The Coastal Bend is bursting with festive, family-friendly activities this season, and the best part is, you don’t have to turn your kitchen table into a glitter explosion to enjoy them. Instead of stressing over DIY crafts at home, take the kids to one of the many local businesses offering hands-on holiday activities. From dropping a wish list into Santa’s mailbox to creating keepsake crafts and gingerbread houses, here are some of the best ways to make the season magical (and mess-free) for the whole family.
Tuftopia Christmas Tufting Workshop
Various Dates through December 31
Make the holidays extra cozy with Tuftopia’s Christmas tufting workshops. This 1.5-hour class guides participants through creating their own Christmas-themed tuft using yarn and tufting guns. It’s beginner-friendly and a great activity for creative families to enjoy together. All materials are included; all you need is your imagination.
Rachel & Rylie Kid’s Gingerbread Workshop
December 20 at 10 a.m.
Collaborate with your little one on a special gingerbread project. This Rachel & Rylie workshop invites participants to design their own wooden gingerbread houses with paint, glitter and festive flair, then stuff a cuddly 16-inch gingerbread plush to take home! Hot chocolate, sweet treats and a variety of holiday crafts round out the fun. Registration for the workshop is available online.
Christmas Gingerbread Cookie Decorating with A+ Cookies
December 13 at 11 a.m.
Rachel & Rylie will also host a sweet and creative hour-long workshop with A+ Cookies for kids to decorate a trio of Christmas cookies: a classic gingerbread man, a candy cane and a gingerbread house. Each child will receive three pre-baked cookies along with colorful icing, sprinkles and edible decorations to bring their holiday treats to life. Parents will also receive a set of cookies to decorate alongside their child to get in on the fun.
Art Center of Corpus Christi Family Art Time
Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Family Art Time takes on a holiday twist at The Art Center of Corpus Christi. These free sessions invite families to drop in and create festive crafts during the Grow Local Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays and again on Saturday mornings. Materials are provided, and each week features a new project, no registration required.
Drop a Letter at Santa’s Mailbox
All Month Long
Keep the magic alive with a visit to the Prescott family’s famous Santa Mailbox. The bright red box sits in their festively decorated yard, complete with snow falling from the trees and holiday music filling the air. Drop in your letter with a return address, and Santa himself will send a personalized reply. This year, with support from South Texas Haunts and Corpus Christi Spook Central, a little extra magic will be provided for a handful of fortunate children. Until Dec. 22, every star or donation sent to the South Texas Haunts’s Facebook Page will go directly toward fulfilling a child’s Christmas wish, as Santa and his helpers will thoughtfully choose a few wishlists from the mailbox to fulfill. It’s one of the sweetest traditions in town and a must for young believers. 3601 Castle River Drive
Gingerbread House Decorating at Cabana Pantry
Sunday, December 7, at 1 p.m.; Tuesday, December 16, at 5:30 p.m.
If your kiddos love playing chef, they’ll adore Cabana Pantry’s gingerbread decorating events. Each class is a fun mix of frosting, candy and creativity, teaching kids basic culinary skills along the way. Every participant leaves with their own masterpiece and plenty of sugar.
