As soon as the calendar flips to December, kids begin to eagerly anticipate holiday break. But when the bell rings on the last day of school, reality sets in for parents—how are you going to keep your kids engaged in learning and entertained while they are off of school?
Keeping little minds and bodies active can feel like a full-time job. The good news? Entertaining kids over the holidays doesn’t require elaborate plans, expensive toys or constant screen time.
Whether you’re juggling work, hosting family or just trying to make it through all of your obligations this time of year, here are eight low-stress activities that will help keep your kids entertained during holiday break.
Read Inside A Blanket Fort
You might already have an area in your house that’s devoted to reading. But kicking the activity up a notch by reading a story inside of a blanket fort is a great way to spend a snowy afternoon. It can also keep your child interested in reading over the break. Start by gathering blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. Once you create your blanket fort, have your kids grab their favorite books and settle in for a day of reading.
Go Ice Skating
Ice skating is a wonderful holiday break activity for kids because it combines fun, exercise and seasonal magic. Ice skating improves balance and coordination, and gives kids confidence as they learn new skills. Most skating rinks offer walkers that new skaters can use to help them learn how to balance on the ice. Many towns build seasonal outdoor ice skating rinks. Invite their friends from school and have a fun afternoon ice skating!
Paint The Snow
If you have snow outside, bundle up the kids and paint the snow! Simply fill a water spray bottle with food coloring, and send them out to paint the snow. Kids love to see the white snow turn colors, and they can get some energy out by running around outside.
Have A Christmas Movie Marathon
When I was a kid, an annual tradition was watching classic movies on VHS. Now, you can stream so many great holiday movies. Have everyone in the family choose their favorite movie, and either watch one a night or spend the day in your jammies and binge watch all of them together.
Throw A Housecleaning Party
It doesn’t sound like entertainment, but adding music and snacks to boring chores can be a fun way to get your kids to tidy up for the holidays. Turn on the holiday music and have a dance party while dusting or cleaning up toys. Creating a point system for really unpleasant tasks—like cleaning their bedroom—can make it into a game your kids are eager to win.
Make Homemade Ornaments
Encouraging your kids to make an ornament for the tree is an activity that can easily become a holiday tradition. Plus, it’s fun to add the year the ornament was made to it, and enjoy how their handiwork evolves year to year. Some materials guaranteed to spark their creativity: Paper snowflakes, popsicle sticks, felt, glue, string, glitter, natural items from outdoors, construction paper.
Bake Together
Odds are that you have batches of cookies to make, so why not enlist your little helpers for the task? Kids will love getting some chef experience in the kitchen, and tasting the batter during the process is part of the fun.
Enjoy The Lights In Your Neighborhood
Each year, it seems like holiday decorations are put up earlier and earlier. Take a walk with your kids to check out the lights and decorations in your neighborhood. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some exercise. If your town has a light display, see if they offer a night where families can walk through the display.
