5 Fun Ways to Keep Kids Happy and Engaged at Pauls Christmas Trees

Choosing the Christmas tree should feel like the start of the season, not a race to get in and out before the children get cold, tired, or bored. A visit to Paul’s Christmas Trees can be a lovely family outing when children have small jobs, simple games, and a bit of festive magic to keep them involved.

The trick is to make the tree hunt feel like an adventure. Children love being part of decisions, especially when those decisions sparkle with fairy lights, decorations, and the promise of Christmas morning. With a little planning, the visit can become one of those family moments everyone talks about long after the tree has come down.

Here are five warm, easy ideas for keeping children entertained when picking your Christmas Tree, from playful challenges to photo traditions you can repeat every year.

1. Turn the tree hunt into a festive treasure trail

Children are natural explorers. Instead of asking them to “just look at trees”, give them things to spot as you walk around. A simple treasure trail keeps little hands and minds busy while adults compare size, shape, and freshness.

Before you arrive, make a short list on your phone or a small card. Keep it easy for younger children and a little more detailed for older ones.

Try asking them to find:

• A tree that is taller than an adult

• A tree with soft-looking branches

• A tree with a perfect pointy top

• A tree that smells especially Christmassy

• A tiny pine cone, if there are any around

• The “fluffiest” tree in the row

• A tree that looks ready for a star

  
  

Children do not need to find every item. The aim is to give them a reason to look closely. It also helps them notice the differences between trees, which makes them part of the decision rather than a passenger on the trip.

For very young children, use colour and shape prompts. Say, “Can you find a tree with branches like little shelves?” or “Which one looks like it would wear baubles well?” These questions are playful, but they also teach children what makes a good Christmas tree.

For older children, add a little challenge. Ask them to choose three possible trees and explain why each one could work at home. They can think about height, width, branch gaps, and where the decorations might sit.

A treasure trail also slows the visit down in a good way. Rather than rushing past rows of trees, everyone starts noticing details. That is often when the right tree stands out.

2. Give children a real job in choosing the tree

Children behave better when they feel useful. A visit to Paul’s Christmas Trees is a great chance to give them a role that matters, even if the final choice stays with the adults.

Before setting off, talk about what kind of tree will suit your home. This helps children understand that you are not just picking the biggest one in sight. You are looking for the right tree for your room, your decorations, and your family traditions.

Give each child a job such as:

• Measuring helper

• They can hold one end of a tape measure, or help compare trees against a known height.

  
  

• Shape checker

• They look for a tree that is even on all sides, with a nice full shape.

  
  

• Decoration planner

• They imagine where favourite baubles, tinsel, or handmade decorations might go.

  
  

• Top branch tester

• They check whether the top looks strong enough for a star, angel, or bow.

  
  

• Family vote collector

• They ask everyone to give each shortlisted tree a score out of five.

  
  

If you have more than one child, give each one a different job. This can reduce arguments because everyone has their own part to play. It also makes the final choice feel like a team decision.

A useful tip is to create a shortlist. Pick two or three trees that fit your space, then let the children compare them. Ask questions such as:

• “Which one has the best shape?”

• “Which one would fit by the window?”

• “Where would the big gold bauble go?”

• “Does this one have room for the decorations you made?”

  
  

This keeps the conversation light while still guiding children towards practical thinking. They learn that choosing a Christmas tree is not only about size. It is about the feeling it brings into the home.

If your visit lines up with the Paul's Christmas Trees Sale M33, children can still focus on the fun while adults handle the practical details. Keep them involved in what they can see, touch, and imagine.

3. Play the “which tree would you be?” game

This is a wonderfully silly game, and it works well when children need a burst of fun. As you walk through the trees, ask each person to choose a tree that matches their personality.

One tree might be tall and dramatic. Another might be short, round, and cheerful. One might have a wonky branch that makes everyone laugh. Children enjoy giving trees characters, names, and stories.

You can ask:

• “Which tree looks shy?”

• “Which one looks like it tells good jokes?”

• “Which tree would be the best dancer?”

• “Which one looks like it loves presents?”

• “Which tree would our dog or cat choose?”

  
  

This game is especially helpful if the adults need a little more time to decide. It keeps children near the trees, engaged with the visit, and connected to the reason you are there.

You can also turn it into a gentle storytelling activity. Let your child pick a tree and make up a short story about it. Maybe it grew up dreaming of wearing red baubles. Maybe it wants to stand near a fireplace. Maybe it hopes a handmade paper angel will sit on top.

There is no need to make this complicated. A few questions can fill the visit with laughter.

For older children, try a family awards ceremony. Pick categories as you go, such as:

• Best tree for a tiny cottage

• Best tree for a grand hallway

• Best tree for colourful decorations

• Best tree for homemade ornaments

• Best tree for a Christmas film scene

  
  

This invites children to look carefully while using imagination. It also gives everyone something to discuss besides “Are we done yet?”

The real benefit is mood. Children remember how the day felt. If tree choosing becomes playful, warm, and full of small family jokes, they are more likely to look forward to it next year.

4. Bring a mini craft idea for after the visit

A Christmas tree outing does not have to end once the tree is chosen. You can build excitement by linking the visit to a simple craft at home. This gives children something to look forward to while you handle the practical parts, such as transporting the tree and getting it into position.

Keep the craft simple, low-mess, and tree-related.

Make a “my tree choice” drawing

Ask children to draw the tree you chose. They can add baubles, lights, presents, and a star. If they are old enough, they can write the tree’s name or a sentence about why they liked it.

This is a lovely way to capture their view of the day. Their drawing might show the tree as enormous, sparkly, and slightly magical, which is exactly how Christmas can feel when you are small.

Create paper baubles for the first decorating session

Cut circles from coloured card and let children decorate them with crayons, stickers, or glitter pens. Punch a small hole at the top and tie with string.

You can make a rule that the first decorations to go on the tree are the ones made after choosing it. Over time, this becomes a sweet tradition. You might even save one or two each year and write the date on the back.

Make a tree name tag

Many families name their Christmas tree for fun. Children might choose something classic, silly, or grand, like Sprucey, Mr Twinkle, Queen Fir, or Bob.

Create a small tag with the tree’s name and the year. You can place it near the base of the tree or keep it in a Christmas memory box.

Start a Christmas tree scrapbook

If your family enjoys keepsakes, keep one page each year for the tree outing. Add a photo, a drawing, a pressed needle if suitable, and a few lines about the day.

Prompts could include:

• The tree we chose was…

• My favourite part of the visit was…

• Our tree looked like…

• The funniest moment was…

• Next year I want to…

  
  

This turns a simple trip into a record of growing children, changing tastes, and family memories.

5. Create a photo tradition you can repeat every year

Photos are one of the easiest ways to turn your Christmas tree visit into a family tradition. They do not need to be polished or posed. The best ones often capture muddy boots, rosy cheeks, excited faces, and children pointing proudly at “their” tree.

Pick one photo idea and repeat it every year. Children love seeing how much they have grown, and adults get a beautiful record of family Christmases.

Try one of these traditions:

• Take a photo beside the chosen tree before it comes home.

• Photograph children holding the tree tag or standing next to the trunk.

• Take a “tree height” photo, with children standing beside it each year.

• Capture the moment they point to the tree they helped choose.

• Take a funny face photo before the sensible family photo.

• Photograph the first decoration going on at home.

  
  

If your children are reluctant to pose, let them direct one photo. They can choose where everyone stands, what silly face to pull, or which decoration to hold. Giving them control often leads to more natural smiles.

You could also start a “same pose every year” tradition. Maybe everyone stands in a line by the tree. Maybe children make antlers with their hands. Maybe the family holds up five fingers, then six, then seven as the years go by. It does not have to be perfect. It only has to be yours.

For babies and toddlers, keep it quick. A short cuddle photo by the trees might be enough. For older children, ask them to choose the official family tree photo. They might enjoy becoming the memory keeper for the day.

A good photo tradition keeps the focus where it belongs, on shared time. The tree is the reason for the outing, but the memory is the real gift.

Small comforts that make the visit easier

A little preparation can make the whole trip smoother, especially when the weather is chilly or children are running on Christmas excitement.

Pack or plan for:

• Warm coats, hats, and gloves

• Sensible shoes or wellies

• A snack for afterwards

• Wet wipes or tissues

• A phone with enough battery for photos

• A tape measure if you need a specific tree height

• A note of your ceiling height and where the tree will stand

  
  

It also helps to set expectations before you arrive. Tell children what will happen in simple steps.

For example:

“We’re going to look at the trees, choose our favourites, take a photo, then bring our tree home.”

Children often feel calmer when they know the plan. If they are very young, keep the visit short and focused. If they are older, let them help steer the process.

You can also build in a small reward that is part of the tradition, such as hot chocolate at home while the tree settles, a Christmas film after decorating, or choosing one song to play when the lights go on.

Make the tree trip part of Christmas, not just an errand

Children do not need constant entertainment to enjoy choosing a Christmas tree. They need a role, a little imagination, and moments that feel special. A treasure trail, a helpful job, a silly tree game, a simple craft, and a yearly photo can turn the visit into something they genuinely look forward to.

The tree you bring home will stand in the corner for a few festive weeks. The tradition you build around choosing it can last much longer. Keep it simple, keep it warm, and let children feel that the Christmas magic starts the moment the family begins looking for the perfect tree.