50 things to watch on TV this holiday

Perfect for pre-schoolers

Get your little one excited for Christmas with one of these TV specials. With old classic The Snowman and the new CBeebies Panto, these telly treats will definitely keep your tot entertained over the festive season.

• Pinocchio, BBC2, 24th December, 9.50am
• The Snowman, C4, 24th December, 1.35pm
• Bedtime Stories, CBeebies, 24th December, 6.50pm
• CBeebies Panto, CBeebies, 24th December, 5pm
• Fireman Sam Christmas Special, Five, 25th December, 7am
• Noddy Saves Christmas, Five, 25th December, 7.55am
• Bob The Builder Christmas to Remember, CBeebies, 25th December, 3.55pm
• The Gruffalo, BBC1, 25th December, 5.30pm
• Piglet’s Big Movie, BBC1, 30th December, 10am
• Tigger Movie, BBC1, 30th December, 11.10am

Fun for 5-7 year olds

Have a family film sesh, with great movies including Roald Dahl's Matilda and classic Wallace & Gromit, or new TV programme James May’s Toy Stories, which sees James and his team build a two storey house made completely of LEGO!

• Scooby Doo Monsters Unleashed, ITV1, 19th December, 3.15pm
• Matilda, Five, 20th December, 3.30pm
• Johnny English, ITV1, 20th December, 3.50pm
• James May Toy Stories, BBC2, 20th December, 7pm
• Curious George, ITV1, 24th December, 10.25am
• Over the Hedge, BBC1, 24th December, 4.25pm
• Wallace & Gromit Wrong Trousers, BBC1, 24th December, 5.20pm
• Flushed Away, BBC1, 26th December, 3pm
• Wallace & Gromit in Curse of the Were Rabbit, BBC1, 26th December, 4.40pm
• Muppet Treasure Island, BBC1, 1st January, 11.05am

Entertainment for 8-10 year olds

There are some brilliant films for older children this festive season too. From imaginative favourites such as Nightmare before Christmas and Honey I Shrunk the Kids to brand new episodes of Doctor Who, you're spoilt for choice this year!

• Golden Compass, Sky Movies Family, 19th December, 11.40am
• Nightmare Before Christmas, BBC2, 20th December, 11.30am
• Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events , BBC3, 20th December, 7.25pm
• The Addams Family, Sky Movies Family, 21st December, 12 noon
• Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, BBC1, 24th December, 2.15pm
• Doctor Who 1, BBC1, 25th December, 6pm
• Bridge to Terabitha, BBC1, 26th December, 1.30pm
• March of the Penguins, ITV1, 26th December, 4.40pm
• Honey I Shrunk the Kids, BBC1, 29th December, 1.05pm
• Doctor Who 2, BBC1, 1st January, 6.40pm

Must-see animation

If you’re looking for a Christmas classic, look no further, as we’ve found some fantastic animated movies. Polar Express will certainly put you in the festive mood, or if you’re looking for ways to cheer everyone up after the excitement of Christmas day has passed, pop Chicken Run or Madagascar on - sure to bring smiles to little faces.

• James & the Giant Peach, C4, 23rd December, 12.05pm
• Shrek 2, BBC1, 24th December, 5.45pm
• Bee Movie, Sky Movies Family, 25th December, 10.50am
• Polar Express, ITV1, 25th December, 1.10pm
• The Incredibles, BBC1, 25th December, 3.10pm
• Happy Feet, ITV1, 25th December, 3.40pm
• Chicken Run, BBC1, 27th December, 3.05pm
• The Tale of Jack Frost, CBBC, 29th December, 5.15pm
• The Magic Roundabout, BBC1, 31st December, 9.55am
• Madagascar, BBC1, 31st December, 4pm

For all the family

No festive telly season would be complete without a couple of these vintage classics. With old favourites including The Railway Children, 101 Dalmations, Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music, it’s safe to say there’s plenty of top TV for all the family to enjoy this Christmas.

• Miracle on 34th Street, C4, 20th December, 5.15pm
• Shrek The Halls, BBC1, 25th December, 4.55pm
• Herbie Fully Loaded, BBC1, 26th December, 11.40am
• The Sound of Music, Sky Movies Family, 27th December, 1.10pm
• 101 Dalmatians, BBC1, 28th December, 2.55pm
• Wallace & Gromit, A Matter of Loaf and Death, BBC1, 28th December, 7pm
• 102 Dalmatians, BBC1, 29th December, 2.35pm
• The Borrowers, Sky Movies Family, 29th December, 6.25pm
• Mary Poppins, BBC1, 30th December, 3.35pm
• The Railway Children, ITV1, 1st January, 2.50pm