The kids are counting down the days til their winter break, and then once it begins, parents often count down til school resumes.  We know that although kids look forward to their end of the year holiday break for weeks in advance, once it begins, they are often bored and at a loss for ways to fill their time. Like many parents, you are probably hoping to find ways for your kids to entertain themselves so you can have the time and space for your work projects and holiday preparations.  At the same time, you want to find activities that aren't expensive and that don't involve hours of "screen time."
 
We've listed ways our own families and our clients have enjoyed our winter breaks. Pick a few and try them out.  Maybe one or two will become a new family tradition in your home.

TIME TO PLAY CATCH UP. . .

• Catch up on haircuts, medical appointments and dental checkups. 
• Get tutoring in a special area your child may be finding difficult. 
  
  • Ask the teacher for suggestions regarding the materials/content to cover. 
    
  • Find a college student home for the holidays or a professional tutor who could meet with your child several hours a week.  They can hone their skills and boost their confidence at the same time.
• Clean out the closets (out with the old, worn-out, and small clothes to make space for new ones). Clean off toy shelves, too!
  

• Learn a new craft - for example, learn to knit from a family member or friend or  learn to use the sewing machine.
• Read the camera manual and learn ways to take picture than just using "Auto."
• Be a family reporter and put together a radio show, podcast, video, or newsletter using all the information you gathered from family members.
• Work a jigsaw puzzle.
• Play board games.
• Make your own play-doh. If you make the kind you bake, you can make new holiday ornaments.
• Create new Trivial Pursuit questions for the family and your friends to play with new categories like Family, Holidays, and Cartoons.
• Learn how to solve a Rubik's Cube.
• Play Dress-Up.
• Go Iceskating.
• Splash around.  Many local community centers offer day passes to their indoor pools.

• If your family has seldom used food  appliances, dust them off and try to make something. For example, use an old fashioned pasta machine, and then eat the delicious results!
• Bake and decorate cookies.
• Build a Gingerbread house using graham crackers, icing/frosting, and candies from the grocery store.

• Volunteer at a local food shelter.  Some shelters have family night where you and your kids can help prepare and serve the meals.
• Visit an elderly relative or a new Mom.  Bring a homemade card or some treat (e.g.,
• banana bread or a big fruit salad).
• Teach a younger sibling to do something that you already know how to do well.
• Offer to wrap presents for other family members and friends.  It's fun, and sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll get a tip for all your hard work!