Christmas parent-child activities, fun and presents galore!

At this magical time of year when the bustle pauses and we have more time to spend with family, it’s great to have some ideas tucked up the sleeve for fun activities that parents and kids can do together. We’ve come up with a go-to list that includes everything from easy recipes to try in the kitchen that will produce perfect German Christmas cookies, to rock candy workshops that help you make your own professional looking handmade sweets, to parent-child drone flying courses, parent-child archery courses, parent-child 3D art courses, and a family philharmonic orchestra Christmas concert (see if you can spot Bizibuz’s founder in the cello section!).

Christmas parent-child activity at home - Spiced German cookies

These German biscuits, known as Zimtsterne, are the perfect gift during the festive season (they keep fresh for up to two weeks after baking). They are unbelievably easy to make so a great opportunity for your little sous chef to get involved, and look and taste as good as the pictures promise. The cinnamon flavour and texture changes are divine. As you bite into the cookie, you hit the crisp meringue shell, then the chewy edges and, finally, the sweet, soft interior.

Ingredients:

• 2 egg whites
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 225g sifted icing sugar (+ some extra for the rolling surface)
• 220g almond meal
• finely grated zest of 1 orange
• ½ tsp cinnamon powder
• ⅛ tsp ground cloves
• rosemary (+ sprigs for decorating)

Method:

1. Place egg whites in the bowl of a cake mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on medium-high speed until frothy (about 30 sec). Add the salt and lemon juice and continue to beat until soft peaks form (about 1 min). Add the icing sugar one spoonful at a time, and continue to beat until thick and glossy. Transfer 100g of the meringue into a small bowl and cover with cling film or a small plate. Set aside in a cool place.
2. Add the almond meal, orange zest, cinnamon and cloves to the remaining meringue in the mixing bowl and place the bowl back onto the cake mixer, this time fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until you have a sticky, dough-like paste.
3. Sift some icing sugar (about 2 tablespoons) directly onto the kitchen bench, then tip the dough out and roll lightly in the icing sugar. Knead gently for a few seconds, then divide the dough in two. Wrap each piece loosely in cling film, then press lightly to form slightly flattened discs. Refrigerate for about an hour.
4. Line a large oven tray with baking paper and have your biscuit cutters ready. Sieve a little more icing sugar onto your kitchen bench, then unwrap one of the dough discs. Dust both sides of the dough lightly with the icing sugar, then, with a rolling pin, gently roll out evenly to about 6mm thick.
5. Dip the biscuit cutters in some icing sugar, then stamp out shapes. Use a small metal spatula to lift the biscuits carefully and place on the lined baking tray. Save the offcuts. Repeat with the second piece of dough, sifting more icing sugar onto the workbench as needed. Press the offcuts together and re-roll to make more biscuits.
6. Using a small pastry brush, spread a thin layer of the reserved meringue on top of each biscuit. If easier, spoon the meringue into a piping bag and pipe it onto the biscuits. Place a sprig of rosemary in the middle of each biscuit, then set the tray aside at room temperature for about an hour to dry out the meringue.
7. Preheat the oven to 150C fan-forced (170C conventional). Bake the biscuits for about 12 minutes, until they begin to colour at the edges. Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store the biscuits in an airtight container, or place in cellophane bags for gifts.

Christmas Papabubble rock candy classes with your children

A taste you feel. A memory you eat. Launched in 2004 in Barcelona, Papabubble has reinterpreted the process of making candy, with a 100% manual process that requires great skill of our candy masters. This means each class is like a real candy production show right in front of our visitors, who witness and participate in the entire process to completion. They will smell, feel, and taste the freshly made candy. A unique and unforgettable experience. Papabubble Hong Kong offers rock candy and lollipop workshops experiences specially for kids and adults to join together (kids aged between 3-12 should be accompanied by a parent/guardian who can join the class for free). Classes are taught in English, Cantonese or Mandarin. Take home the large lollipop or bag of rock candy you create!

>>Explore Papabubble rock candy courses for 3-18 year olds in Tai Hang here

Winter parent-child drone flying courses

Kai Tak Aviation was founded in 2018 by a group of professional pilots devoted to promote the interactive development of unmanned aircraft system.

The drone course is a highly interactive, fun course designed to teach children how to follow instructions, improve concentration, and acquire the skills to pilot a drone safely while enjoying the pleasure of flying. A professional flight simulation tool is used to ensure flight safety as well as to help children to build their confidence in drone pilot training. It is designed to foster interaction between parents and children, and creates a unique opportunity to enjoy a new experience together. The cost of the class covers both parent and child participation. Classes are taught in English or Cantonese.

>>Explore Kai Tak Aviation’s parent-child drone flying classes for 6-12 year olds in Lai Chi Kok here

Parent-child archery courses during winter holiday

White Fletch Studio is a bow and arrow club specializing in traditional Chinese archery. It was founded by a group of like-minded traditional Chinese archers in response to the call for promoting traditional Chinese history and culture.

Chinese archery taught in the parent-child archery course is a practical martial art and an aid to mindfulness. Archery is one of the "six arts" in Confucian philosophy, which cultivates the mind and body of all-round talents. The course allows students to experience developing archery skills, archery philosophy and basic essentials of traditional Chinese bows, pulling the bow and setting the arrow, etc. Classes are taught in Cantonese only.

>>Explore White Fletch Studio’s parent-child archery courses for 4-8 year olds in San Po Kong here

Parent-child 3D art classes in Christmas

'AURA' is a German word, meaning 'Emmanuel'. It was proposed by a German philosopher, Walter Benjamin, that art had the nature of Emmanuel and its charm made art attractive to human beings. Because of the charm of art, artists were typical while artworks were unique.

Aura Art’s parent-child 3D art training course assists 3-8 year olds and their parents to create a beautiful sculpture to take home!

>>Explore Aura Art’s parent-child 3D art class for 3-8 year olds in Causeway Bay here

Family Christmas Concert

If you missed out on tickets to the Swire Symphony Under The Stars concert, it doesn’t mean your family must miss out on the fun of Christmas classics. The SAR Philharmonic Orchestra (https://www.sarpo.org/) is holding their highly anticipated annual “Classics for Kids Christmas Concert” on Saturday December 17 and Sunday December 18 at The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon. As a super festive treat, children seated in Rows A and B are invited to conduct the orchestra! And remember, net ticket receipts support music scholarships -- the perfect way to celebrate the season of giving!