The kids are off from school and the holidays are quickly approaching, but they haven’t arrived quite yet. So how do you keep your children entertained in the meantime? Although you’d be able to get away with handing each child an iPad and a cup of hot chocolate with holiday movies as background noise, there are more interactive ways to spend time together as a family. Here are three entertaining activities for the whole family to try this winter break.
1. Make a Modern Family Video
Although this may sound daunting to you, it may not be to your children. Younger generations have more videography knowledge than we know, thanks to apps like Triller, YouTube, and Tik Tok. If video production and editing pique the interest of your children, help them use the extra time off to make a video as a family. Here are some ideas:
- A music video parodying your favorite holiday song
- A silly dance video or a serious dance video with choreography
- A holiday greeting video for extended family to replace your yearly snail mail card
- A short film (topic of their choosing)
2. A Community Service Project
Community service benefits the recipients, but also works reversely to improve the lives of participants and organizers. During winter break, excess time allows creative minds the freedom to think of numerous ways to help both their communities and those who are less fortunate. Especially during the holidays, many organizations are in need of extra hands on deck. Your children may choose to help one of those groups or start a community outreach of their own. Some potential ideas to start with:
- Partner with the Christmas Angel Program of the Salvation Army
- Serve meals to the hungry
- Collect and distribute blankets and jackets for the homeless
- Volunteer at the local animal shelter
- Visit a nursing home or hospice center
- Send care packages to deployed military members
- Lead or participate in a community cleanup effort
3. Enjoy the Winter Weather
Last, but certainly not least, if your children need a bit of sunlight, encourage them to get out and experience the weather. Mother nature only grants us a few months a year to bundle up and enjoy all that winter has to offer. If you’re fortunate enough to live in a state where snow is abundant, here is a list of kid-friendly outdoor winter activities to try:
- Go ice skating
- Blow snow bubbles
- Build a snow castle instead of a sandcastle (use the same tools)
- Make colorful snow people or animals (with food coloring)
- Go sledding
- Snow treasure hunt (to find buried items)
Don’t let this winter break pass by without creating memorable moments with your children. With technology at your fingertips, beautiful weather waiting outside your door and plenty of community causes worth championing, there’s no shortage of things to do. Pick a few activities to tackle as a family and let the good times roll!
