Sunday Brunch: 20 Screen-Free Activities for Winter Break
...for when everyone's boredom creeps in
Ahhh winter break! My personal favorite week is between Christmas and New Year's, the one time a year that feels like a communal pause. The week when we all seem to forget which day it is, have fewer commitments, and are allowed to just be. But let's be honest, winter break is a time cherished by all...until sometimes...it's not. I'm talking about when everyone's boredom creeps in and you can get absolutely nothing done because you're the chair of the entertainment committee and little eyeballs keep looking at you like, now what?
With that, I made a list of 20+ screen-free activities to help get you and your kids through the break, especially on day 10 when everyone is over it and asking for more screen time. Some of these ideas will take a little planning ahead of time (or grabbing something off Amazon, etc), but most won't - and that's the point. Take the ideas that are easy and that aren't too much extra effort for you, and save the rest for a rainy day. Share with a friend who might need a little entertainment help, too!
Bake something or learn a new recipe together (and have them help you clean up after!). Gingerbread houses, cupcake decorating, cakes, yum!
Start a new book series (we really like these).
Get a crew together for a game of flag football, soccer, tag, or whatever activity your kids are into. Involve the neighborhood and have your kids make flyers about it to stick to the mailbox or drop off at friends houses. They'll look forward to it and will also be contributing to the planning.
Activity haul to have ready in your closet: a drawing projector, Legos, Magnatiles, sticker books (my girls love these and these), Simon (who remembers?!) and dress-up options.
Indoor obstacle course, "Winter Olympics," or even simpler, see how long it takes the kids to touch every door in the house or something brainless like that. Make it fun! Set the timer, play some pump-up music of the kids' choice, and inspire them to get faster each time they do it.
Spruce up bath time. Drop some glow sticks in the water with the lights out, let them take their Hot Wheels in a bath, "car wash," play music, bring the tea set in, go wild with the bubbles, give their stuffies and dolls a bath.
Bring out the board or card games. Uno or go fish can be learned pretty early! Pro tip: if your kids love cards, a cardholder like this will help their little hands. My children are also obsessed with this matching game.
Build a fort.
Turn your Amazon boxes into an art canvas, a train, a spaceship, whatever!
Take turns with your friends or neighbors. Everyone's kids will be off during break, so might as well help each other out. Take turns hosting the kids or watching them so that everyone can get support.
Have the older kids set up a "camp" for the young ones. If you live somewhere without harsh weather, maybe it's a simple soccer camp. If you need to be inside, it could be a theatre or dance camp. Have the parents chip in to pay the older kids per entry, and make it fun for all.
Do a puzzle (jumbo floor is great for littles)! Work on it a little each night as a family and go big.
Pitch a tent inside (or use a play tent - we have this one). Turn off the lights, let them have flashlights, and tell "spooky" stories. No parents allowed & they'll stay there for hours.
Volunteer or do something to give back. That can be as minor as picking up trash at the local park or gathering old toys and clothes to donate.
Go for a nature walk & make leaf or flower salads after. Let the kids get creative with some spices or extra stuff they want to add in.
Workout! So many free kid-approved workout classes on YouTube.
Have a dance party! Let the kids build a playlist or do it yourself if they're too young (minor screen time involved!), get some glow sticks or balloons, and turn it UP.
Set a (very attainable) goal with your family, where each person has a goal they want to hit before the end of the year. It can be about reading, exercise (how many times can you jump rope or hula hoop?!), acts of kindness, and so on. The point is to push your kids (and yourself) to do something you're proud of to end the year, and to meet a goal, which promotes confidence and hard work!
Write someone a hand-written letter. It can be to someone far away like grandparents out of state, or to their friend down the street. If they can't write yet, make artwork for someone - maybe even someone who wouldn't expect it like the mailman, their barber, whoever.
Need more? Here’s 100 more.
Hope you all have a wonderful, smooth, enjoyable winter break!