The winter holidays represent different traditions and celebrations for all of us. What’s common amongst all is the shared opportunity to spend time with loved ones. East Orange Child Development Center encourages all families to take the opportunity this holiday season to spend time with their little ones in fun, festive ways! Here are five-holiday activities to help get you in the holiday spirit.
Make Holiday Cookies
Making cookies is every kid’s favorite holiday activity. From rolling out the dough, adding icing and sprinkles, and even taste testing, kids will enjoy the whole process. You can make cookies in the shape of snowmen, wreaths, dreidels, or presents; the possibilities are endless. Most preschoolers don’t spend much time in the kitchen, so this is the perfect opportunity to do something out of the ordinary together.
Decorate a Gingerbread House
Decorating a gingerbread house is another great holiday activity. It gives children the opportunity to be as creative as they want. Have the whole family join in on the fun, and you can make a little friendly competition out of it.
Give A Gift to Someone in Need
As adults, we know that the holidays are more about what we give than what we receive. There’s no better time to teach that lesson to your kids as well. Have your child pick a toy for a local toy drive or take holiday cards and homemade cookies to an elderly neighbor. The ideas are limitless. Allow them to be a part of choosing the act of kindness, talk about why it’s important, and then talk about how it made them feel after they’ve done it.
Make Homemade Ornaments
An excellent crafting idea is to make homemade ornaments together, and there are so many different options to choose from. They could make imprints of their hands, paper snowflakes, or even string dried orange slices together. You could browse ideas together on Pinterest and let your child pick what looks the most fun to them. Imagine their pride in seeing it displayed amongst the holiday decorations.
Watch A Holiday Movie
Watching a holiday movie is a great activity for the whole family! Make it a big event by dressing up in matching pajamas and bringing pillows and blankets into the living room. Pop some popcorn for snacking and have the plate of cookies nearby too. Choose a favorite movie from your childhood or choose a new one for everyone to watch together for the first time!