street – every weekend in December.
Find out more about this and similar activities at the Poole BID Facebook page. www.facebook.com/pooleBID/events
Christmas in Weymouth
Weymouth’s Christmas Lights Switch On and Elf World Record Attempt on 27th November
Visit New Bond Street with family and friends for live entertainment and a countdown to the switch-on of Weymouth’s Christmas illuminations at 4pm. They also want to see if Weymouth can beat the world record for the number of elves in one place at a time!
Santa’s Post Office on 27th and 28th November and 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th December.
Join the elves and write letters to Santa Claus before posting them in the magical post box straight to the North Pole. Extra activities on 18th and 19th December.
Travelling Nativity/Traditional Christmas on 11th December
Walk through the town on an interactive nativity trail, visiting churches along the way to complete a colourful sticker trail finishing with Carols at Hope Square at 4pm
Christmas at Moors Valley Country Park and forest
So much to see and do at Moors Valley this festive season including
Christmas Tree Shop open from 27th November with high quality, sustainably-grown British Christmas Trees
Christmas Lights Switch-on on 27th November with lights switched on between 4pm and 4:30pm with extra activities available and lights switched on between 4 and 4:30pm
Festive Fun Days on 4th and 11th December with children’s crafts, willow stars and party hats, performances by the Dorset Youth Marching Band and an assortment of stalls with homemade local gifts
Christmas Quiz Trail from 4th December to 3rd January. Follow the trail boards with different questions for adults and children. Trail packs will be available to buy from the Visitor Centre for £1.50, including an activity sheet for little ones and an answer sheet for adults and children.
Christmas Reindeer Workshops on 5th and 12th December to make your own mini wooden reindeer. Pre-booking is essential.
Make Your Own Reindeer Food on 5th and 12th December. Mix your own pot of sparkly reindeer food that is 100% child and wildlife safe.
Jack and the Beanstalk interactive performance on 17th December form Forest Forge Theatre and Bumblefly Theatre
As always, cycle hire is available but between 18th December and 3rd January get two hours for the price of one on all hires, including accessories.
Find out more here: https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/christmas/
Christmas Market and Santa at The Christmas Diner Poole
Take the children to meet Santa plus snack on a homemade cookie and milkshake and visit the market.
Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/thechristmasdinerpoole
Elmer and Friends at Dorset Museum
For the first time ever, families from across the region will be able to step into David McKee’s colourful world in this special exhibition from Seven Stories as it celebrates over 30 years of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
Families can enjoy illustrations, multi-sensory elements and more until 9th January
https://www.dorsetmuseum.org/event/elmer-and-friends/
Moors Valley
Christmas in Weymouth
Elmer at Dorset Museum
The Christmas Diner Poole
United Taxis
Crealy
Pavilion Dance South West
Kids on Quadz
Lyme Regis Museum