This is the first year in my kids’ lives that they will be home the entire winter break. No trips to grandparents’ houses, no vacations; but we will have a bunch of time to spend together at home. For that, we are all very grateful. Given all this time, I hope to do some fun things with them (and away from screens as much as possible). Here are some ideas:
Puzzles & Games:
Jigsaws - whether online or tangible puzzles, jigsaws are always fun to do together.
Set up a scavenger hunt around the house.
Make up a new game. Here’s one we have been playing a lot: Addagram - start with one letter that spells a word or a two letter word. The next person adds a letter to the word and anagram the letters as you build. Take turns as the word lengthens. For example: A, PA, TAP, TAPE… The goal is to make the longest word you can!
Free Lego Mini-build. Each month, Lego has a mini build with free instructions online. What a great way to use the ones that are just sitting around!
Play some of our favorite games virtually with Board Game Arena.
Book a Virtual Puzzle Solving Session with a group of friends at Solving Fun.
Virtual Escape Rooms:
Puzzah, a company that does real escape rooms, has created a very fun (free) winter holiday puzzle adventure for kids online.
Suburban Mom has an entire list that we love! Most have been made by kids for kids. Recommended ages are listed (from preschool to teens).
Outdoor Activities:
Hiking
Snow play
Decorate an outdoor tree.
Create a bird feeder with a toilet paper roll, bird seed, and peanut butter or try one of these holiday themed ones.
Go for a walk and play some of the games shared in “4 Ways to Make a Family Walk More Fun”.
Creative baking: Try making something sweet that looks like something savory.
Baked potato cakes,
Hamburger cookies,
Pizza Rice Krispie treats.
Crafts:
Collect leaves and make leaf art, leaf faces.
Journaling together or scrapbooking.
Coloring paper from the Amazon boxes to create wrapping paper.
Maybe not as fun, but certainly meaningful:
Choose items to donate.
Clean out a closet or toy bin together. Here are some ways to have fun with kids while organizing.
Write thank you notes or letters to someone you haven’t seen in a while.
What creative ideas do you have to share?
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