The Explorers activity calendar

We've got 24 fun activities to keep you busy this December. From crafts to homemade Christmas gift ideas and LEGO to wordsearches there's lots for you to enjoy at home with your family.

1. Knitted hood

In the days when canals were used for delivering goods all over the country, boaters were out in all weathers. Children wore homemade hats to keep them warm and dry in winter. This knitted hood would make a great Christmas gift!

2. Colour a narrowboat

Colour in this narrowboat and remember to give it a name. Maybe it could be decorated for Christmas!

3. The Day Aliens Came to the Tame Valley Canal

Read what happened when a group of aliens circling the Earth in their spaceship land near the Tame Valley Canal. They are confused! Fortunately, Class 5 of the nearby Priory Primary School are on hand to help them.

4. A boatman's breakfast

Working on a sea-going barge was tough so boatmen needed a healthy filling breakfast. Start your day like a boatman with this yummy recipe for porridge!

5. LEGO newt

In winter, newts hide in the warmest places they can find to shelter from the cold weather and frost. You can make your own Explorers newt out of LEGO.

6. Duck hat

Ducks come in a huge variety of sizes, shapes and colours. Go wild and make your very own duck hat to wear. Why not try to copy a duck's funny little waddle!

7. Photo frame

Boaters took great pride in their narrowboats and decorated the tiny cabins with pretty arts and crafts. Make this photo frame to hang in your room, or give as a gift at Christmas.

8. Just write!

Canals and rivers inspire writers to create stories and poems. Write a poem about your local canal or river, or a short story about something that happened nearby.

9. Knot bracelet

This knot bracelet is inspired by the decorative knot work found on the fenders of narrrowboats. It would make a beautiful gift.

10. Swan puppet

Make a moving swan puppet using this template. Make a pair and put on a puppet show for your family.

11. Wordsearches

Look carefully and see how many canal words you can find in our wordsearches.

12. LEGO narrowboat

Use our step-by-step instructions to build a mini LEGO narrowboat.

13. Family tree

Explore your family history and create a beautiful family tree diagram to represent the members of your family.

14. LEGO otter

You can still find otter prints in winter. Look carefully on the muddy banks of rivers or the edges of canal towpath. Make this LEGO otter using our step-by-step instructions.

15. Spicy blackberry chutney

Make jars of this delicious chutney. Design labels and cover the lid with circles of patterned fabric. They’ll make great gifts!

16. Boater's mop

Make this traditional boat mop from scrap fabric, a stick and coloured tape.

17. Design a work boat

Have a go at designing a working canal boat and a boat cabin layout. Make sure you leave room to open the boat cabin door!

18. LEGO duck

Ducks’ feet never get cold, even in winter, because they don’t have nerves in them! Use these step-by-step instructions and build a LEGO duck.

19. Watercan

When boats were used to transport goods, boaters would store fresh drinking water in beautifully decorated watercans. Use this template to make a mini watercan.