The holiday season is always a great time of year to cherish moments spent with family and loved ones. Given what 2020 has held, it seems like an especially important year to take the extra time and make unforgettable memories with those we hold closest. With how chaotic this year has been, it can be difficult to celebrate and feel joyous, but we’ve found three activities that should help to ignite the holiday spirit in each of us!
1. Interactive Family Fun
Perfect for the whole family to enjoy, try one of these experiences! With live, virtual instruction, make your very own advent calendar with a paper chain countdown! You only need a few simple supplies (construction paper, ruler, scissors, markers, glue, and a stapler) to create your very own craft.
Not only is this awesome holiday activity available, but there are countless other experiences you can try as well! Some of these include yoga, ballet, martial arts, a superhero party, as well as a super engaging yet relaxing slumber storytime. Check out these really fun classes that are great during the winter for everyone in the family, here!
2. Make A Gingerbread House
This serves as the perfect activity because it’s so dynamic – a craft, decoration, and treat, all in one! Looking for inspiration? With unlimited options on how to construct their creation, your little one’s imagination will run wild. Each member of the family can even make their own, so you can have an entire gingerbread village! This DIY is also a great opportunity for your child to improve on their motor skills, placing candy and icing on their house.
We’ve included some great step-by-step instructions below for a child-sized house, or feel free to try your hand at whatever gingerbread creation you desire!
Supplies
-Graham Crackers
-White Frosting
-Empty, small milk carton
Instructions
1. Take 4 graham crackers and split them in half (to equal 8 halves total)
2. Spread frosting on 4 of the halves
3. Cover the 4 sides of the milk carton with the frosting covered halves
4. Put frosting on two of the additional halves and place them on the top of the carton (to form part of the roof)
5. To cover the rest of the roof, take the remaining halves and cut them into triangle shaped pieces that will fit the space left
6. Cover them with frosting and finish forming the roof!
7. Now, the best part is up to you! Decorate with whatever candies, figures, goodies, icing, sprinkles, etc. you want! Keep it Christmas colored, or pick another holiday or theme that you love!
3. Read Holiday Stories Together
Nothing is better than cozying up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter night! Reading is incredibly relaxing, as well as a great chance for your child to learn skills and familiarize themselves with new letters, sounds, and words. We’ve picked a few of our favorite holiday reads that are sure to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Ride along with a young boy on his journey to the North Pole, as he meets many different characters along the way; some are friendly, while others actively try to inhibit his trip to meet Santa.
This book truly encapsulates the meaning of Christmas and is a great pick for kids questioning if Santa is real. It really shows how magical Christmas can be.
Not only does this story center around an adorable shelter dog named Latke, it teaches children about the history and traditions of Hanukkah! This book is best for children ages 2-7, and it’s a lovely, heartwarming, holiday read.
For preschool to kindergarten aged children, My First Kwanzaa celebrates the importance and essence of the holiday. Complete with beautiful, colorful illustrations, it’s a very easy to follow story that helps little ones learn all about the joy of Kwanzaa!
4. The Night Before New Year’s
Not often thought of as a holiday celebrated by children, The Night Before New Year’s shows just how much fun they can have! Although the kids in the story struggle to stay awake until midnight, they find tons of joy in decorating and getting dressed up to ring in the new year!
Or, change up your bedtime routine with Slumber Storytime, a live reading right before bedtime! This will surely get your little ones sleepy and ready for bed. Daily Slumber Storytime is available with the BümoBrain Learning Program.
Looking for more activities this winter for your little one? Check out these incredible classes that are virtual and totally interactive, and with 25+ classes to choose from, you’re sure to find one (or many more) that your child will love!
