Arthur Christmas (Kids Cinema)

Arthur Christmas is screening at The Hub on Verulam on Thursday 24 December, as part of the cinema's kids' programme. It's an animated adventure that puts a spin on the Christmas Eve rush: Santa's youngest son has just two hours to deliver one forgotten present, and the whole thing is a race against the clock to get it sorted before the morning. It's the sort of story that works as well for the adults as it does for the little ones, so it's an easy one to bring the whole family along to.

Because it's screened as part of the kids' programme, it's set up for a younger crowd. The Hub's Toddler & Kids Cinema is where they run these family-friendly sessions, so it's a relaxed environment rather than a standard cinema outing. If you've got kids in tow, that's exactly what you want on Christmas Eve — a space where they can settle in without you worrying about every little stir.

Coming on the 24th, it's a proper Christmas Eve thing to do. If you're looking for a way to keep the kids occupied while the rest of the house is getting ready for the big day, this fits the bill. It's an hour or so of animation that keeps them entertained and out of the way for a bit, and since it's a kids' session, you're in a room full of other parents in the same boat.

Tickets are £8, and it's running on Thursday 24 December at The Hub on Verulam in St Albans. If you're after a low-stress way to spend the afternoon before the festivities really kick off, this is a simple one to slot in.