There are many things that will be different about this Holiday season. But the Holidays can still be joyful and filled with activities. Here are some things to do that will both occupy your kids and help them grow.
- Let’s get cooking! Parents may be spending more time in the kitchen at this time of year, even though there may be fewer folks over. Without the pressure of laying out a big spread for a large number of people, this can be an opportunity to teach family recipes, experiment with new dishes, or just invite your kids into the kitchen while you cook. It’s even okay if they just have a seat and watch what is going on in the kitchen. They pick up more than you might think just by watching. And, time in the kitchen together can be an opportunity to have a no-agenda conversation with your kids. There are some helpful age-appropriate ideas about cooking with kids here.
- Learn some family history. Many of the senior members of our families may have more time to themselves during the Holidays this year. This is a perfect opportunity to get these relatives on a video call or sit down with them if they are in your household and learn some family history through an informal question and answer session. Kids can let their relatives know the questions beforehand so they have a chance to think about the answers. They may even have some pictures and clippings to share that the kids might not otherwise have seen. Kids can ask older relatives about growing up, what was going on at the time in the country and in the world, what they did during the Holidays when they were kids, how they met their life partners, how they chose a career, etc. It would be great to have the child write a summary of the interview and share it with the relative interviewed as well as other members of the family.
- Volunteer! The need for volunteers has only intensified during the pandemic as many families have experienced difficult economic, social and medical and social circumstances. There are numerous ways to volunteer that are safe and appropriate for children and teens. Nonprofit organizations have been creative and adept at developing ways to keep volunteers safe. Many activities can be done from home or done virtually. And it is easy to go through closets and drawers at home to collect sample toiletries, winter clothing, toys and other items to donate. Children can even do a clothing, toy and/or food drive in their neighborhood and then arrange for drop-off or pick-up. Food drives are particularly needed due to food insecurity among many more families. There are some good ideas here about volunteer activities appropriate for these times.
- Practice manners and etiquette. Increased at-home time could be a good opportunity to practice how to set a table, engage in appropriate dinner conversation and use good table manners. These are useful life skills that must be taught and practiced so they become habits. In a smaller family dinner setting, there may be more opportunities to go over these things without embarrassing or pressuring a child.
- List some of the unexpected good things that have come out of quarantine. We all know the downsides of quarantine. But there have also been a few surprise good things that have come out of this situation. For example, many of us know our neighbors better. Remote work and school have afforded more flexible schedules and allowed parents and children to spend more time together. While more togetherness can be difficult at times, it can also strengthen family ties and draw us closer. Children may have learned a new hobby, refined a developing skill, or read more books. The point of this list is to get kids thinking more positively about their circumstances and what they might want to do in the remainder of quarantine and in some cases, continue when it’s over.
- I am grateful for… This year it is especially important for parents and kids to identify and say out loud the things they have to be grateful for even in these uncertain times. Doing this can give kids a greater sense of control over their lives and put the things they have missed or lost in a different perspective. It can be particularly useful for kids to hear more senior members of the family talk about what they are grateful for. Often it is the simple things that we take for granted that older family members have learned to appreciate.
If you have other ideas, we would love for you to share them and tell other Beccastone readers how those activities worked for your family.
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