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!
Events Watch
It’s time to embrace the merriest time of the year and start checking off your list of Christmas things to do! All over the county, venues and attractions are being transformed into winter wonderlands to tempt you with sparkling decorations, festive food and magical experiences to entertain the family. Here’s our handy guide to the best of the bunch!
Seasonal sights and sounds at Speke Hall
A team of elves are busy making the festive garlands, unravelling twinkling lights and polishing baubles ready to bring Christmas to Speke Hall. At weekends from the 24th November, step back in time to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a true Victorian Christmas and discover traditions from the past. Enjoy carol singing, make your own sugar mice or solve festive clues on the Christmas trail. After the hall closes on the 9th December there’ll be plenty of festive fun to be had in the great outdoors at Speke including a winter market to pick up a special gift on the 15th and 16th December. Wrap up warm to enjoy the play areas or take a walk in the wood to discover the fairy-like mushrooms hanging from the Bell Tree.
W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall-garden-and-estate
Liverpool has your magical Christmas all wrapped up!
From the moment it lights up on 16th November, Liverpool is the perfect place for festive family fun this Christmas. The iconic waterfront will play home to Liverpool Christmas Ice Festival, featuring ice skating and an ice slide; meanwhile on St George’s Plateau the bustling Christmas Markets will be open for you to visit Santa in his grotto and snap up some unique Christmas gifts.
As one of Britain’s leading retail destinations, they’ve got you sorted no matter who you’re shopping for. Liverpool ONE combines the big-name brands with beautiful boutiques, while Bold Street is the place for special one-off gifts. There’s no better time to sample the city’s amazing food and drink scene too, as special festive street food abounds. And with no less than 10 pantos playing to packed audiences, you’re sure to create some wonderful memories!
Enjoy real frosty fun with Santa this Christmas at Chill Factore!
Is there anything more Christmassy than the feeling of fresh snow beneath your feet? You’re in luck, because as from the 17th November you can visit Santa’s Grotto on real snow and be transported to a magical Lapland this winter at Chill Factore! All visits to the Grotto are combined with some sub-zero fun in the Snow Park. Take on the Downhill Donuts, Snow Luge and the Sledge-O-Mania and you’ll get a stocking-full of frosty fun! If your little one isn’t old enough for the Snow Park, then Mini Moose Land is the perfect alternative for toddlers. With prices starting from £9.50, there is no better way to gift your under-four with a fun-filled day and a magical experience. W: www.chillfactore.com/christmas
Enjoy an incredible family event at the Liverpool International Horse Show
Echo Arena Liverpool will transform itself to host this incredible, adrenaline-filled family event that will bring together everything from 
luxury shopping to Shetland ponies and motocross, to musical theatre from the 28th -31st December. Be prepared to surprise yourself and fall in love with Liverpool's best New Year sporting event! If you are looking for a unique way to spend New Year’s Eve with family and friends, whilst enjoying an unbelievable party atmosphere, the final performance of the Liverpool International Horse Show has it all. All performances are suitable for young children with family tickets available. To book tickets visit them online.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at your local Garden Centre
Get ready to experience a wonderful Christmas atmosphere when you cross the threshold of the Strikes Group Garden Centre in your area. You’ll be impressed by fabulous displays, sparkling decorations, enchanting grottos and children’s activities, guaranteed to inspire you! A delicious Festive Menu will be available in their restaurants from 26th November until 24th December offering traditional roast turkey through to pan fried pink trout, and delicious Christmas Pudding to an Apple and Plum Tart. Younger guests can choose from their Daisy and Bob menu – who could resist Rudolph’s Roast or Christmas Kebabs?
No Christmas would be complete without a visit to see the big man himself, so make sure you book a special Breakfast or Supper with Santa. As you happily tuck in, he will arrive with his magical sack of presents to put a big smile on your little one’s face!
Winter Funland lights up EventCity this December
Funland, the UK’s largest undercover indoor theme park, is coming to EventCity and promises to deliver a totally awesome festive experience! It’s a merry extravaganza for all the family, which brings together a fantastic sparkling line up of rides, entertainment and seasonal magic. Opening on the 7th December, enjoy incredible fairground attractions, a grotto experience, live reindeer, plus a new ice-trail to make some magical memories with the kids. Boasting a new 1000 seater auditorium, sit back and be entertained with live shows from a line-up including TV star Andy Day with his Odd Socks band, Frozen, and the Funland Circus. W: www.winterfunland.com
Enchanting adventures await in Blakemere’s Christmas Woodland
Head to Blakemere Village this Christmas for an unforgettable journey through the Cheshire woodlands to find Father Christmas, his Elves and forest friends, plus the captivating Snow Princess and her Unicorn. This enchanting 3-hour family event runs every weekend from 8th – 24th December and under-3s join for free. Tickets are from £19.95 per person (plus booking fee) and include a gift from Father Christmas and festive photo opportunities, with gingerbread decorating in Mrs Claus’ kitchen and a festive skating rink also available for an additional cost. Also at Blakemere Village this festive season, the popular ‘Breakfast and Banquet with Santa’ returns from 14th - 16th December.
Be Enchanted at Knowsley Safari
This Christmas, something magical is coming to Knowsley Safari! As the sun sets, the Foot Safari will come alive for their Enchanted evenings, a Christmas night of family fun with festive treats along the way. Father Christmas will be joining them for Enchanted, high five their elves and make your way to the grotto, sit by the fire and receive a special present too. Warm and fuzzy feelings are included! Children’s tickets are £14 each, including entry around the light safari and a magical meeting with Santa! Adult tickets are just £5. (*rides are not included in entry price). Enchanted runs on selected dates from 23rd November-23rd December.
W: www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk
Enjoy a spectacular Winter Wonderland this festive season
This December sees the Iconic St Luke's Bombed-Out Church transformed into a magical Christmas world where visitors, young and old, can dance, play, explore and create to their heart’s content! Guests will be escorted by their friendly elves to find Santa who is waiting in the spectacular Winter Wonderland with a gift for them. Adults don’t miss out and are also treated to a mulled wine and mince pie! It’s a family friendly event full of festive characters and fun activities to get everyone in the mood for Christmas! Tickets can be purchased online.