elle kynzer

Ten Family Fun Things To Do During The Holidays!



Posted: Wednesday, December 07, 2011

by elle kynzer

The children will be out of school for about two weeks or more here during the Christmas Holidays, and do not return to school until after New Years Day.  Many parents can't take that much time off, so some have to rely on family or parents to watch their children during some of that time. Grandparents are not always full of ideas on what to do, especially if the ages vary a great deal or the weather is bad.

The ten ideas listed here are only a few of the many things that can be done, or adapted to where you live. Those in Florida can do many outside activities that those in Maine would find impossible. I'm halfway in between, and these activities are good for our climate, but you will need to think about ideas that fit with your abilities to participate in your area.  Culture, weather, time, physical ability and access to a car or transportation may mean some adjustments, but you can find several of the ideas motivating and great fun....a time for families to bond.

1. Make Christmas decorations in the first week out of paper, popcorn, or beads you can buy inexpensively.  Children like to participate in those crafts they can add to the Christmas tree. Make sure each one has something made for the tree that they can put on it as their own.

2. Teach the children how to bake cookies, cakes, or pies.  The help will take the stress off of you, as the older ones bring you things you need.  Set out all the ingredients, and teach them how to measure and mix.  Don't allow younger children to get near the stove.
“We used to play Monopoly, Scrabble, and other board games. Take the children back to a simpler time, before technology took over. Let them experience family interaction.”
Assign tasks according to age, and ability.  Have a talk before going into the kitchen to work, it will help keep down wrong expectations, on what is going to happen in there. Have aprons for everyone.

3. Help the children create their own Christmas Play, and let them dress up and practice until they know their lines, and be sure to hold a special viewing of the play by the parents and friends or extended family members to encourage their creative talents.   Take more than a week to prepare, so that they learn some things take time to develop.  Serve beverages and cookies after the play.

4.Take advantage of your areas weather, for instance, if you have safe ice for skating, then take the children for a skate outing.  Have a huge pot of soup or warm food to enjoy, when you get home.  If your weather is too warm, then go swimming at the Y, or visit a museum.  Don't think everything has to be expensive or you have to eat out, just plan ahead. The food can be prepared the night before, and taken out of the refrigerator when you get home and heated up, as the children set the table.

5. If it's not possible to go out, maybe you are taking care of several children, or transportation is a problem.  Then plan a picnic in the living room with their favorite sandwiches and movies. Spend the afternoon watching fun Christmas movies and laugh, eat, and let them help clean up.

6. Be sure to include the children in your decorating, and let them make a few decisions on what to display.  Maybe you could make some pans of hard gingerbread and a bowl of icing, with bowls of red, green and colored candies to build a gingerbread house together. Just the fun of trying your hand at something they can brag about to their parents, and show them is worthwhile.

7.  If the children are visiting for the holidays, or are yours, then enlist their help in cleaning the house for company.  Give out assignments, that when finished correctly will get a reward; such as a visit to a park or Christmas parade.

8. Take advantage of the things going on in your area, such as church plays, charity entertainment, or free Christmas exhibits.  Take a ride in the evening to see all the Christmas lights in your area, and end with hot cocoa and snacks.

9. Look in the Newspaper for free things to see or do.  If your family is inclined, and your area safe, then practice Christmas Carols and take the family caroling. Be the music you want to hear, and sing to neighbors or family members during the holidays.  Now, this is only if your area is safe, or you know the people in your neighborhood.

10. Volunteer to make food for the homeless, or volunteer at a shelter in your area.  I do not suggest taking the children to the center, but by making things you can take, and drop off will give them a sense of helping others less fortunate.

Take a camera (disposable ones are less than $5 with flash), and take pictures of Christmas activities, plays, or goodies made by the children.  Of others enjoying their contributions, and of their tree ornaments on display.  Those pictures will keep them looking forward to next year, and all the fun things they will be able to do for the next holiday.  When asked by the teacher how their Christmas was, it will be you and all the fun they had, that gets discussed more than any presents found under the tree.

5.
Elle Kynzer was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and grew up in a rural area, as an only child. She is married with one son, and two grandsons.

She was a Personnel Assistant in her early twenties, and began hiring employees for the company. By her early thirties she had returned to NC, and became an Executive Officer in Real Estate. She also served as part-time USNR for more than ten years.

Elle went back to college at WCU, then went on to teach Criminal Justice for a local Community College, in the local High Schools/college credit.

Elle Kynzer, Author:

E Books:

Non Fiction: EXONERATED-Nancy Hanks Lincoln/mother to Pres Abraham Lincoln; Fiction Mystery: BLOODY CLOTHES ON THE INTERSTATE;UNDER MURKY WATERS.

Poetry: A WINDING RIVER; Paranormal: TRAMPLING ON JUSTICE; Christian: REFLECTIONS OF GRACE See Amazon.com; or visit my blog for descriptions.

Her blog http://ellekynzer.blogspot.com/

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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Tharuna Devchand 157 days 11 hours ago.
16 fans. Follow Tharuna Devchand on twitter!
this is awesome
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» left by elle kynzer 157 days 5 hours ago.
31 fans. Follow elle kynzer on twitter!
Thanks
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» left by Jennifer Stewart
 157 days 10 hours ago.
153 fans.
These are such great ideas, Elle, really creative!
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» left by elle kynzer 157 days 5 hours ago.
31 fans. Follow elle kynzer on twitter!
With young children who are active and energetic, it's great to make memories instead of always calling them down for just being kids. Thanks
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» left by Christofer French
 151 days 7 hours ago.
74 fans.
I sent this to two of my kids who are under these current obligations. Well done, and well written. Thanks for all the info.
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