Christmas Activities For the Kids over Winter Break

Christmas Grab Bag of Activities

Use some Christmas wrapping paper to make 3 inch squares. Have each member of the family write a family activity that does not require a great deal of planning of time to complete. Examples would be drive around looking at neighborhood Christmas lights, drinking hot chocolate and watching ,”It’s A Wonderful Life” or going sledding. If you have a two week Christmas break for the kids pick an event everyday of the vacation. Activities can be charitable like buying toys for a local charity or silly like making a wreath for the dog house.  Place your Christmas ideas in a stocking or Christmas hat and take turns drawing out the different suggestions.

Pine Cone Hunting and Basket Making

Take the kids pine cone hunting in a local park or other public outdoor area. Go to the second hand store and buy as many baskets as you think you want to use as gifts.  Have each child have at least one basket.   Use essential oils to scent the pine cones by putting them in plastic zip lock bags with at least 10 drops of oil per pine cone overnight. The pine cones should absorb the oil. If you do not want to use oil, cover the pine cones with a mist of vanilla extract or peppermint extract and dust them with cinnamon powder. Leave the pine cones in zip lock baggies over night to absorb the scent.  Put the pine cones in your baskets and tie ribbons on the baskets. Have your kids give the basket to a favorite neighbor, teacher, or coach.

Mitten Potpourri

Have the kids get baby or toddler mittens at the second hand store.  Buy or make pine scented potpourri. Fill the mittens about two thirds full with potpourri and tie the mittens closed with yarn or ribbon. The potpourri mittens can be used as scented ornaments or drawer sachets. You can also use them as decorations on packages.