It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids all home yelling
And everyone telling you “There’s nothing to do!”
Is it the most wonderful time of the year?!
JENNIE SMITH
Junior High/High School Principal
Most kids love to let their brains go on vacation over Christmas break, while most parents want to keep their kids active and engaged. There are some fun ways to sneak in some learning and activity over Christmas. Here’s a few ideas for you!
1. Play Games While Traveling
Are you traveling over Christmas? Play some driving games that encourage kids to review their alphabet and hone their observation skills. Here’s a link to a list of fun games. Find educational coloring books to bring along. Listen to audiobooks or audio dramas together. If you are part of our faith family check out RightNow media for great free resources to stream! Plan some educational stops wherever you are traveling and look at their website under “education.” There are often activities and scavenger hunts that are meant for field trips – but you can use them too! If you are visiting a national park, ask for junior ranger materials and let your kids earn their badges while learning about the park and all its creatures.
2. Baking!
Ask your kids to bake Christmas cookies with you. Double or triple the recipe and have them practice their math skills – who doesn’t love to add and multiply fractions! You can turn it into a science lesson by trying different ingredients (different brands of chocolate chips) and taste testing. Learn the difference between baking powder and baking soda. If you end up with a lot of cookies, help them learn the gift of generosity by deciding who to bless!
3. Make Learning a Gift
Stuff that stocking with educational things to do. Add a new book or a gift card to a bookstore and let them pick out something they would like to read. Maybe a puzzle or a book of Sudoku or logic puzzles and riddles. Find games that encourage thinking and solving – wrap it up and put it under the tree.
4. Try Something New
Do something new together. Planting a garden teaches both science and life skills. Planning a meal from recipe picking to shopping helps develop skills – especially if you give them a budget and they have to do math through the store so as not to exceed the budget.
Can learning be fun? ABSOLUTELY! Learning activities while on Christmas break can truly make it one of the most wonderful times of the year!
