As a foster parent in Northern Ireland, are you looking for something exciting to do with your kids this festive season? If so, have you considered a day at the Belfast Christmas Market? Not only is there much to see and do, and best of all eat, but you’d be in the capital city where there is a ton of other things to explore. Why not make a weekend of it? But for now, let’s look at some of what will delight them at the Belfast Christmas Market.

First – A Bit About Logistics

This year, 2022, the market will run from the 19^th of November until the 22^nd of December. The dates and times are listed on the Belfast Christmas Market website, so you’ll want to refer to that. They give you exact location information as well as links to hotels in Belfast if you’re to make a weekend of it and also a listing of other markets you might like to explore. Fostering in Northern Ireland could never be more fun than this! Not only will the crowds and festive lights excite your kids, but you may learn a lot about the things that interest them. This is handy information going forward when looking for things to entertain them at home.

Food, Food and More Food – A Foodie’s Paradise

There is an outdoor food court where you can sample cuisine from more than 32 countries from around the world. Have you ever tasted ostrich or wild boar? Chances are this is something your kids never tried, so maybe this will be an adventure in itself. Even so, what child doesn’t love pancakes or crepes? Bet they have never had a crocodile burger! You might even begin to learn some of the foods that they will eat for you at home. It’s a learning experience for you as well as a Christmas adventure for them.

Family Activities – A Bit of This and a Bit of That

As you would expect, there will be rides and other attractions to interest the kids. It is expected that this year will see a return of:

• The Santa Train
• A Long Snow Slide
• Olaf’s Ride (for Frozen Fans)
• Cathedral Gardens’ Observation Wheel

While mum and dad might not want to go down the snow slide, they can surely stand at the ready with their mobile phones to make lasting Christmas memories for the kids as they merrily slide on down. Bet they will be ‘frozen’ after that!

Wrapping It Up – Pun Intended

In the end, there is so much to see and do, most of which is outdoors, that you will want to wrap up warmly. It may not be so awfully bad in the daylight hours because the sun may provide a bit of warmth, if it’s shining that is. However, the evenings can get quite chill, so make sure everyone has warm jackets, hats, mittens or gloves, and don’t forget that scarf to tie around their neck and mouth as a natural way to breathe body heat back in to the body. Don’t let the frost interfere with making those memories you want to last a lifetime. That’s the biggest part of the festive season and something you can give your kids who really, really need these memories.