RECLAIM YOUR FAMILY
FAMILY TIME
during the holidays
Article first appeared in 2008.
Baking gingerbread cookies. Making snowmen from the fresh fallen snow. Drinking hot cocoa in front of the fireplace.
snowflakes made from recycled or scrap paper. They can be hung by the windows, doors or on the Christmas tree.
Many of the holiday traditions and warm memories we grew up with can be shared with our own children. It is also a wonderful opportunity to create new memories and traditions for our families that can be passed on to the next generation to come.
Outdoor play: There are many activities children can play outside. These include making snowmen, having snowball fights or sledding. Make sure the children are dressed for the weather. Always check the weather (from the TV, radio, internet, etc.) to make sure it is appropriate for children to be outside.
Here are a few ideas for enjoying the holidays with your children: Share Stories: Create a list of holiday stories that your children will enjoy. Each day, read a story and have discussions about it. For example, you may read T’was the Night Before Christmas and discuss what you would do if you were awaken by reindeer footsteps and saw Santa. You could also discuss what you liked about the story, what changes you would make to the story if you were to rewrite it, etc. Movie Night: There are many holiday movies that are appropriate for children, such as The Polar Express, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, etc. Many of these are shown on television and can also be found in your local library. Make it a movie night for your family. Turn the lights off, snuggle with a blanket, serve popcorn, and watch the movie. Arts and Crafts: Creating artwork together is time well spent. There are many holiday craft projects that are inexpensive and easy to make. For example, you can make and decorate
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Games: Although there are many board games that children enjoy, there are also some inexpensive games that children can play. For example, use the holiday story books and ask questions pertaining to the story. What are the names of Santa’s reindeer? What made Frosty come to life? What was the gift that the hero boy (main character) received from Santa in The Polar Express? The person or team that gets the correct answer gets a point. The team with the most points wins. Cooking: What would the holidays be without food? Cooking can be a family event. There are many cookbooks that can be found in your local library. Recipes can also be found on cooking programs on television, as well as the internet. The art of cooking doesn’t have to be elaborate. It may be as simple as making cookies and decorating them. Remember to take precaution when cooking with children. Celebrate this holiday season by making memories with your children that will last a lifetime.
©2011 Revive! Omaha Magazine
©2011 Photos.com
by Yvette Coppage