Break Activities for Families
For most families, winter break brings with it celebrations, decorations, a ton of food, and a whole lot of holiday fun. But what happens once the gifts are open, the New Year rings in, and there are still days left before the break’s over? Christmas has come and gone and New Year’s is only hours away, but most families still have a while before their kids make the trek back to school.
With nothing but time, cabin fever can set in quick, making the start of school look like a sweet reprieve for everyone.
We understand that playing with Christmas gifts can only go so far in keeping the kiddos entertained, so, to help you out, we’ve compiled a list of awesome, family-oriented activities that are specially designed to keep your holiday merry and bright.
Activities
1. Enjoy the season as a family
What better way to celebrate this season than to spend a little time outdoors in it? Rather than huddling in your nice, warm house, take some time to bundle up and enjoy the snow. Build a snowman, go sledding or have a family snowball fight. If you want to see the snow but not be in it, setting up a family nature walk is a great way to appreciate the beauty of winter. Spot different varieties of birds, collect leaves and twigs or take time to notice how things change with each season. The best part about being outdoors is you can always top it off with some nice hot chocolate and winter treats as a family.
2. Check out the lights
If you’re looking for something free and fun and think your family can handle a little time all squished in the same car, take a spin to see some of the wonderful Christmas displays still lighting up the night. This has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember, and nothing quite beats it for keeping the holiday spirit, especially when you can do it with little ones.
3. Bowl in the New Year
Maybe braving the winter cold just isn’t for you, but you still need out of the house. You’re not alone! There are still plenty of fun things to do while keeping warm indoors. One family activity that’s great not only during the break but year-round is bowling. It’s inexpensive, and there are great family bargains if you look for them.
One fun way to whittle away the break is to tackle the local tourist attractions. Sure you know they’re there, but, often times, things are just simply too busy for you to go and check them out.
5. Up your level of sophistication
Rather than just spend the entire holiday in front of the television or eating treats, take a trip as a family to gain a little culture. The Chicago area has a wide variety of museums and some beautiful holiday exhibits perfect for keeping the spirit of the season alive in your family.
6. Go to the movies
Whether it’s cuddling up with some popcorn for a good movie at home or capitalizing on inexpensive matinee pricing at the theater, this season is perfect for spending time as a family while catching a good flick. If you’re still in the mood for some holiday entertainment, check out some Christmas movies, or break out some of the movies you may have been gifted for the holidays.
7. Tackle things at home
Maybe spending money and going out aren’t quite for you, and you’d rather take care of the home front before sending the kids back to school. Now is a great time to get a head start on spring cleaning by setting up some family toy and clothing purges. With all the new items the holidays bring into your home, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and overloaded. Try choosing as a family old things to get rid of as the new ones come in. You can plan to use items at a yard sale, give them to a thrift store, hand them down to friends or family, or simply trash those that are old and broken.
8. Craft it up
Keep the family activities free and fun with some at-home and do-it-yourself style craft projects that can be catered to family members of all ages. From making paper snowflakes to indoor snowmen and edible snow, these tips and ideas are sure to provide hours of family fun with items you probably already have. Happy holidays!
Source: Heraldextra.com