It's almost Christmas. While the festive spirit is surely magically and makes all of us look forward to it, I certainly feel the despair of parents especially those of school going children. I am listing out few ideas that could help engage your kids during Christmas holidays.
Set up a Christmas tree
Talking about Christmas, the first thing that comes to my mind is Christmas tree. Try setting up a tree along with your kids. It's not only fun, but also kindles the creativity in your kids. You can also try making your own Christmas ornaments using minimal craft items. If you live in apartments or don't have much space in your home, you may alternatively try setting up a wall Christmas tree. Check out the video below on making Christmas ornaments and how to set up a wall Christmas tree. Those festive lights inside your home will certainly warm up the place and your kids will cherish those lovely moments.
Bake Christmas treats
Baking doesn't need any occasion. Does it? Then well, it is Christmas!! Try your hands at making Christmas themed cookies or apple cinnamon cake or simple cup cakes. Have your little baker by your side to help you at work. I guarantee you two things by involving your kid while preparing these treats - a lot of mess and loads of fun.
Watch Christmas movies together
Another fun thing to do is to watch Christmas movies together. One such movie I recently watched with my son is Christmas on Mistletoe Farm on Netflix. A widowed father along with his kids goes to his village to celebrate Christmas at his farm. It was quite funny and interesting. Kids will surely enjoy the movie as it is set up in a farm and shows the fun children have with the farm animals. Many lovely movies like Klaus, Christmas Chronicles, Robin Robin, The Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus, A storybots Christmas, Mighty Express: A Mighty Christmas etc. are quite entertaining and also share a message to the kids. So based on your kids age, choose a movie to watch together during their screen time. Running time of few movies I listed is just 30 minutes, so you can very well play it during your child's screen time.
Walk/ drive around neighbourhood
Are you bored engaging kids at home all through the day? It's time to get out and take a walk in your neighbourhood. Those colourful Christmas lights are sure to lift up your spirits. Alternatively you can go for a long drive in your car to check out the decorations in nearby areas or those in the shopping malls.
During this holiday season, there will be a lot of free and paid events for families to attend like light shows, Christmas decorations, parades, arts and crafts etc. Spend a day/ evening outside with your children and spend some quality time. I have listed 10 such interesting activities to do during Christmas and New Year in this link.
While being with your kid is quite delightful, I feel your mommy heart. It is longing for a little break and some alone time. Don't worry. I got you covered. Try the following with your little one instead.
Decluttering and organizing
Over a period of time, clothes, toys, books, crayons, craft items etc. get accumulated in our homes and many go unnoticed and unused amidst whole lot of stuff. So during every school break, make it a ritual to declutter and organize your kids room. Tell your kid to take a look into his room/ drawer/ cupboard/ closet one per day and segregate all those he doesn't need anymore. Also tell him to take charge and organize his room. Give those unused and unwanted items (in good condition) a new home, either by donating or selling. If your kid is 6 years or less, involve them while you declutter. Ask them what items they would like to retain and explain them why they should or shouldn't retain those. While you tidy up the space at your home, you are also instilling an important life lesson in your child.
Winter themed activities
Many libraries and organizations conduct winter themed classes/ events for free. You may enroll your kid(s) in those. Also give them some worksheets which are fun as well as enriching. You may download them from online and use. I have designed few worksheets covering English, Maths, critical thinking and colouring. You can download them at no cost from the link here.
Gift an engaging Christmas present
Get your child a Christmas present not only satisfying their fantasy, but equally keeping them occupied. Best options would be activity/ craft/ sticker books, puzzle games, word games, building blocks (lego, magnetic blocks etc.), erase and reuse colouring mats and likewise. Below are few good products that are tried and tested by us and makes good Christmas gifts for your child. Click on the links to view.
Plan and organize play dates with your kid's friends. You may have them at home or meet at parks (if you live in not so colder countries like Canada), ice skating, indoor play areas, pizza making or cake baking, etc. It is better to plan anywhere but home, so that it saves you cleaning the mess after the date 😜Also you don't have to meet all your little man's friends the same day. Plan to have meet ups with just one or two, twice or thrice a week. 4 or 5 such play dates can help you easily knock off the 2 weeks Winter break.
Plan get togethers
Winter is the best time to catch up with friends and family. Have them over or you can go to their place to spend a day or two. While kids enjoy the company of their friends/cousins, you can have some quality time with your dear ones. The advantage is, you can take a pause and relax while your kids are busy in their world. And with more helping hands, you can cook together and relish delicious food or get together over a pot luck. Or even better, for a change, have men work in the kitchen. Sounds like fun? Then what's stopping you?
I hope these 10 ideas help you sail through the holidays and motivates you to come up with few more innovative ones. Please share how you engage them. I would love to try those.
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Finally, Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
A very happy Christmas
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