Family Bonding During Winter Break

Winter break can be a rough time for many parents. Being cooped up in the house can make parents and children crazy after only a few days. Here are a few ideas for you and your children to help you survive the winter break.

*Have an indoor picnic with your children. Spread out a blanket and pack a basket of your favorite picnic foods. Take this time to chat about what you miss most about the summer.

* Have a family game night. Chances are many of your family's favorite board and card games reinforce skills such as counting, reading, and drawing. Gather the group to play games you usually don't have time for on school nights.

* Go online and find some fun winter crafts like glitter snowflakes to hang around the house and in the windows. Your children will have a blast making decorations to put up around your home. Do these crafts with your children because they are the types of activities your children will remember for years to come.

*Have a cooking day with your kids. Cooking with your children can teach them valuable skills and also give them precious time with you. Have smaller children help you measure, stir dry ingredients, and count out ingredients with you. Pick out a few simple recipes that the kids can help you with, like sugar cookies or gingerbread men. Once the cookies are baked and cooled, let the kids decorate them with different frostings and sprinkles.

*Your local library is a valuable resource for activates, story hours or special shows. You can also take them to pick out their own books, movies, and music.

*Exercising is the one thing neglected by all members of the family when the colder weather comes around. Pop in an exercise video or some music and exercise with your children. For those who are more creative, let loose and just dance. On a day that is not too cold, bundle up the kids and take a nature hike.

With so many choices you are bound to find a few actives that you can do as a family and make memories for your children and even create family traditions.

Sources: http://www2.scholastic.com/
http://www.essortment.com
http://www.stretcher.com