45 things to watch on TV with your kids this Christmas 2016

It wouldn’t be Christmas without at least some time spent lazing in front of the television. If you don’t have the patience to scour the TV guide, then this post is for you. Here’s 45 ideas of things to watch on TV with your kids this Christmas, from Christmas Eve to Bank Holiday Tuesday 27th December 2016, mostly on terrestrial TV.

Will you be watching any of them?

The featured picture is from Channel 4’s adaptation of Michael Rosen’s wonderful children’s book, which will be broadcast at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve.

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CHRISTMAS EVE – Saturday 24^th December

Olive, the Other Reindeer

6.15am, Channel 4

Cartoon featuring a dog who sets out to save Christmas.

Father Christmas

8.40am, Channel 4

The classic Raymond Briggs animation explores what Santa does on the other 364 days of the year.

Despicable Me

11.20am-1.20pm, ITV

Baddie Gru finds his position as world’s greatest leader threatened by an up-and-comer.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

1.30pm, ITV

The first film in the franchise sees the boy wizard trying to find a blood-red stone.

One Hundred and One Dalmatians

4.20pm, ITV

Can a brood of cute Dalmatian pups escape the evil Cruella De Vil’s plans to turn them into a fur coat?

Shrek The Halls

4.30pm, BBC1

Animated mini adventure sees Shrek’s plans for a quiet Christmas thwarted by his friends.

Penguins of Madagascar

4.50pm, BBC1

After success in the three Madagascar films, penguin brothers Skipper, Kowalski and Rio get their own movie.

The Snowman / The Snowman and the Snowdog

4.45pm/5.15pm, Channel 4

Christmas classic The Snowman sees a little boy’s creation come to life. The follow-up sees

The Muppets Christmas Carol

5.50pm, Channel 4

Michael Caine stars alongside Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and gang in this musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic.

CBeebies bedtime story – Justin Fletcher reads The Night Before Christmas

6.50pm, CBeebies

What better choice of book for the night before Christmas?

The Polar Express

6.55pm, Channel 4

A sceptical boy finds his belief restored thanks to a magical train ride to the North Pole.

We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

7.30pm, Channel 4

An animated version of Michael Rosen’s classic children’s book.

CHRISTMAS DAY – Sunday 25^th December

The Cat in the Hat

7.35am, BBC2

Dr Seuss’s classic tale is given the live action treatment.

CBeebies The Nutcracker

9am, BBC1

An all-singing panto version of the classic Christmas ballet.

Bee Movie

10.20am, BBC2

Animated adventure of a young honey bee as he heads to New Hive City and strikes up an unlikely friendship.

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas

Festive animated mini adventure featuring the characters of the films.

The Croods

11.50am, BBC1

Animated adventures of a stone-age family.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

11.55am, ITV

The boy wizard’s adventures continue.

The Sword in the Stone

12.20pm, Channel 4

Animated Disney musical film adapting the Arthurian myth.

The Farmer’s Llamas

1.20pm, BBC1

Shaun the Sheep tricks a farmer into buying three llamas.

The Wizard of Oz

2.10pm, C5

The classical musical sees Dorothy meets a scarecrow, lion and tinman in the colourful land of Oz.

Frozen

3.10pm, BBC1

Anna, Elsa, Olaf and gang get their first terrestrial screening in Disney’s highest grossing animated film.

The Lion King

3.10pm, ITV

Animated musical follows Simba the lion cub as his uncle attempts to prevent him becoming king.

Doctor Who

5.45pm, BBC1

Peter Capaldi returns as the Doctor in this Christmas special, which sees brain-swapping aliens attacking New York.

Home Alone

6pm, Channel 4

Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) outwits two burglars after he is accidentally left at home when his family goes on holiday.

BOXING DAY – Monday 26^th December

Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy

9am, BBC1

Pixie Hollow is at risk as a rogue fairy returns as a pirate.

Planes

10.10am, BBC1

Dusty enters a race, despite his fear of heights.

Brave

2.10pm, BBC1

Scottish princess Merida begs a witch for a spell to change her mother’s mind about marrying her off.

Sleeping Beauty

2.40pm, ITV

Princess Aurora pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and falls into a deep sleep.

The Gruffalo

4.05pm, BBC1

Animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s story of a mouse who takes a stroll in a deep dark wood.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

4.10pm, ITV

A darker, scarier edge in the third instalment of the boy wizard’s adventures.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

4.10pm, Channel 4

2005 film adaptation of the CS Lewis classic follows four siblings as they step through the wardrobe into the land of Narnia,

How to Train Your Dragon 2

4.30pm, BBC1

Fictional Viking world where Hiccup must contemplate adult responsibility.

Revolting Rhymes

6.30pm, BBC1

An animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s slightly sinister take on classic fairy tales. (Part 2 – Tuesday 27^th December, 6.30pm, BBC1)

Bank Holiday Tuesday 27^th December

Gnomeo and Juliet

9.10am, BBC1

Shakespeare’s classic romance is depicted by gnomes, frog sprinklers and pink flamingos.

The Furchester Hotel: A Furchester Christmas

10.25am, BBC1

Big Bird and Count Von Count visit Elmo at Christmas.

Cars 2

10.50am, BBC1

Lightning McQueen returns to take part in the first ever World Grand Prix.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

1.35pm, BBC1

Classic 1981 adventure film with Harrison Ford as intrepid archaeologist India Jones.

Teen Wolf

12.10pm, Channel 5

Michael J Fox stars as a basketball-playing teenager who turns into a wolf.

Bigfoot and the Hendersons

2pm, Channel 5

Eighties favourite follows a Seattle family who adopt a hairy beast.

Happy Feet

2.10pm, ITV

Animated adventures about a tap dancing penguin.

Mr Peabody and Sherman

3.50pm, BBC1

A genius dog and his adopted son travel back to the past in a time machine.

Labyrinth

4.10pm, Channel 5

Fantasy musical adventure starring David Bowie as the Goblin King.

Stuart Little

4.20pm, Channel 4

A mouse is adopted by humans.

Revolting Rhymes

6.30pm, BBC1

Second part of the animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s slightly sinister take on classic fairy tales.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

7.30pm, ITV

Harry’s adventures continue in the fourth film in the series (rated 12A).