Two women smile at the camera as they build a gingerbread house.

Winter Break

is a special time for kids
Here are some ideas of fun things to do when school is out.

In this blog post, we are sharing activity ideas for the winter break
and a Winter Break Bingo Card
to help kids stay active and spark Holiday season fun.

It’s winter break – what is the plan?

Research supports that there is evidence for reduced physical activities during the winter break, which leads to kids being super energetic and running around the house, jumping on the couch, having pillow fights, and so on (Emm-Collison et al., 2019).

Does this sound familiar? Yes — kids are kids, year in and year out, especially when they start feeling cooped up.

Here are some ideas to spark your child’s creativity and keep them busy and active.

  • Arrange some playdates in advance.
  • Set up limits for gadgets.
  • “Hide and seek” games help your kids be creative by finding the perfect hiding spots in a house.
  • Making a family movie together. We use this activity in our Feelings and Friends group, and it is always a hit.
  • Bake cookies or gingerbread house (from scratch). Kids love building stuff – let them create something tasty.
  • Build a fort and decorate it for the Holidays. I still remember building one with my dad. You will meet at least two goals: keeping kids busy and connecting with their world.
  • Make Christmas cards. This is lots of fun and gives us an opportunity to show kindness.

Winter Break Bingo Card

Here is a Winter Break Bingo Card you can use to spark your child’s creativity. Depending on their age and development, they will need your help and supervision with some of the activities.

Looking for a chill Superhero Story to read during the Winter Break?

Our team‘s child psychologists and Registered Social Workers each have a Superhero Story. Click on their bios on the KR team page to check them out!

Reference

Emm-Collison, L. G., Lewis, S., Reid, T., Matthews, J., Sebire, S. J., Thompson, J. L., & Jago, R. (2019). Physical activity during the school holidays: Parent perceptions and practical considerations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(10), https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6572055/

Meet the author

Natalie Bergman, MA, RPsych, CPT
Natalie Bergman, MA, RPsych, CPTChild Psychologist at Kids Reconnect
Natalie is a Director and co-founder at Kids Reconnect. She is an experienced child psychologist and Certified Play Therapist who uses her professional expertise and caring heart Superpowers to emotionally connect with children, helping them heal using play therapy and heart-to-heart conversations. Natalie also uses her profound insights into the world of children to help parents understand and connect with their child with love, gentleness, and patience. Today, and every day, she is grateful for family, friends, and the kids, parents, and therapists with whom she works and plays.

Meet the editor

Ana Hoepfner, BEc
Ana Hoepfner, BEcCommunications at Kids Reconnect
Ana is a writer and designer who delivers business results through creative, joyful communications that surprise and delight. Leveraging her 15+ year track record of successfully building and boosting corporate, personal, community, and non-profit local and international brands. Ana designed, copywrote, and manages the “spark-tacular” Kids Reconnect, Couples Reconnect, and CRCG websites, including this blog. Thank you and your kiddo for visiting our website!

Happy Winter Break!

Whatever the season,
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
We’re here to help kids, big and small
To learn, to grow, to thrive as they play.
If your kiddo needs help, do call us today.