The winter chill has set in and the kids are home for winter break! Though icy weather may make you want to hunker down with hot chocolate, don’t let cabin fever set in. There are plenty of family fun activities perfect for the season no matter your kids’ ages. Here are 9 ways to fill all those free days off with such fun your kiddos will be shocked that this break flew by faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve!
1. Get Crafty with Winter Decor
Unleash your creative powers together! Craft pom pom garlands, pine cone animals, melted snowman candles, or custom snow globes to deck your halls. Have older kids sketch holiday banners or paint window clings for a festive touch. Display your gallery of icy masterpieces to admire all throughout the holidays!
2. Have an Indoor Picnic
Spread out your favorite fuzzy blanket and put together a wintery basket of snacks to enjoy campground style without leaving the living room! Make simple snowflake sandwiches or create an indoor s’mores bar. Bring the outdoors inside with nature books, board games, and cozy conversations for quality family bonding time.
3. Choreograph a Winter Dance
Let your kids choreograph an original dance routine set to their favorite festive tunes! Silly group moves like the penguin waddle or reindeer prance always make for memorable family productions. Then have your tiny troupe perform their number dressed in crazy costumes—don’t forget the glitter and fake snow! Record their routine to enjoy for winters to come.
4. DIY Snowglobes and Winter Slime
Spark creativity by crafting snow globes using baby food jars and glitter or conjuring up sparkly “snow” slime together. Customize magical designs and silly creatures that reflect your child’s unique personality and watch their faces glow seeing their icy inventions come to life! This is a fun indoor activity for kids all ages to let their imagination run wild.
5. Bake Holiday Treats Galore
‘Tis the season for drool-worthy baked goods! Bake bite-sized gingerbread men, scrumptious sugar cookies decorated to the nines, or melt-in-your-mouth fudge. Older kids can try their hand at holiday bread loaves or cake pops. Warm up your home with the sweet scents of cinnamon and spice wafting from your happy homemade treat factory!
6. Have a Christmas Carol Karaoke Jam
Bust out the hairbrushes, use the broomsticks as pretend mics, and belt out your best Christmas carols together! Harmonize as a family to your favorite tunes or have a battle of the bands if you’re up for friendly competition. Spread Christmas cheer whether you’re all pitch perfect singers or totally tone deaf!
7. Volunteer as a Family
There’s no greater feeling than giving back to those in need. Look for local organizations in need of caring helpers to wrap gifts, serve meals, donate food to pantries, or send cheerful holiday cards to hospitalized kids or lonely seniors. Giving back side-by-side deepens gratitude and warm fuzzies all around!
8. Catch Up on Classic Holiday Flicks
What better way to spend a cozy winter day than watching festive family films tucked under comfy blankets together? Make popcorn strings to munch on while you binge the best Christmas classics. Ask kids to design their own movie theater tickets for memorable souvenirs. Don’t forget to take funny family photo booth style shots reenacting favorite scenes!
9. Spark Wintery Adventures
When cabin fever strikes, take your restless sleigh riders out for some classic outdoor winter fun. Build snowmen, have a friendly snowball fight, go sledding or ice skating, search for animal tracks, or sip hot chocolate during a winter hike or evening stroll to gaze at dazzling light displays in your neighborhood. Greet frosty weather as a magical playmate ready for your family’s wildest imagination!
While your kids are home from school this winter break, remember the most important thing to do is simply take time to relax and enjoy time with with love ones (and who says that can’t also include a little bit of slime making!) However you and your kids spread holiday cheer, Schola wishes your families all a holly jolly winter break!