Fun ideas to spend Three Kings' afternoon without remembering the parade 2026

The afternoon of Three Kings in 2021 is going to be as strange as the rest of Christmas. As much as we may have gotten used to not spending Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve as usual, not having a parade to go to with the little ones in the family and not even being able to watch our city's parade on television forces us all to look for alternatives so that nostalgia does not invade us.

Also taking into account that January 5 is usually a very cold afternoon, that social and health restrictions limit options outside and that it is time to go to bed early because otherwise Their Majesties will not arrive home soon, the plans have to be mostly homemade.

Amazon Essentials by Sofia Grainge - Summer 2026 Promotion

We have come up with at least eight fun ideas, seven of them in the warmth of the heating at home and an eighth outdoors, thus speeding up the last hours of the most peculiar Christmas of our lives.

Make homemade roscón

It is not an easy bun to make, but there are quick and simplified versions of this typical afternoon and Three Kings Day recipe. It may not be as good as the one from your favorite pastry shop, but you will never have had it as special as this if you opt for the option of making a homemade roscón as a family.

And if you are not sure, order a larger one than usual and make a double portion of roscón, on the afternoon of the 5th and the morning of the 6th. The sacrifices of this Christmas deserve a proper farewell.

Dress up as Three Wise Men at home

We propose a challenge that can be very fun if you have little ones at home: search in the storage room, in the closets and wherever necessary at home to recreate your own Three Kings parade with three costumes of Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar. Laughter is guaranteed.

Getting things ready for early bedtime

It is the traditional plan, which you generally do in a hurry because the ride delays the entire routine, and finally it can be done calmly. Let each member of the family choose their shoe, also prepare the drink and snack that you are going to leave for the Kings and also enough water for the camels. And since this year there is plenty of time, you can suggest that the children make them a personal drawing as a gift or leave them a loving note.

Paint the Kings on their dromedaries

Why not do an afternoon of themed painting about the Three Wise Men? Whether with crayons, colored pencils, watercolors and even with your hands if you have paint of this type at home. Any option is valid so that the little ones forget about the parade but not about the Three Wise Men. And on top of that, you can leave your best painting as a gift to your favorite king.

Sing and dance the latest Christmas carols

Technically, although in some countries it is no longer so, in Spain the afternoon of January 5 is Christmas, so Christmas carols can still be blasted at home. If you are one of those who have fun singing them as a family, this year's Three Kings' afternoon is crying out for it, and if you end up fed up with them before New Year's Eve, keep in mind that the little ones like them and that it will be the last time you have to make the effort for many months.

The last afternoon family cinema with the family

This year the lists of the best family Christmas movies are more trite than other years in which many more plans were made outside the home, but Netflix and the company knew this and that is why they have released more Christmas titles at once than ever, so we are sure that you have not seen some of them yet. Make some popcorn, grab the family blanket and turn off the lights to enjoy the last evening of Christmas movies this holiday season.

Family board games

Thank goodness that this pandemic has caught most of us with plenty of board games at home to rescue many seemingly boring afternoons and turn them into family gold. They have been in fashion again for a long time and everyone has at least a couple of fun games at home. There is not always time to enjoy them with the family, so Three Kings' afternoon is perfect for it.

ice skating

Most of the outdoor ice skating rinks remain open until Three Kings Day, so you have time to bundle up and show your skills to be part of the casting of 'Frozen 3'. There will be those who spend half a skating session literally on the ice and those who will fly on the rink, but everyone's jaw will hurt from laughing. A classic that never fails in ice skating.