Families are deep into the preparations for the upcoming holidays. With schools letting out for winter break parents may be looking for ways to engage their children in the holiday spirit. 
Many parents also have concerns about the consumerist push of the holiday season and are looking for ways to spread holiday cheer, without spending a ton of money or focusing on the consumerist side of the holiday. Here are some great ideas to enjoy the holiday with your kids and spread some holiday cheer along the way.
Bake or Cook Together
One great way to spend some time with your children is by cooking or baking some of your favorite holiday dishes. Take time to teach them how to prepare it and they will benefit in a multitude of ways. Cooking and baking not only teaches them valuable life skills but also works on math skills, coordination and motor development, planning skills, reading skills, patience, responsibility, and encourages creativity! If you are feeling up to it, help your child pick a new recipe that they would like to try.
Make Décor
Many kids enjoy getting crafty and making their own décor for the holidays. Pinterest has many ideas, or you can let them use their imagination and see what they come up with. Some easy ones are construction paper loop garland, popsicle stick or paper snowflakes, or pipe cleaner figures/shapes.
Make Holiday Cards or Pictures
Holiday cards or pictures are a great way to spread some cheer this season. It also teaches children that something handmade with love is valued and special for both the giver and receiver. Help your child think of who they would like to make something for. Would they like to hand-deliver it or send it in the mail? Do they want to give a little surprise for someone special to them? Helping children put thought into it develops important skills that they will carry with them into adulthood.
Compliment Others
This one is such a simple way to spread some holiday cheer with your children. When you are out and about this holiday season, make a point to compliment others. Children can see how something so small can mean so much to someone. While children may not be brave enough to compliment a stranger, seeing you role model this can build their confidence. They will then be more likely to do it themselves in the future (maybe starting off with friends or family). You can involve your child by seeing if they have something they’d like you to compliment about another person. For example, maybe they like another child’s sweater and you are the one to say “we really like your sweater!” Giving compliments can make both the giver and receiver feel good!
Small Acts of Kindness
Similarly to complimenting others, doing small acts of kindness can be a great way to spread holiday cheer. Some ideas may be holding the door for someone, offering to carry something to someone’s car, returning a shopping cart, using sidewalk chalk to draw a picture or leave a nice message at a park or in front of a neighbor’s house, or even making a homemade bird feeder or leaving food out for animals (that are nutritious for them to eat).
Volunteer
There are a variety of ways to volunteer during the holiday season. Depending on the age of your child you can find organized activities, or you can make something up yourself.
Other ideas:
- Encourage your children, or join with them, to put on a holiday performance or puppet show. Kids may enjoy making “tickets” and “programs” that can be handed out to family members in attendance.
- Sing songs together
- Read holiday stories together. If you have family that is farther away you could video chat story time with loved ones that are not nearby.
- Drive around and look at the holiday lights in neighborhoods nearby.
- Make up a holiday game (or head over to Pinterest for a plethora of ideas)
- Build a holiday puzzle
- Visit a nursing home, community center, or animal shelter
- Play holiday themed charades or Pictionary
- Take fun/silly holiday pictures and let your kids send them to their friends and family.
As the holiday season approaches, it’s a wonderful opportunity to bond with your children and create lasting memories that aren’t centered around consumerism. By focusing on activities like cooking, crafting, volunteering, and spreading kindness, you can foster a spirit of giving and creativity that will stay with your family for years to come. These simple yet meaningful experiences will not only bring joy to those around you, but also teach your children valuable lessons about the true essence of the holidays. This season, embrace the moments that matter most, and enjoy the simple pleasures that make the holiday with your kids so special.
