Holidaying time is here, and with the kids home, it also tends to be a great excuse to bond over some learning. Well, there comes the bad news: entertaining them sans screen may be quite an uphill task. The good news? There’s an array of activities that are actually fun and instructive. Whether creative, physical, or intellectually demanding, we’ve got you covered. Here are ten great activities to try out with your kids this holiday.
1. Do-It-Yourself Science Projects
Some of the things kids like best are activities that feed their natural curiosity-such as hands-on science experiments. Simple projects, such as the baking soda and vinegar volcano or making slime with common ingredients, teach them basic chemistry. The experiments besides being entertaining also develop questioning and critical thinking in children.
2. Holiday Baking and Cooking Lessons
Set up a mini cooking school in your kitchen to teach your kids how to make their favorite treats. There are countless fun activities your children can participate in that can help them learn about measurement, following instructions, and-most importantly-kitchen safety: baking cookies, decorating cupcakes, and even making homemade pizzas. And at the end, they will be rewarded with the tastiest treat they have ever had.
3. Reading and Storytelling Hour
Make reading a magic part of this holiday season. Devote one hour each day to reading and storytelling. Choose books either on the holiday theme, classic children’s literature, or even help children make up their own stories. This would help develop your language skills, increase their imagination, and establish a love for reading.
4. DIY Crafts and Arts
Arts and crafts are great methods for children to express themselves while building their fine motor skills at the same time. Make a crafts area in your house and stock it with colored papers, glue, glitters, markers, and many other materials one could think of. Let them create holiday cards, ornaments, or even board games of their own. The possibilities are simply endless!
5. Educational Board Games
Who says learning mustn’t be fun? Scrabble, Monopoly, and Chess are board games that teach skills such as spelling, math, strategy, and critical thinking in kids. There are lots of educational games too that focus on geography, history, and science. Set up a game night and make this a family tradition during the holidays.
6. Gardening and Nature Exploration
Introduce your children to the joys of gardening if you have one in your backyard. Teach your child how to plant the seeds, water plants, and care for a garden. If not, grow some herbs in small pots on your windowsill. This activity teaches patience, responsibility, and appreciation of nature.
7. Create a Mini Home Theater
Turn your living room into a cozy home theater for movie nights. Let your kids choose their favorite film or documentaries about learning. Prepare some popcorn, turn off the lights, and make it an event! It can be educational while watching movies if you choose documentaries or films with historical or moral lessons.
8. Indoor Scavenger Hunts
Design a seriously fun indoor Scavenger Hunt in your house. Write clues that will take them to various houses where they’ll find a surprise or two. You can insert fun facts, math problems, or word puzzles into the clues to make the game challenging as well as entertaining.
9. Homemade, Easy Instruments
Let the kids be introduced to the world of music by making their own musical instruments. You can make a simple drum with any plastic container or make a maraca by filling rice in a plastic Easter egg. It will help the kids understand rhythm, beats, and basically how sound is produced. Besides, it is a great platform for kids to explore their hidden musical talents!
10. Learn Through Online Courses
If your kids are eager to learn something new, then definitely join them to online courses. Websites like Khan Academy, Outschool, and Coursera offer courses from coding to painting and from languages to even cooking for kids. It’s a more constructive way to keep them occupied, and they may just discover a newfound passion or hobby.
Conclusion
It does not need to be a time of boredom and screen addiction for the kids. Just a little bit of creativity and some planning may turn this period into one of fun and learning, too. These activities will give children more time to develop certain skills further and create unforgettable memories with their families. So, why not try a few of these activities and get the most out of this holiday break?
Want more ideas for keeping the kids occupied? Continue to follow our blog as we share more fun and educational activities you can try at home!
