During winter break, parents often find themselves looking for fun and educational activities they can do with their kids. While winter break is a great time for playing, relaxing, and sleeping in, it’s also important for kids to keep their minds sharp while they’re away from school.
By engaging in activities that stimulate creativity and discovery, you can prevent learning loss and ensure that your child will have a smooth transition back to school in the new year!
Why are educational winter break activities important?
Research shows that extended periods away from school can lead to learning loss, where children forget some of what they’ve learned during the school year. While winter break is shorter than summer, the disruption in routine can still make it harder for students to jump back into the classroom ready to learn in January.
Winter break presents several unique challenges for students. Between holiday celebrations and family gatherings, students may not have a lot of time to dedicate to academics. Additionally, the colder weather can limit outdoor play and physical activity, which are important for overall cognitive health and well-being.
Parents may also find it challenging to keep their children engaged in meaningful ways while balancing work and holiday preparations. We recommend planning a few things to do over winter break in advance. By finding simple ways to keep your kids mentally active during the break, you can ensure that they will return to school feeling prepared.
Winter break activity suggestions for kids
How can you balance holiday fun with learning? Here are a few ways parents can encourage their children to keep learning over the winter break.
1. Set reading goals
At the beginning of the break, set a realistic reading goal based on your child’s age and reading level. Then, make a trip to your local library and have your child pick out a handful of books. If your child meets their reading goals by the end of the break, reward them with a special prize like a new toy or a trip to their favorite restaurant.
Make sure to balance required reading for school with reading for pleasure. While you’re at the library, encourage your child to check out whatever books interest them the most. The sky’s the limit!
2. Conduct at-home science experiments
There are plenty of simple and engaging science experiments you can conduct from the comfort of home! For activities related to the season, consider these ideas:
- Explore the science behind ice melting
- Create your own snowstorm in a jar
- Learn about condensation and frost
- Observe how the volume of snow changes once it melts into water
- Make fake snow out of baking soda and shaving cream
- Experiment with dissolving hot cocoa powder in different temperatures of water
3. Make winter-themed arts and crafts
Arts and crafts are some of the best winter break activities for elementary students. Festive crafts allow your child to get creative and hone their fine motor skills while celebrating the season! You may be surprised how many crafts you can make using supplies you have in your house right now. For instance, you can create a snowman out of cotton balls, transform a toilet paper roll into a penguin, or cut paper into snowflakes.
4. Get into the kitchen
There is so much your child can learn by getting involved with holiday cooking. Whether it’s measuring ingredients, adjusting recipe quantities, or observing what happens when different ingredients are combined, cooking provides a practical way for children to apply math and science concepts in real life.
5. Incorporate learning into screen time
Many parents end up allowing their child more screen time while school is out of session. You can make the most of your child’s time in front of computers or tablets by looking for options that allow your child to have fun while keeping their mind sharp. For recommendations, check out this list of free educational apps, games, and websites.
6. Have a family game night
Is your family at a loss for what to do over winter break? Consider hosting a family game night! Game nights are a great way to spend quality time together. Plus, your kids will be practicing skills such as math and literacy. Whether you play a classic board game like Yahtzee or opt for something more unique, you’ll be promoting teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
7. Learn about different holiday traditions
Take some time over winter break to learn about different holiday traditions from around the globe. You and your child can read books about various holidays, listen to music from different parts of the world, or try out traditional recipes from other cultures. You can also strike up conversations with friends or extended family members to see how their holiday traditions vary from your family’s.
8. Write personalized holiday cards or thank you notes
Creating personalized holiday cards or thank you cards is a fun winter break activity that can help your child work on their spelling, vocabulary, and penmanship. Encourage your child to get creative with their cards by adding their own embellishments or drawings. Best of all, this exercise will teach them about the importance of expressing gratitude for the gifts they received over the holidays!
9. Go for a nature walk
If you live somewhere that doesn’t get too cold in the winter (we’re looking at you, Arizona BASIS Charter School families!), then we encourage you to get outdoors during the break. Not only do nature walks promote physical wellness—they’re also an awesome way to introduce your child to different plants, flowers, and animals. During the walk, encourage your child to make observations about their surroundings. For example, how does the environment look different in the winter vs. other times of the year?
10. Attend events in your community
Check to see if any local libraries or educational institutions are hosting events over the winter break. Attending educational events in the community is a great way to keep your child from going stir crazy during their two-week break. Get into the holiday spirit with neighborhood light shows, parades, or holiday singalongs. Alternatively, take advantage of your child’s time off of school by taking a field trip to your local zoo, museum, or aquarium.
We hope these tips help you combine education and entertainment during the winter break! If you’re looking for a way to keep your child’s passion for learning ignited year round, consider enrolling them in BASIS Charter Schools.
With an accelerated curriculum, expert teachers, and a supportive learning environment, BASIS Charter Schools are committed to setting students up for success. We instill a love of learning in our students and encourage them to discover new interests at every grade level!
Join us for an upcoming school tour or event to learn more about our curriculum and school culture.
