A free online activity advent calendar has been launched by an Oxford charity to help keep children entertained this Christmas.

Home-Start Oxford, which supports children under five and their families across Oxfordshire, has developed the calendar to aid parents looking for affordable ways to entertain their children at Christmas.

The Blackbird Leys-based charity's initiative gives families an idea for a different activity to try each day without breaking the bank.

The calendar promises a variety of low cost or free ideas, spanning from baking gingerbread reindeer and crafting snowflake decorations to spotting festive lights on a winter walk.

Home-Start Oxford provides support to families dealing with issues such as mental health, illness, disability, abuse, addiction, isolation, relationship stress or poverty, offers this advent calendar as yet another form of assistance.

This is Oxfordshire: Advent reindeer gingerbread Advent reindeer gingerbread (Image: Contributed)The charity does this via one-on-one volunteer support and by hosting free child and parent groups.

Kerry Center, Home-Start Oxford’s head of family support said: "Christmas is a magical time but it can also be one of the hardest times for families, especially with the added cost of living pressures. We always have this in mind.

"It’s why our stay and play groups are free and why we run special free events over the summer holidays too.

"We decided to create the advent calendar for families so everyone can keep the Christmas spirit going but not have to worry about the expense that normally goes with it."

The advent calendar is just one of the many services Home-Start Oxford provides for families in need.

Further details about the events and services provided by the charity can be found on the charity's website.

The free online advent calendar is accessible via https://buff.ly/3GbP2lr.