special for your children? Whether you are having a “staycation” or planning a
trip, here are some fun activities to add some variety during the upcoming winter
days.
Let Them Entertain You
Organize a talent show, with singing, instruments, dancing or
miming favorite recordings (like American Idol for young people). Shadow shows are fun
with a light behind a sheet. Kids can create a script with homemade or available puppets
(socks and buttons make great puppets).
Hot cocoa and apple cider dates at Starbucks
Bring some cards or a small board
game, like chess, or checkers to play, and enjoy while watching your kids devour the
whipped cream!
Take a Hike
It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors.
Bundle up the kids, bird watch, hunt for pine cones....Of course, if it’s snowing, there’s
always building snow men and sledding. Even a very short time outdoors can be
exhilarating.
Carpet Picnics
Spread out a blanket in the family room and enjoy some food together. For
older kids, maybe you cook a meal or bake together and then share during your picnic. For
younger kids, have the kids invite a few of their favorite stuffed animals to join you on the
blanket!
Bowling is a Blast
Perfect activity when it’s too cold outside. Interactive and fun for the
whole family. Bumpers added to the lanes make it suitable for the very young.
Volunteer at a Local Food Bank. Here is an easy, fun and truly rewarding activity.
Create Artful Masterpieces
Pull out the art supplies that you rarely have time to
use...paints, sculpting clay, wiki sticks, pipe cleaners, crayons and markers etc. One idea is
create a noise maker to help bring in the New Year, using paper towel rolls you can fill with
dried beans or pennies, tape the open ends and decorate as desired.
Never Be Bored with Board Games
Simple, tried and true activity for everyone. From
the classics to the latest, they are always sure to please.
Dollar Store Shopping Spree!
Let kids choose fun toys/games/crafts to enjoy for the
week. Talk about a great bang for your buck!
Time Filling Models and Puzzles.
This one takes up a lot of time...just what you have! It
can be a Lego creation, automobile or motorcycle model, dollhouse, or just a good-old
fashioned jigsaw puzzle.
Be flexible and prepared. If one idea isn't working out, offer up a couple more
suggestions. Planning the activity can even be the activity. Write ideas on a small piece of
paper, fold them and place them in a hat. This is a nice, diplomatic option for those times
when your children are not in agreement about the activity! They can each take turns
picking from the hat.
As a backup, have some movies or music CDs and books on hand, toss around
a football, call a friend for a play date, bake some cookies or make your own sundaes...just
be careful, too much sugar is never a good idea unless you want everyone to be “bouncing
off the walls” Most of all, have a sense of humor, enjoy your time together, and find
time to relax...
From all of us here at The Philadelphia Nanny Network, we wish you a joyous holiday season and may you and your family be blessed with good health, good fortune, and great happiness today and always.
