The Christmas school holidays are just around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about how to keep your little ones entertained and engaged during the break. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you'll want to make sure the kids have a fun and memorable experience. In this article, we'll explore 7 fun activities for Christmas school holidays 2019 that are sure to delight kids of all ages.
With the festive season in full swing, there's no shortage of exciting things to do and see. From decorating the house and baking Christmas cookies to watching holiday movies and singing carols, there's something for everyone to enjoy. But if you're looking for some more structured activities to keep the kids busy and happy, we've got you covered.
Activity 1: Create a Christmas Craft Station
Setting up a Christmas craft station is a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression in kids. You can provide a variety of materials such as paper, glue, scissors, glitter, and other craft supplies, and let the kids create their own unique Christmas crafts. Some ideas include making Christmas cards, decorating ornaments, and creating a festive holiday wreath.
Tips and Variations:
- Use recycled materials such as old cardboard, newspaper, and fabric scraps to make the activity more eco-friendly.
- Encourage kids to make gifts for family members or friends, such as handmade ornaments or cards.
- Set up a "craft of the day" station where kids can work on a specific project, such as making a paper snowflake or a popsicle stick Christmas tree.
Activity 2: Host a Holiday Movie Marathon
There's nothing like a holiday movie marathon to get kids in the festive spirit. Choose a selection of classic holiday films, such as "Elf," "Home Alone," and "A Christmas Story," and set up a cozy movie-watching area with blankets, pillows, and snacks. You can also make it more interactive by creating a bingo game or a scavenger hunt related to the movies.
Tips and Variations:
- Create a "movie theme" snack bar with treats such as popcorn, hot chocolate, and candy canes.
- Encourage kids to dress up in their favorite holiday-themed costumes or pajamas.
- Set up a "movie review" station where kids can write or draw their thoughts about the films they watch.
Activity 3: Go on a Winter Nature Walk
Getting outside and exploring nature is a great way to keep kids active and engaged during the holidays. Take a winter nature walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park, and encourage kids to observe the changes in the seasons. You can collect leaves, pinecones, and other natural materials to use in crafts or decorations.
Tips and Variations:
- Create a "nature scavenger hunt" list with items for kids to find, such as different types of leaves, birds, or snowflakes.
- Bring along a camera or smartphone to take photos of the natural surroundings.
- Make it a "sensory walk" by encouraging kids to use their senses to explore the environment, such as touching trees, smelling pine, and listening to birds.
Activity 4: Host a Holiday Cooking or Baking Day
Kids love helping out in the kitchen, and the holidays are a great time to get them involved in cooking and baking. Choose a few simple recipes, such as sugar cookies or gingerbread men, and let the kids help with measuring, mixing, and decorating. You can also make it a "taste test" day by trying out different holiday treats and voting on favorites.
Tips and Variations:
- Make it a "cultural cooking" day by trying out traditional holiday recipes from different countries or cultures.
- Create a "holiday cookbook" with kids' favorite recipes and illustrations.
- Set up a "baking station" with different toppings and decorations, such as sprinkles, icing, and candies.
Activity 5: Create a Christmas Carol Charades Game
This activity is a fun twist on the classic charades game. Write down the titles of popular Christmas carols on slips of paper, such as "Jingle Bells" or "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and have kids act them out for the other players to guess. You can also add a holiday-themed twist by using props, such as Santa hats or reindeer antlers.
Tips and Variations:
- Create a "Christmas carol challenge" by dividing the kids into teams and seeing who can guess the most carols.
- Make it a "dance-off" by having kids dance to their favorite holiday tunes.
- Set up a "karaoke station" with holiday songs and let kids take turns singing.
Activity 6: Host a Hot Chocolate Bar
A hot chocolate bar is a delicious and festive activity that kids will love. Set up a toppings bar with different types of hot chocolate, such as milk, dark, or white chocolate, and add a variety of toppings, such as marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles. You can also make it a "hot chocolate taste test" by trying out different flavors and voting on favorites.
Tips and Variations:
- Create a "hot chocolate recipe" book with kids' favorite recipes and illustrations.
- Set up a "marshmallow challenge" by seeing who can make the tallest marshmallow tower.
- Make it a "hot chocolate and cookie pairing" by matching different types of hot chocolate with different types of cookies.
Activity 7: Create a Christmas Eve Box
A Christmas Eve box is a fun and exciting activity that kids will love. Fill a box with a variety of holiday treats and activities, such as new pajamas, a favorite book or movie, and some holiday snacks. You can also include a "letter to Santa" or a "Christmas wish list" to make it more personalized.
Tips and Variations:
- Create a "Christmas Eve tradition" by doing the same activity every year, such as reading a favorite holiday book or singing a favorite holiday song.
- Make it a "Christmas Eve countdown" by creating a countdown chain with 24 links, one for each day leading up to Christmas.
- Set up a "Christmas Eve scavenger hunt" with clues and riddles leading to the Christmas Eve box.
We hope these 7 fun activities for Christmas school holidays 2019 have given you some inspiration for things to do with your kids during the break. Whether you're looking for something creative, active, or just plain fun, there's something on this list for everyone. So why not get started and make this holiday season one to remember?
What are some other fun activities to do during the Christmas school holidays?
+Some other fun activities to do during the Christmas school holidays include going on a sleigh ride, visiting a festive market, or taking a trip to see Santa Claus. You can also try out some new holiday recipes, play holiday games, or go on a winter hike.
How can I make the Christmas school holidays more special for my kids?
+There are many ways to make the Christmas school holidays more special for your kids. Some ideas include creating a special holiday tradition, such as making cookies or decorating the tree together, or planning a fun outing or activity, such as going to see a holiday show or visiting a festive attraction. You can also make it a special time by spending quality time together as a family, such as having a family game night or going on a holiday outing.
What are some fun holiday games to play with kids?
+Some fun holiday games to play with kids include "Pin the Nose on the Reindeer," "Christmas Carol Charades," and "Holiday Bingo." You can also try out some classic holiday games, such as "Dreidel" or "White Elephant," or create your own holiday-themed games using items such as candy canes, holly, and mistletoe.