Design Crafters

More on what to do with the kids during Christmas break…

Many kids these days don’t get enough sunlight and exercise. They tend to spend too much “screen” time being inactive. Science is actually showing us that sunlight and exercise are two vital components for happy healthy kids. So   assuming the weather is decent and the kids are dressed appropriately, send the munchkins outside to burn off their energy and get the sunshine they need for strong bones. I’ve found with my son, the more he’s inside cooped up, the more he drives me crazy. Perhaps yours are the same. If there’s snow, they can build snowmen, snow forts, go sledding, etc. If you’re real lucky, you live in a place where it’s cold enough to have a skating rink in your own backyard. For the snow free states, there’s always rollerblading, the park and all those other warm weather activities.

The other day I mentioned that depending on the activity, you may have to take a time out for a short period of time to get the kids underway. If playing it right, you can find a way to make an outing an extended interest for the kids.  For example, if you take them to the planetarium, that will peak their interest in that subject. If your budget allows, buy something with that subject in mind that will keep them entertained for a while. There are even wonderful websites with all kinds of free downloadable activities that the kids can do. www.NASA.gov is a great resource for that. So it will require some planning ahead and a little time out for you, but then you’ve set the stage for some “kid occupied time”.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for joining us in our photo Christmas cards blog.

The kids are going to be out of school for Christmas break soon. Are you worried they’re going to bouncing off the walls and driving you crazy like last year. Last year, every time you got on the phone with someone, the kids started talking to you or fighting with each other. Yet when you weren’t on the phone, it didn’t happen.  You could even tell the people on the other end of the phone line were getting annoyed and wanted to hang up on you. (It really is annoying to be on the receiving end of a kid screaming into the phone). You were ready to throw what little patience you have left, out the window. 

What on earth can you do this year to avoid this frustration, keep them entertained and out of your hair during the Christmas holidays?!

The idea is to be prepared in advance and come up with some age appropriate projects or activities that will keep them entertained and that won’t need you.
Obviously some of the activities will still cause you to take a time out from the planning, but it will ease their craving for your attention and if you plan it right, you can make it so they become independently interested in something else.

Also, the activities you choose are going to depend on things like your budget, resources around you, safety of your neighborhood and the age of your kids.

Join us tomorrow in Photo Christmas Cards blog for some suggestions of activities for the kids during Christmas break.