The holiday season is one-part holiday joy, one-part holiday stress, and one-part holiday boredom. Let’s face it, as fun as it is to have some time away from school and work, too much free time can actually become quite dreary.
Winter and the holidays don’t have to be dull. Break out of your routine with these fun winter activities the whole family can enjoy.
1: Go See the Holiday Displays
While not as many towns are having public holiday festivals any more, there are still plenty of places you can head out and enjoy the holiday season as a family.
A simple search online can help you find out what establishments are having holiday lights, tree lightings, or other holiday festivities that you can enjoy as a family. There may also be local businesses and homes that have impressive decorations for the holidays. In some cities, certain homes or neighborhoods put on intricate light displays or other decorations in order to entertain the public.
Visiting these things together will get you all out of the house, and it will make the season feel even more special!
2: Do Crafts
Depending on the ages of your children, there are many different crafts that you can do together at home. These crafts don’t have to be complex; something as simple as cutting snowflakes out of sheets of paper can be a fun bonding activity.
Make crafting a weekly activity throughout the holiday months. Use name labels on the calendar to give each child a chance to choose the craft of the week. From making snowmen to painting with watercolors, there are thousands of different crafts you can try.
Here are a few crafts that children will love:
- Snowman plate painting
- Yarn ornament making
- Gift wrapping
- Santa mask making
- Snowflake cutting
These are just a few ideas. Once each child decides what they want to make, look up simple ideas on how to create it online. Their finished creations can be used as festive holiday decorations around the house or they could make great gifts for the children’s grandparents or other relatives.
3: Paint the Windows!
This family activity kills two birds with one stone. Not only can you have fun making something pretty together, but you can also decorate your home!
Here is the list of materials needed to make removable window paint:
- Powder tempera paint
- Warm water
- Dishwashing liquid
- Paintbrush
- Newspapers (to cover the floor)
To mix up each paint color, add 1 tablespoon of warm water to 2 tablespoons of the powder paint until well combined. Then, gently mix in 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, being careful to not make any suds.
Now, paint away! Make your favorite scenes on each window. The effect will be slightly translucent and oh-so-adorable!
When you’re ready to remove the paintings, mix together equal parts of vinegar and water. Use an old rag to take the paint off of the windows. It will remove easily.
4: Make A Time Capsule
The holiday season is a great time to talk to your children about what is important to them and help them to make fond holiday memories.
What better way to make and remember your favorite moments than by creating family time capsules?
It’s easy to create these memory chambers. All you need is something as simple as shoe boxes to get started. Use name labels to mark each family member’s name on the inside and the outside of their box (get kids name labels here) so they can each plan their own collection of items.
Then, get filling!
Encourage your children to choose some things they don’t mind parting with – such as an old favorite toy or photograph. Then, sit down and write letters or draw pictures together. These can be easily folded and put inside of the time capsule, too.
Put all of the time capsules into a safe plastic container to be held until you decide to open them as a family. If your family enjoys the activity, you could even make it a yearly Christmas tradition to open your capsules and then make new ones together!
Perhaps this time capsule activity will spark an interest in learning about the past, and you may wish to check the records on sites like Geneology Bank (https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/census/1920-records) to see if you can discover anything new about your family history that you didn’t know.
5: Go on a Family Entertainment Outing
Some common activities like Bowling, Laser Tag, & More in Temple, TX, or anywhere near your place as a family is simply becoming a regular outing in many families’ lives. Those who enjoy indoor entertainment may want to give this a try.
Put aside some money during the winter season for these activities. Going to see a movie, visiting the bowling alley, or even just going to the museum as a family is a great way to get out of the house together and do something fun. Check online for the best time to go. Some venues offer discounted rates on certain days or times. This can make these outings more affordable. You can even find discounts online for many places like this. AMF Bowling discount codes can lower the costs for taking the family out for some fun.
Family outings don’t have to be complicated affairs. Instead, going out to do something simple together can be just the kind of relaxing time away that you need most during the stressful holiday season. Your local library could even be a great outing. Many libraries offer special events (for free!) and, while you’re there, your children can pick out books to enjoy later.
Remember, the most important part of the holidays is being together. You don’t need anything more than that to make the season special.