Hey everyone! This busy working mom is in the post-Christmas mode now, just like you - Trying to put things away, integrate all the new "stuff" in with the old "stuff," AND keep my kids entertained over their many days off. I really relish this time to be with them, but often I run out of ideas.
Here are my ideas for a fun Winter Break with kids. Please ADD YOURS!! Some cost money and some don't - some are exclusive to Kitsap County but many are not. Thanks!
1. Take a hike - Bundle up! My kids may act like they don't want to on the way there, but give them some sticks and pine cones to throw off of hillsides, and they're happy! Recently, on a hike near Wildcat Lake, they busted open frozen puddles with sticks and thought that was THE BEST! I loved it, too, because it was free!
2. Hot cocoa dates at Starbucks. Sometimes they have games there, but we usually take Uno, checkers, or a chess board, just in case.
3. Bowling. We especially love All-Star Lanes in Silverdale.
4. Indoor Pool. YMCA or Bainbridge Island Aquatic Center.
5. Board games at home. Make it a little more festive by laying a blanket down in a room where you don't ordinarily play board games. This way it can double as a "carpet picnic," too.
6. Carpet picnics :)
7. ART - pull out the art supplies that you rarely have time to use... paints, Moon sand, create a mural on a large roll of newsprint... Go nuts! Grandparents love being surprised with New Year's masterpieces in the mail.
8. Dollar store shopping spree! Have the kids spend their own chore money.
9. Volunteer at a local food bank. You'll be surprised how easy it is, and how fun it is, for kids to sort cans and it really helps!
10. Models or puzzles. Time-consuming and inexpensive. It can be a L'ego creation, automobile or motorcycle model, dollhouse, or just a good-old fashioned puzzle that they pick out.
Okay - I'm exhausted at 10 ideas but I would love your ideas too! Where would parents be without other parents to share ideas with! Happy Winter Break and Happy New Year! Cheers!
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