The only thing I can think of to do with my 2 year old is visit Santa and cruise around looking at Christmas Lights. Surely there must be more to do? Just wondering what I might be able to do with him on Christmas Eve to really make it feel like Christmas! Trying to start some traditions :) Thanks!
When my daughter was young I went to the local library and they had lots of Christmas book readings for toddlers. My daughter just volunteered at a library acting out the story of the Gingerman and then they all made gingerbread cookies together. When she was around 5 and older, we did a Tedddybear Tea, which was expensive but really fun.
Good luck and enjoy the Holiday's!!!
What about making cookies for Santa and setting out carrot sticks for the reindeer?
look on line to find houses to walk by and look at lights. we go to chino. you can take him/her to bass pro shop ;)
Look for things for your area? Listen to the commercials on the radio. etc. In our area, we have the Macys holiday display downtown (8th floor of what used ot be Daytons once upon a time and they have done it for generations..not as great I hear since it became Macys..same show 3 years running where it was always something different each year before)..we also have a few options of drive-thru light displays, like at the plant Arboretum..you pay a fee and drive the several mile trek slowly and they have special light dislplays you view from the car. I know many who do it in PJ's!
Also, we have a short special lights parade downtown a few nights a week that is free called the Holli-dazzle parade.
So search your local community for fun things like that!!
Look at local parks for train displays. Little ones LOVE trains. Or go to museums to see if they have something for the holidays. Or see what stores might have events/crafts. A botanical garden is likely set up for Christmas.
I always read "The Night Before Christmas" aloud to my kids on Christmas Eve. That's my favourite "tradition" ... there's something so special about cuddling with a "freshly bathed" little one in PJs & gown and sharing a special book which only gets read once a year! :) Whatever you choose to do, enjoy it .... before you know it your toddler will be a "big boy"! :) God Bless
Try googling "Christmas Los angeles" or something like that. We live in Hermosa Beach and I've taken them to the Manhattan Beach fireworks, MBch Christmas tree lighting, journey of faith church had redid there parking lot to look like Bethlehem, we go sledding on the sand hills they made in Hermosa Beach, etc.
At the Grove the have a fun trolley and it's all decorated for Christmas. I think there is ice skating or fake snow in Santa Monica??? Not that a 2 yr old can ice skate but watching could be just as interesting to him/her.
2 is fun b/c they just start to get it but wait until 3!!! Then they really engage in it and you can do a lot more stuff ...elf on the shelf, watch a Xmas movie at the theatre, decorate cookies, sing carols, etc.
Merry Christmas!
It's a bit of a haul for you, but I used to live on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. Every year around Christmas time, they would bring in a snowmaker and make a snowy winter wonderland near the firehouse. All the kids would play in the snow. I think there was even enough snow to a bit of sledding. I just thought it was a cute idea -- especially for So Cal. I don't know if they still do it, but you might want to see if they do. I'll bet a toddler would enjoy frolicking in the snow.
There is a lot to see on Balboa Island too -- cute shops and restaurants along Main Street, the beach, Balboa Island Ferry, Balboa Fun Zone (there is a carousel there), Christmas boat parade at night. Parking can be a pain if you don't get there early, but if you plan to spend the day there, you can have lots of fun. I'm making myself homesick for Newport Beach now ;-)
