On Friday youngsters across Kirklees will pack away their schoolbooks and get ready for some Christmas fun as the holidays begin.

With the big day just around the corner, kids are bound to be bursting with excitement as they countdown to Santa's arrival.

But worry not parents — we've a few ideas to stop them bouncing off the walls between Friday and Christmas Day.

From local events to fun you can have at home, here's some festive activities for the Christmas holidays in Huddersfield.

10 top Christmas activities for kids

  1. Try some FREE Christmas crafting
    Head to Holmfirth Library and Information Centre in Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth for some Christmas crafts — and best of all, the session is free. Crack out the glue and glitter and see what you can make. Saturday December 20, 9.30am.

  2. Have a pre-Christmas clear out
    With new toys on the way from Santa's sleigh, the Christmas holidays are a good opportunity to get rid of older toys or games your children have grown out of before they receive their presents on Christmas Day. Donate toys in good condition to local charity shops, nurseries or children's groups and help spread some festive joy. Tis the season of goodwill, after all!

    A spiderman toy
    A spiderman toy
     
  3. Listen to the sounds of the season
    There's nothing like traditional Christmas carols to send chills up your spine and fill with you peace and goodwill to all men. Head to Marsden St Bartholomew Parish Church, in Church Lane, Marsden, for its annual Christmas concert, with a band and a choir. Saturday December 20, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (children £5), available from the band, the choir, the church or Duncan's Hairdresser in Warehouse Hill, Marsden.

  4. Get baking — Gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies, yule logs, Christmas cake... there's lots of tasty treats you can whip up to mark the festive season. Set up a cookie decorating table and let the kids get creative and you probably won't hear a peep out of them for a while!

    Indulge your sweet tooth with some Christmas cookies
    Indulge your sweet tooth with some Christmas cookies
     
  5. Settle down with a Christmas film — Home Alone, A Muppet Christmas Carol, Santa Claus the Movie, Miracle on 34th Street, The Polar Express — there's no shortage of great Christmas films to keep kids entertained over the holidays. Throw in a hot chocolate and some popcorn for a real festive treat. There's great films on over Christmas itself too — check out our Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day movie guides.

  6. Go find Santa in Slaithwaite
    Venture into Santa's grotto and embark on an exciting festive treasure hunt at Slaithwaite Library in Cross Street, Slaithwaite. The Santa's Grotto Treasure Hunt will take place on Monday December 22 — pick up your free collector's card 10am-12.30pm or 2pm-4pm.

  7. Make some Christmas decorations
    Paper chains, glittery pine cones, cut out snowflakes — there's loads of decorations you can make at home in the run up to Christmas. Spend a day out of the cold at the craft table, and add some homemade sparkle to your home this Christmas. Youngsters will love seeing their creations on display!

    Paper snowflakes
    Paper snowflakes
     
  8. Make a Christmas quiz
    Test the kids' Christmas knowledge with a fun quiz — you could even add prizes to make the competition more exciting! There's a wealth of topics to pluck questions from, from naming Santa's reindeer, to remembering the gifts the three wise men brought baby Jesus. For older children, a Christmas music quiz can be fun — play part of the track then ask them to name the song and the artist!

  9. Go to a Christmas party
    Huddersfield's Children's Library in Princess Alexandra Walk, Huddersfield, is hosting a festive bash for youngsters on Tuesday December 23rd. The free event, which will be held inside Huddersfield Library and Art Gallery, begins at 11am. Head down to kick off the Christmas festivities in style.

  10. Put on a show
    Whether it's singing, dancing, juggling or kung fu moves, most kids have a talent they're dying to show off — so why not challenge them to put on a festive showcase? If they're stuck for ideas, a dramatic tellling of a Christmas carol always creates festive chills — or perhaps they'd like to choreograph a routine to Merry Christmas Everyone by Shaking Stevens. Either way, it will keep them busy — and should keep parents entertained too!

    NATIVITY 2014 - Rowley Lane JI&N School Year 2 children performing their Nativity production of Baubles