Stressed out and scrambling for Christmas vacation activities for kids? Being a stay-at-home mom or dad is never easy. Still, it’s nice to have the house to yourself while kids are in school. If nothing else, you can get a heck of a lot of work done. Christmas vacation presents some particular problems. Kids are all wound up for the holidays. You have housework, decorating and party planning to do. What should be a nice break from your routine has turned into a giant fiasco. How do you keep kids entertained during Christmas vacation and still get your work done?
Ask kids to join you. They may not enjoy the normal household chores, but they can help you with holiday busy work while on vacation from school. Why not decorate the house together while singing Christmas carols? They’d certainly enjoy making those Christmas cookies. What else can kids do to lighten your holiday burden? I’m sure you can think of something.
Late on getting those Christmas cards out? Dreading that trip to the store with four antsy kids in tow? This Christmas vacation activity teaches kids that homemade is better. Why not have them make your Christmas cards this year? Get out the glue, scissors and construction paper. Let them have at it. Grandma and Grandpa will love those handmade creations. So will the rest of your friends and family. Plus, kids self esteem will get a boost from their helpful contribution.
Kids can help assemble gift baskets. They can also help with gift wrapping. The holidays are all about giving. Why not have kids participate? They may not have a lot of money for gifts, but they can help wrap the ones from your whole family. Your friends and family love your kids. They won’t mind a little goof up here and there. Worried about keeping up appearances? Consider gift bags as a kid friendly wrapping alternative.
Kids can pack food bank donations. Once again, Christmas is about giving. Teach kids an important lesson with this Christmas vacation activity. Have them scour the cupboards for canned goods you can give to charity. Wrap an open box with holiday paper. Let kids fill it with some of those canned and boxed foods you got on sale or with coupons. Share your good fortune while teaching kids to do the same.
Christmas vacation is supposed to be fun. Now that the kids have helped you with all the holiday chores, reward them with a day out. Take in a holiday movie, go ice skating or sledding. Let kids vote on what they’d like to do, or do it all. When you get home, go online for printable holiday activities and coloring pages. Make some hot cocoa and cookies to enjoy while kids color and paint. Make this a Christmas vacation to remember by involving kids in the festivities and rewarding them with holiday themed fun.
More from Jaipi:
Why Believing in Santa is Good for Your Kids
Plant Flowers With Your Kids This Holiday Season
Five Traditions Every Kid Should Experience During the Holidays