4 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained During the Hectic Holidays

Summer vacations go by quickly because kids have tons of activities to keep them busy while they are out of school. From camp, sports and swimming to playdates, family visits and vacations, the warm weather seems to offer endless entertainment possibilities. On the other hand, our options to keep kids busy may feel fewer and farther between on cold and grey December days — but not to worry, with a little bit of creativity and planning, your children don’t need to end up spending the holidays indoors in front of a screen.

1. Get Crafting

Let’s take our crafting skills to the cookies this year. Holiday cookies are usually a must, so even if you aren’t a baker, you can get some premade cookie dough along with frosting, sprinkles and the works, and — between baking, decorating and eating — your kids will be entertained for a whole afternoon.

If you are feeling inspired (or you can go online to find inspiration), you may also help them create homemade gifts and ornaments. A great way to make these special for your friends and family is to prepare photo gifts like frames, magnets and ornaments using pictures of your kids — or the whole family. By creating and crafting homemade gifts and ornaments, children are using their fine motor skills and creativity in a fun and positive way.

2. Take Part in a Playdate Toy Swap

During this time of year, connecting with others in the neighborhood is so important, especially as the weather gets cold and people are not congregating outside as often. Consider organizing a book, gift or cookie swap playdate with your children’s friends, where kids can trade gifts and play together with the toys they swapped, all while enjoying those holiday cookies. (At this point, you may just decide to host a holiday party — consider making it a potluck, so you don’t do it all!) Not only does this enhance the holiday spirit, but your children are maintaining social skills and having fun with their friends. This is also a great way to get some holiday wrapping done while the little ones are preoccupied!

3. Adapt Outdoor Activities for Winter

Some outdoor activities we all look forward to participating in from spring through fall may be adapted for the whole family to enjoy indoors during the wintertime. For example, everyone’s favorite campfire dessert of a toasted marshmallow with chocolate and graham crackers is just as much fun to prepare in a fireplace as it is on an open fire. If you don’t have a fireplace, consider planning a holiday picnic on the living room carpet or playing restaurant — where children of all ages can help prepare the menu, decorations and meals.

If you have a finished basement, or no downstairs neighbors to make a noise complaint, you may also set up yard and lawn games like ring toss, cornhole, ladder toss, bocce ball or oversized Jenga. Otherwise, you can keep it more quiet with cards, board games and charades. To make things fun and competitive, ask the children to design a holiday tournament, which may be as big or as small as your family needs, from a single afternoon of fun to a multiday, multisport event — where the kids can also plan the awards ceremony and the prizes.

4. Bring Back the Timeless Classics

There are other activities you don’t need to wait until the summertime to do because they work just as well in the cold season, such as a pillow fight, hide and seek or sliding down the stairs. (Did you know you can buy an indoor slide that goes on the stairs?) You may also help your children build an indoor fort out of boxes, blankets and pillows. Depending on how many boxes you can dedicate to the project and how big they are, kids may also design doors and windows, and decorate the walls with paint or markers — perhaps with a North Pole theme.

Finally, to practice storytelling and the dramatic arts, encourage your kids to put on a show for the family and friends during your holiday gatherings. They can write their own original story or reproduce a beloved book, movie or play — ideally with a holiday theme. With your help, they may also plan costumes or create puppets using clothes and craft supplies you have lying around the house. Don’t forget to encourage performers and puppeteers alike to practice their presentation before the big day. Then sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

This time of year usually causes us to pause and reflect on our own childhood — from the Christmas tree or menorah to shaking the beautifully wrapped packages, building a snowman or going sledding, driving around the neighborhood to look at the lights, not to mention the many family gatherings, carols, school or church performances, as well as unique local and family traditions. Years from now, these will be the kinds of memories your own children will look back upon and strive to recreate for their own families. Wishing you and your loved ones a magical holiday season!