Visit Father Christmas

The Bentall Centre has set up a grotto in Childrensworld on the third floor where it’s free to visit Santa.

Kids can also receive a gift from Father Christmas for £4.99, including a £1 donation to local charity Momentum, which supports families whose children have cancer or a life-limiting condition.

There is also an afternoon tea with Father Christmas being held at The Place to Eat in John Lewis on Thursday, December 14 at 4.30pm. At £7 per child, it includes afternoon tea, drinks and a gift.

Kingston Christmas Market

This year, Candy Cane Forest has been introduced to the Christmas Market, which is a dedicated kids’ entertainment area with rises, competitions and lots of festive fun.

The market features more than 50 stalls in beautifully decorated wooden chalets and a heated marquee selling Christmas goodies, arts, crafts and decorations.

Hampton Court Palace ice rink

Why not bring the kids down for some ice skating in the glorious surroundings of Hampton Court Palace. Tickets cost £8 for each child and £15.90 for an adult.

Creative crafts

There are free crafts for children in the Activity Corner of the Kingston Museum over Christmas. Also check out The Crafty Café in Surbiton for kids’ pottery classes.

Kingston Children’s Literary Festival

Kingston’s first ever Children’s Literary Festival was launched this Christmas season.

Children and parents are being invited to listen to festive and non-festive tales read by renowned children’s authors.

Visitors will have the chance to meet comedian and picture author, Olaf Falafel, who wrote ‘Father Christmas Heard A Parp’, illustrator and animator Tom McLaughlin, who wrote ‘The Accidental Father Christmas’, author Katherine Woodfine, who wrote ‘The Midnight Peacock’, blogger and fantasy writer Abiola Bello, who wrote ‘Emily Knight: I Am Awakened’ and the award-winning Pete Johnson, author of more than fifty books, including ‘Louis and the Laugh’.

All readings are completely free but need to be pre-booked in advance as spaces are limited.