It is easy to get lost in the busyness of the holidays, and not have time for your children. However, as parents, you need to slow down during the holidays and make time for your children now that they are young, active, and curious.
Experiences created during the holidays can last a lifetime and be cherished for a long time, so you will not want to deprive your children of such privileges. There are several ways to have fun during the holidays with your children.
In this article, you will learn about some of the best and most pocket-friendly ways to have fun with your children during the holiday. Continue reading to find out.
Holiday Fun with Kids: 5 Unforgettable Activities to Create Lasting Memories
Baking and Cooking Together
Who doesn’t love a holiday-themed cookie or traditional meal? Baking and cooking together is a fun activity that allows your children to spend time with you in the kitchen, learn new skills, and create delicious meals and treats.
There are lots of meals and treats that you explore and make together with the children. You can go for holiday-themed cookies and brownies like gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies.
You can choose traditional dishes like French toast, Italian pizza, sushi, or seafood. Also, you can allow kids to build their tacos while you teach them how to customize them by adding various fillings such as salsas and toppings.
For healthier options, you can roast turkey or ham, involving the kids in simple tasks like seasoning, basting, and garnishing.
Also, you can create festive fruit kebabs using skewers and a variety of colorful fruits and design a holiday-themed veggie platter, such as a Christmas tree made of broccoli with cherry tomato ornaments.
Holiday Crafts and DIY Decorations
Holiday crafts and DIY decorations are a great way to unleash creativity and bond with your children during the festive season.
Start by involving the children in gathering supplies such as paints, scissors, glue, paper, and other crafting materials.
There are lots of craft ideas you can explore. You can get a pre-made gingerbread house kit or bake one and allow the children to decorate the houses using candies, sprinkles, and chocolates. You can also design holiday cards together with the children and DIY gifts.
To make the experience and process more enjoyable, you can play a holiday-themed song or serve snacks and beverages.
You can even tell stories during the crafting experience. Crafting allows you to have fun with the children and teach them basic skills that will be useful to them as they grow older.
Holiday Movies and Storytime
There is no better way to laugh with children in the evening or morning than having a movie night or storytime. Create an inviting atmosphere where the kids can sit comfortably.
You can even get popcorn and drink. Choose an age-appropriate holiday movie, like “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Story,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.”
Ask open-ended questions to spark conversation and encourage the children to express their thoughts. This makes the whole process enjoyable. Storytime is also great for conversing, laughing, and bonding with the children.
You can create a comfy place to read stories outside or inside the house. You can use picture books for younger children.
There are lots of classic books you can go for, such as “The Night Before Christmas,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Polar Express,” and “The Nutcracker.” Ensure you don’t do the reading alone.
You can read a part, and the kids can read the other part. If the kids are still very young, you can read the wording and allow them to describe the picture.
Holiday Light Tours
There is always a house or park with elaborate Christmas displays. You just need to research the appropriate time to visit and see if there is any admission fee.
There is something magical about gazing at Christmas lights. It cannot be explained in words.
This gives you precious time to laugh and converse as you stare at the Christmas lights. You can even make it an annual family tradition.
Family Games and Puzzles
Family games and puzzles are fantastic activities to engage in during the holidays with the children.
Games and puzzles allow you, as a parent, to imbibe in your children a positive competitive spirit, where they learn to win and celebrate others’ success. There are lots of family and age-appropriate games and puzzles to choose from.
You can play board games like Scrabble, Clue, Ride, Catan, and Monopoly. Also, there are card games like Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and Exploding Kittens that can be played with children.
For a more active game, you can go for party games like Pictionary, Charades, Heads Up, and Telestrations. Trivia games where you get to test the knowledge level of your children are also an exciting option.
Karaoke
You can organize sing-alongs with family members, where you all sing along to your favorite classics like Deck the Halls,” “Silent Night,” and “Joy to the World or contemporary holiday and countryside music.
Note that you are not singing to be perfect, so appreciate the unique voices of each family member, whether they are singing offline or on key. The goal is to have fun together and laugh.
Ice Skating
You can easily sip into the habit of staying indoors during the cooler months, but your children need to remain active during this holiday, and one of the best ways is to take them to ice skating. Ice skating is not only a fun activity but offers terrific healthy benefits.
Ice skating improves the posture, flexibility, and resilience of your children. Check for your town’s ice skating rink to register your kids this holiday.
Conclusion
Whether your children love staying indoors or going outside, these activities are ideal. They are fun-filled and allow them to learn new skills, expand their knowledge, or exercise their body and mind.
And what is better than spending time with your lovely children and creating long-lasting memories together? Have a fun-filled holiday with your children!