As students and teachers rejoice the long-awaited winter break is finally here, you may find yourself a bit panicked. Christmas vacation also signals it’s time to say so long to this year and welcome in the new one. Of course, it also means your kiddos will be out of school for two weeks. And you may be wondering how you will keep them engaged over the holiday. We have a few tips for you to keep your kiddos from turning into couch zombies. 

Fun Ideas to Keep Your Kids Busy 

“I’m Bored,” ever hear that from your child? If not, what is your secret? For those of us who have heard it a time or two, here are a few ways to keep them busy and having fun without a phone or gaming system. 

Dave Ramsy offers these tips to keep your parenting cool this winter break:

Bedroom Makeover

Let the kids decorate their own rooms for Christmas. They can make paper snowflakes, string lights, and even create ornaments for a small Christmas tree. (This is the perfect solution for those “ideas” you don’t want in the living room.)

Slime and Goop

Sneak in some science with Grinch Goop or Snowflake Slime. (Smaller kids may need supervision.

Check On the Reindeer

Did you know Santa has a live feed? (To make sure Blitzen doesn’t overdo the oats.) 

A REAL Home Movie

Create a movie using Lego figures, dolls, or themselves as the main characters. Don’t forget the commercials! 

Snow Painting

Water + Food Coloring + Plastic Squeeze Bottles = Snow Paint. The world is your child’s canvas. (And by “world,” I mean anything that is white and melts.

A Puppet Show

Have your children color these free Nativity characters, tape them on Popsicle sticks, and put on a nativity puppet show for Mom and Dad after supper. 

Feed the Birds

Make a few holiday bird feeders and hang them near a window. (Younger children may need some assistance.) 

Christmas Camping

Set up a tent inside the house and let the kids use it as a unique holiday fort for games, reading, and other quiet activities. 

Holiday Memory Game

Put matching Christmas stickers on the bottom of Hershey’s Kisses. (You get to eat the pair you match!)

Gingerbread Houses

Use graham crackers, frosting, and candy to build an edible candy cottage. (Try not to eat all your supplies before construction is complete.)

Christmas Light Scavenger Lists

Let the kids write a list of items you could see around the neighborhood, then do an after-dark pajama drive. Things on your list might include giant snowmen, Santa in his sleigh, a nativity set, blue lights, an inflatable Mickey Mouse, a train, moving lights, and so on. 

Volunteer

Encourage the kids to serve someone in the neighborhood, like shoveling snow for the widow next door. (See more tips like this.)

Homemade Ornaments

Make a different handmade Christmas ornament every year. Might I suggest this handprint version? 

Family Secret Santa (or Wonderful Wiseman)

Draw names and let each family member try to create little surprises and other sneaky ways to serve and bless each other over the holiday season. Then do a big reveal on Christmas Eve. 

Hot Chocolate Read-Alouds

Create a nightly reading ritual of sipping hot chocolate and listening to a book read out loud. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever is absolutely hilarious, relatively short, and carries a surprisingly meaningful message.
Here are a few ways you can crush the New Year!