Its almost here. The holidays are coming, so is the dreaded winter break and cabin fever that comes along with it. Here are a few crafts, games and activities to keep the kids engaged and parents sane during Christmas break, in New York and around the country.
Bake cookies: Toddlers through elementary school kids can help bake holiday cookies. Kids ages 5 and under can arrange pre-portioned refrigerated cookie dough on cookie sheet and decorate with icing. Parents of older kids can start from a mix (or scratch) and have the kids help with much of the prep work. Cost: Under $5.
Make ornaments or art display: Children young and old can make artwork either to display on a ledge or mantle, or hung on a Christmas tree. Materials from a neighborhood nature walk, such as pine cones and leaves, can be used to make ornaments or wreaths. Children who have learned to cut can make snowflakes with coffee filters to celebrate the winter solstice. Sticker based art, available on specialty stores such as Oriental Trading, or retailers such as Target and Walmart, can engage the younger kids. Cost: Free to $5.
Make a picture book, photo diary or journal: Grade school children can write a story or make themed picture books, such as the stories and legends behind the various holidays such as Hannukah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa. They can also write a holiday journal. Younger children can draw pictures, or paint coloring pages that can be collated into a picture book. Cost: Free to $5.
Spend family time reading, doing puzzles or imaginative play: A quick trip to the library or store for books and puzzles can result in hours of quality family time that is also educational. Children can also engage in hours of imaginative play making ribbons, castles, tents or boats with used packaging and scrap gift wrap supplies. Cost: Free to $10.
Enroll in a mini camp: Although most activities are closed during the break, a few (such as Super Soccer Stars in the New York tristate area), run special winter mini camps and clinics. Cost: $200-300.
Visit indoor play spaces: Some kids play spaces, such as bouncy castle operator Bounce U, have open play sessions that can help kids burn off energy and get rid of cabin fever. Other places for family fun include bowling, laser tag or even Chuck-e-Cheese. Cost: $10-30.
Play outdoors: Older children can enjoy winter sports like ice skating, hockey and skiing. Snow or no snow, it is always fun to take a short nature or neighborhood walk. Both these get kids burn off energy and cure cabin fever. Cost: Free.
Take a walking tour: Nature walks double as scavenger hunts and can yield supplies for arts and crafts. In urban areas such as New York, a walking tour can focus on holiday decorations in public spaces. A favorite walking tour involves starting at 42 nd Street and 6 th Avenue, walking up to 59 th Street while enjoying the giant Christmas decorations outside the various office buildings, walking across to 5 th Avenue, then walking down 5 th Avenue looking at the famed window decorations as well as lights at the department stores. The tour culminates at the Rockfeller Center Christmas Tree and skating rink. Cost: Free.
Drive by holiday decorations tour: Sundown at 4:30 pm offers the opportunity to drive around looking at holiday decorations outside private homes in suburban areas. Some cities run competitions for best decorated house or even tours. Several websites are dedicated to houses with impressive holiday lights displays in Long Island. So pack the kids in the car, lower the sunroof and drive! Cost: Free.
Visit museums: Museums not only have great educational value, but many also are dressed up for the holidays. Many offer discounted entry fees for children and students (up to college age). In New York, the most famous is the American Museum of Natural History’s Origami Tree. The Metropolitan Museum of Art also has a large Christmas Tree. Cost: $10-30.