How To Keep Your Kids Happy And Busy During The Holidays

Keeping your kids happy and busy during the holidays should be a simple task. But as any parent will tell you, it isn’t. Calls of “Mom, I’m bored” seem to ring from every alcove the moment the school term ends. 

Fortunately, this blog is here to help. We run through some of the things you can do to entertain your little ones and keep them happy and busy until school starts again.

Storytelling

Storytelling is one of the most underrated ways to keep kids entertained. It’s ridiculously cheap (just pick up a book) but enough to enthral many children for hours. 

Storytelling is effective because it taps into kids’ need for narratives. Children love it when adults create ideas in their minds, simply by reading the pages of a novel. 

Travel

Travel is another option. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be anything spectacular). 

One option is to take your kids on day trips and outings to various places they might enjoy. Options include the park, camping, the zoo, or even historical sites if they are a little older. 

If you want to go further afield, you could go on a day trip to a nearby city. These often have various attractions that are kid-friendly and create incredible memories for children (often that last the rest of their lives). 

Gymnastics

Another idea is to enrol them in a gymnastics class. These run throughout the year but often have extra sessions in the holidays to keep kids out of their parent’s hair. 

South Shore Gymnastics Academy says these clubs should have safety-certified instructors to keep kids safe. We don’t want any tears! Furthermore, they should also offer clean and bright facilities that make it easy for children to explore new movements. 

Music Lessons

You could also set your children up with new music lessons. Getting them to play the violin, flute or piano from an early age can set them up musically for life. 

Try not to put limits on what you want them to play. Kids often have a clear idea of what they want to do without any parental involvement. 

Plus, if you can play a musical instrument, that will encourage them to take it up, too. You might not have to apply any pressure at all!

Playdates

If you want to give your kids something less structured, you could also arrange playdates. These are fun for children who love being around others and socialising. 

The best play dates are those where multiple parents share the responsibility. You could go to the park for a picnic or invite everyone to bring food over to your backyard for a BBQ. 

If you can, arrange for playdates to happen on a schedule during the holidays. This approach reduces confusion and ensures parents are on the same page. It can also make the kids happier because they always know what’s going to happen next. 

Play Educational Games

If playdates involve too much chaos, you could also get your kids to play educational games and activities that challenge them. Puzzles and brain teasers are excellent options. These build analytical skills and, in the case of crosswords, can improve problem-solving and vocabulary.

If your kids are more hands-on, you could set up at-home science experiments. These encourage them to get excited about changing and manipulating the real world (along with how it works). 

Lastly, board games are also sometimes a good option. These enhance skills and train their brains to think strategically (instead of doing the first thing that comes into their head). 

Cook Together

You could also arrange a baking session together. These are fun and rewarding for children and provide them with real-world skills. 

Start with the simplest baking, like cupcakes, and then move on to more advanced concepts. Show them how to combine eggs with flour and water to make a delicious, fluffy sponge.

If they’re young, get them using icing sugar and toppings for decoration. Provide them with everything they need to be adventurous. 

Go To The Library

The holidays are also an excellent time to introduce your kids to the library and show them everything that’s on offer. Talk to them about how they can take out books, movies, and games for free (or cheaply) if they have their library card with them. Also, explain the value of taking books back on time to avoid fines!

So there you have it: some of the things you can do with your kids to keep them happy and busy during the holidays. 

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