No matter what holiday celebrations are looking like in your part of the country this year, we have a few suggestions on how to enjoy a countdown to the holidays with engaging activities the kids will love. Whether you need to plan some school break activities for your own kids, or if you want to connect with extended family online, celebrate the spirit of the season, together from afar, with this activity countdown. (We’ve created an exclusive calendar of events download for you HERE or by clicking on the image below; you can print it off, post it in your home and cross off each item once you’ve completed it! To download, simply right-click on the image and choose “Save as…”)
Check out these ideas for 12 Days of Fun:
1. Create a Hot Chocolate Bar
What kid doesn’t love a warm cup of hot chocolate after playing outside on a cold winter day? Up-level your hot chocolate service by offering a selection of toppings (whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate chips) and set up a self-serve (or restaurant style) selection for the kids. (Psst… we’ve got the scoop for creating THE BEST hot chocolate bar!)
2. Decorate Cookies
Even if we aren’t entertaining large groups this year for the holidays, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be baking our usual treats that taste like the festive season. Get the kids involved in the baking process and ice sugar cookies. Package them up and safely deliver to the porches and friends and family. Share the baking and share the love.
3. Hide and Seek
Holiday hide and seek can have a bit of a twist. Instead of the family hiding all over the house, hide a favourite holiday decoration and send the kids on a hunt. Or play a guessing game with the ornaments on the tree!
4. Pyjamas and a Movie Watch Party
The movie going experience is even cozier at home when everyone wears pjs but if you want a theatre experience, some theatres across the country will deliver their popcorn, drinks and other concession stand bites through food delivery apps. Thanks to some services like Disney+ and the new Watch Party feature, you can ‘watch’ the movie with family and friends who are in their own homes at the same time.
5. Sing Holiday Songs
6. Care Packages
A theme for the holidays this year is ‘at a distance’ and there are still many ways to connect, including through the mail. If you’ve long done away with mailing holiday cards, maybe this is the year to bring them back. You and the kids can also create care packages for family members who aren’t making it into town this year. Just plan to ship everything early enough so the packages arrive on time.
7. Give Back
Giving back to your community is a great way to get the kids involved in a meaningful and heartfelt tradition. Many organizations are in great need this year. Warm weather clothing, food donations and toy drives are likely being adapted in your area for safety but are still being collected. Research ways to give back this holiday season.
8. Dance Party
A family dance party is sure to lift everyone’s spirits! Create a festive playlist (encourage family members to help build it) and if you want to include cousins in another town, set up that family Zoom room and dance away!
9. Family Game Time
Puzzles have become a real star during the pandemic, but family board games are enjoying their extra time in the spotlight too. It has also drawn attention to online games that can be played remotely. Pick a night leading into Christmas, gather aunts and uncles and cousins on Discord or speaker phone and set up a family friendly game of Kahoot, Jack-in-the-Box, or for older kids, Among Us (our editor has had a ton of fun playing this with her 10- and 13-year old!).
10. Story Time
Sometimes, the simplicity of someone reading a book is just what a family needs. Ask a friend or family member to read a holiday themed book one night to the kids before bed via Zoom when they are cozied up in their pyjamas.
11. Family Recipe
Recreate a family recipe together. Pull out your grandmother’s famous short bread recipe, or ask your dad for the plum pudding recipe he used to make when you were a kid and recreate it with your own children! Skype in a family member who can help along the way.
12. Drive to See the Lights
This time of year, our neighbourhoods are becoming brightly lit with twinkling lights and holiday décor. Pick an evening to go for a family drive to see the decorations and pick your favourite Griswold-esque home.
Rebecca Stanisic is a freelance writer and digital content creator. She’s been blogging on her website, A Little Bit of Momsense, since 2009 and for almost as many years has helped fellow bloggers and small business owners create and curate relevant digital content for their own businesses. She’s the proud mom of two and is fuelled by fiction and coffee.
2 comments
This year we decided to pick name of the family members rather than giving gifts to everyone since since this year has been difficult and challenging to many family including mine as wel due to pandemic. It may not be perfect but will be surly different and something new where everyone gets one gift and not having to go to debt. Thanks mom resource for gift inspiration.
Hi Emma,
Thanks for sharing! 💗 We are doing the same… keeping it simple and focusing on memories made and time spent together. Sending you best wishes for the holidays!