Keeping your children entertained during quarantine can be a nightmare, especially as the holiday season approaches. Many people are experiencing severe symptoms of depression due to their inability to enjoy their usual activities, including kids.
How can you cope with being cooped up at home while still enjoying the holiday season?
Just because things are shut down doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time! Here are some easy winter crafts for kids and activities that you can do while in the comforts of your home.
Outdoor Fun
Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun outside. Here are some safe and enjoyable activities the whole family can partake in!
Make a Snowman
For a classic winter activity, you can work together to build the perfect snowman. With enough time and dedication, you may be able to make an entire village of snowpeople! Have fun with your decorations and break out your old winter clothes to make it even more exciting.
Go Sledding in the Backyard
Do you have a good hill near your home that’s away from everyone? If so, this is a great opportunity to take the kids sledding. Just make sure that when you go, you aren’t too close to other people and stay safe.
Go for a Winter Wonderland Drive
What could be more relaxing than going on a drive and seeing the displays of Christmas lights and decorations around your neighborhood? Gather up the kids, bring some snacks, and hop in the car for as long a drive as you want. Enjoy the lights with some Christmas music playing for a full experience!
Snow Fort Building
Designing snow forts with the kids when the snow is high is a great way to spend some time outdoors. The kids will love digging through the snow and making their own little hideouts in the backyard.
If you don’t get a lot of snow in your area, then you can build your own fort from scratch! Just take snow from the surrounding area and pile it up for the perfect snow fort.
Snow Sculpture Contest
If your kids are the creative type, then holding a snow sculpture contest may be the perfect activity for the family. Section off the backyard and start building your creations, then walk through your little winter wonderland and pick a winner! Of course, when it comes to having this much fun, everyone wins.
Indoor Fun
When the weather is too cold to go outside, you’ll need some activities to enjoy from the warmth of your home. Here are just a few of the ways that you can spend your time as a family.
Watch Movies or TV
New and fun TV shows and movies are coming out constantly, and older classics are great to revisit in quarantine. Take turns picking out movies and create family movie nights to celebrate the holidays. Make sure to bring plenty of popcorn, too!
Not sure what to watch? Pluto TV review is perfect for picking out the best TV shows and movies to watch with your family! Download the app today and start streaming your favorite shows from any of your home devices.
Try New Holiday Recipes
With plenty of time to spare, you can start testing out new recipes that you’ve always wanted to try. Have your family gather recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert and put them all into your own recipe book for the perfect collection of family meals.
You can even find recipes specifically for Christmas to keep yourselves in the holiday spirit. Even doing some cookie or cake decorating with a Christmas theme is great for spreading holiday cheer!
Play Games as a Family
Whether your family prefers puzzles, board games, or video games, it’s important to spend some bonding time together with your favorite games. Let everyone have a turn picking your game of the night and enjoy having some fun together.
Read Stories Together
Holiday-themed books are great to read during the holiday season. If you have younger children, then picking out a few Christmas books to read with them can be a wonderful holiday tradition to start. Cozy up around the fire with a book and some hot cocoa for a great experience.
Make a Blanket Fort
Snow forts are great when the weather is good, but not everyone enjoys playing in the snow. Making blanket forts is great when you’re stuck indoors, and can keep the whole family cozy and warm! Experiment with forts around the house, and don’t be afraid to make a mess of the living room.
Easy Winter Crafts for Kids
Fortunately, there are plenty of family winter crafts that you can do that are easy and fun for everyone! You can make paper cutout decorations for around the house, or test your skills with a gingerbread house with older children. Anything old around the house can be turned into a cute Christmas decoration for the holiday season, so look around your house for any tools you can use!
Enjoy the Holidays With Family this Season
No matter how long we’re stuck at home, there will always be ways that we can occupy our time and enjoy life together as a family. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your activities and bond with your kids!
What do you usually do for fun with your children? Do you have any ideas for easy winter crafts for kids or activities that you want to try?
Get out there and have fun this holiday season, and don’t forget to keep reading our blog for more parenting tips and activities this year!