It’s almost time to wind down for the holidays… oh wait you’re a parent, this means back to back days of trying to come up with creative holiday activities for your kids. We know how daunting (and expensive) the holiday season can be for parents, so we’ve put together a list of some fun holiday activities to help your family (and your pocket) survive the holiday season.
1. Holiday clubs
Visit your local social media community groups and see if there are any holiday clubs in your area. Holiday clubs are a great source of fun and stimulation for your kids. They are also a great way to ensure that your children are in a safe and social environment. This means that parents also get the opportunity to have some downtime and enjoy a much-needed break.
Join one of our CambriLearn Facebook community groups to connect with other parents and to find out more about what holiday clubs are available in your area.
Here’s our list of communities, by region, you can join:
2. Arts and crafts
The internet is filled with some amazing fun holiday family activities. From recycling to DIY Christmas gifts, pop onto Pinterest and search some of the many wonderful ideas available online. We found this blog post with some cool ideas to help spark your inspiration.
3. Get outdoors
Studies have shown that time in nature is one of the most valuable learning activities that you can give to your child. If you are lucky enough to live near the beach or a park then pack a picnic and spend your time soaking up some sunshine and fresh air – just don’t forget your SPF.
4. Start a garden project
You don’t have to leave your property to enjoy the great outdoors, children can get some much needed fresh air in your own backyard. Why not use this time to finally start that veggie garden or build a garden fort. Kids learn far better through hands-on experience and gardening is a healthy, educational and affordable activity for them to try these holidays.
Studies have shown that children who spend time gardening tend to have better gut health than children who play in regular concrete playgrounds.
5. Give back
The festive season is a great time to teach your children the importance of giving back to your community and to get them involved in local community outreach projects. Enlist your family in some volunteer work; from assisting at an animal shelter to sorting through unused toys, the festive season is the perfect time to spread some love and holiday cheer.
6. Movie night
Not all TV time is a bad idea... we are firm believers in 'everything in moderation'. An at-home movie night is a fun and affordable way to entertain your kids. Grab some blankets, pizza and popcorn and set up a movie night in your garden or living room. Take a look at this blog post with some great ideas on how to set up your own backyard cinema.
7. Go Geocaching
Geocaching is like a real-life treasure hunt and the best part is it is totally free to participate. Geocaching involves using a GPS smartphone app to find hidden containers (aka treasures) in your neighbourhood. Inside each container is a logbook to complete to mark who has found the treasure. This fun activity is great for kids (and adults) of all ages and it is also a great way to get the kids off the couch and outside exploring your local neighbourhood.
8. Visit a local museum or library
When was the last time you visited your local library or museum? Visiting a museum or library is a great activity to do on cold or rainy days. A lot of museums have now incorporated interactive holiday activities where kids can learn and have fun at the same time. Get in touch with your local community centres and see what activities they have planned for the holidays.
9. Bake
Another great idea for the rainy holiday days is baking. As we said, kids learn best through interactive experiences and activities. Turn baking a cake into a fun and educational activity for your kids this holiday – just make sure they are also responsible for cleaning up. Now you can have your cake, and eat it!
10. Wash the car
Grab some buckets, sponges and a hosepipe and get your kids to help wash your car. This fun activity will not only give you a sparkling clean car but also save you money at the same time – a win-win for everyone!
On behalf of everyone at CambriLearn, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a wonderful, safe and happy Festive Season.
