Updated / Thursday, 5 Dec 2019 15:23

Always looking for fun things to do with my kids that do not involve screens. Unless Man Utd are playing.

More from Your Days Out

It's hard to avoid Shane MacGowan or Maria Carey at this time of year...especiallyif every radio in the house and car have been retuned by your childrento Christmas FM.

The radio station is aiming to raise over 250,000 which will go directly towards Barretstown and you'd have to have a heart of stone not to sing-along.That's what my children keep telling me anyway!

There are also lots of other ways to give back something this Christmas and Leisureplex are hosting a brunchon Sunday with all proceeds going to Children's Health Ireland.

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun!

1)Curry and Hip Hop night at The Bernard Shaw If you need a break from all things Christmas, check out Tara Stewart's brand newCurry and Hip Hop night at The Bernard Shaw. The 2fm presenter, along withMango Dassle, will have you dancing the night away along withtwo very special appearances from Irish rappers Celaviedmai and R3D.

2)Brunch with Santa | Leisureplex Come and meet Santa at Leisureplex on Sunday morning with onehour of playtime, delicious brunch buffet for parents and children and lots of goodies and treats for the little elves. All proceeds will be donated to Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin. Booking essential.

3)RediscoverChristmas Fair The Rediscovery Centre is hosting its own Christmas Fair on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will be a large selection of stalls with independent suppliers who sell sustainably made products. There will also be plenty of activities for all the family each day with Christmas movies, karaoke, carols, demonstrations and festive food.

4)Elves Workshop at Delta Sensory Gardens The Elves'Workshop at Delta Sensory Gardens in Carlow has lots going on including face painting, arts & crafts, games, a selfie with Santaandentrance to gardens to see the lights display. Book your preferred time slot for Saturday or Sunday in advance.

5)'Twas The Night Before Christmas Inspired by the classic poem, this bilingual show combines storytelling, original live music and puppetry to create a fun and magical festive show for audiences aged 5 and upwards in Pavilion Theatre this Sunday.

6)Forever Young Winterfest The 80s are back in the INEC on Friday & Saturday

Grab your leg warmers, shoulder pads, double denim and scrunchies, because this festival is for grown-ups who want to let loose for a weekend and party like it's 1985 all over again withHoward Jones, Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw and more.

7)Winter Market The annual Winter Market at The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon this Saturday & Sunday will be full of gorgeous gifts, yummy food and festive cheer. Start off the season by supporting local craft workers, artists and food makers!

8)Howth Tree Lighting & Free Concert A fun festiveevent in Howth for the annual turning on the Christmas Tree lights with support from Main Street Flowers & The Country Market. Live music, entertainment, family fun, carol singing with a special visit from Santa.After Santa'sreturn to the North Pole, you can enjoy a free performance from the Young Dublin Symphonia in Howth Church from 7pm.

9)Christmas @ Playtown Featuring three popularChristmas experiences on Saturday includingParent & Toddler Christmas Experience on Saturday 7th December from 10am 12pm, The Christmas Experience at 12pm and 2pm and The Sensitive Santa Experiencefrom 4pm 6pm. Advance bookings only.

10)Drogheda Christmas Festival On West Street visitors can expect to meet Mr. & Mrs Claus, enjoy a fabulous Christmas Market and stunning light show on St. Peters Church whileon the Quays there will be a fabulous Vintage Carousel, a Christmas Cinema, Live Music & Entertainment, a mini Christmas Village and a spectacular Fireworks display on the last night.

11)Christmas Crooners Now in its 12th record-breaking year, "Christmas Crooners" in the Nenagh Arts Centre on Saturday night is jam-packed with festive favourites including the Christmas hits of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Ol Blue Eyes himself- Frank Sinatra.

A fantastic cast of West-End Singersbacked by The Jazz- All-Starsperform over thirty well known Christmas hits. A perfect evening out to get in the Christmas spirit!

12)Hansel & Gretel It's Christmas Panto weekend in Cork where children can enjoy the CBeebies Christmas Show: Hansel and Gretel on Saturday and Sunday in the Gate Cinemas in Cork City, Mallow and Midleton.

Three things to do next week:

1)Skate with Santa Santa Claus is coming to RollerJam for his annual skate! Santa will meetall the kids on the rink, and parents can take photos of their little ones skating with Santa!

There will also be a private meet and greet option available (for a small extra cost), where the child will get to sit and chat with Santaand receive a special gift.

2)Santa's Cottage Santa's Cottage offers a traditional experience, full of Christmas spirit, in a warm and friendly atmospherein Milltown, Galway. Itis a voluntary community project set up to provide a magical, affordable Santa experience and at the same time raise funds for local charities.

3)A Crafty Little Christmas Enjoy a weekend of family fun and crafts next weekend intheNational Museum of Ireland | Country Lifein Mayo.Craft your own Christmas decorations, enjoy choral performances in the galleries, take on a festive challenge with our activity sheets and watch a seasonal classic in our audio-visual theatre.

Continue reading here:
12 things to do this weekend | Dec 6th - 8th - RTE.ie