How To Survive Winter Break With The Kids

‘Tis the season for family gatherings, warm sweaters, hot cocoa and, of course, winter break.

Did your heart skip a beat or two when you read those last two words? You’re not alone. Those two little words can strike fear in the hearts and minds of parents across the globe. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my daughter over break, but sometimes I think that I may literally go insane if I hear, “Mommy, I’m bored” one more time. (Is anyone else with me on this?) So, I’ve come up with a few tips on how to survive winter break with the kids and help you and you kiddos get the maximum enjoyment out of winter break with minimal drama!

How to Survive Winter Break with the Kids

1. Relax a little

Winter break is a great time to ease up a little bit on your normal household rules.

Have strict bedtimes for the kids? Let them stay up a little later on occasion. Spend a cozy late night on the couch with them watching holiday movies and snacking on popcorn and hot cocoa. Or load everyone up in the car and drive around the neighborhood to look at light displays.

Non-negotiable limits on screen time? Allow the kids to spend a little extra time playing Minecraft or watching their favorite YouTuber make a batch of glitter slime. (Seriously, what is it with kids and the slime obsession?!)

2. Spend time with family

The holiday season typically allows people to take some time off of work. This is a great opportunity for your kids to spend time with family members that they may not see as often during the rest of the year. Allow them to spend an extra night with grandma or grandpa, or invite their cousins over for a sleepover.

If they spend time with family outside of your home, use that kid-free time to relax and do something for yourself. (Mani-Pedis, anyone?)

3. Get Outside

It can be far too easy to stay curled up on the couch with your favorite blanket this time of year. Encourage the kids to go outside and – even better – throw on your coat and gloves and go out with them! Organize an outdoor scavenger hunt. Engage in a snowball fight. Have a snow sculpture building contest. Go for a walk and enjoy the cool winter air,and each other’s company.

4. Do something fun!

As a child, I always remember my mom planning something fun to do on the last day of break. It became something that I looked forward to each year and was always something exciting to share with my friends when we went back to school.

You don’t need to take your kids to Disneyland or drop boatloads of money to create fun family memories. Take the kids out for bowling and a movie. Spend a day at a local museum. Go to a sporting event. Use your creativity and plan an activity that you know the whole family will love! End winter break with smiles all around!

Surviving winter break with happy kids and (most of) your sanity is possible. It just takes a little creativity, some planning and lots of patience! You got this!

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