It’s the holiday season! There’s lots of hustle and bustle during the holidays. We have huge shopping lists that may require trips to multiple stores, office parties, school concerts, or plays to attend. The list goes on and on.
Then, the kids are out of school, and there’s LOTS of down time. Suddenly, the kids are bored and don’t know what to do with themselves. Here’s a list of activities you can do with your kids to prevent some boredom this winter break.
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In the Kitchen
One thing many kids love to do is experiment. The kitchen is a great place for experimenting. This winter, you can get in the kitchen with your kiddos and do experiments with food by learning to cook a new meal, bake some bread, or a new dessert. This is a great time to try out a new recipe from your Pinterest board, or you can try a kid friendly subscription service that sends a recipe to your house with some sort of cooking utensil. The kitchen is also the best place to do some science experiments! There are subscription companies for science kits as well, or you can find some fun, kid-friendly ideas on YouTube too.
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Getting Crafty
Some kids are budding artists, and winter break is a great time to hone their craft. Take a trip to Thistle Creative Reuse in Denton and grab some supplies. Break out the color pencils, paint supplies, and crayons from your stash at home. Watch some how-to videos with the kids and make it a contest to see who can draw or paint the best bowl of fruit or something. You can also take the opportunity to learn a new craft like beading, painting rocks, crochet, sewing, or resin art!
Learn a New Skill
Maybe “learn” and “skill” aren’t the best words to use when out of school because the kids will immediately rebuff the idea. Let’s say “master an artistry” instead and teach the kids how to write a letter. They could write a letter to their friends or cousins they miss during the break, and then surprise the receivers with something just for them in the mail! This is also a great opportunity to teach the kids cursive, which is definitely a lost art. If the kids prefer technology, find a typing game and they can learn to type their letters without hunting & pecking.
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Indoor Play
During the winter months, there’s always inclement weather that keeps us indoors. When you can’t send the kids to the backyard to play, try building a huge fort in the living room. Camp out and make s’mores using the fireplace (or gas-burning range stove). You could also make popcorn and have a movie marathon. This is a great idea for play dates with friends too! Invite some of their besties over for indoor camping!
Getting Out & About
When cabin-fever has set in and you need to get out of the house, take the kids for a hike & a Happy Meal! Exploring a new park with hiking trails is a great way to burn some energy. Have you tried Corinth Community Park or North Lakes Park Trail? They can work up a hunger afterwards, so definitely pack a picnic or plan on stopping for a kids meal before heading home. There are also some art museums in Denton for your art lovers to enjoy in person. Might I suggest the 010 Student Gallery at TWU? You can also take an art class together at Hawaii Fluid Art! Don’t forget a trip to the local library or the nearest zoo when it offers discounted admission days. While en route to a fun location, you might also enjoy a new podcast with your kiddos!
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I hope you find this list of suggestions helpful during winter break this year. I know I plan to do at least one item from each category with my kiddos. Finally, I recommend checking out our list of Indoor Activities for Kids in Denton County for more great ideas!
