By: Mona Ismaeil

 

 

With Winter Break just around the corner and being in a state of a pandemic, we will be experiencing a very different holiday season than we are used to. 

It’s easy to fall into the mindset that we will be “stuck”, kids will be “bored” and generally become overwhelmed with all the restrictions. There wont be weekend visits with the grandparents or sleepovers with cousins. Even a day of sledding will be a family affair and not a big gathering, sharing sleds, hot chocolate, and endless slides until your little ones cant feel their fingers anymore. We are here to help with just that.  We have put together a list of 7 fun and exciting things you can do with your children this Winter Break

1. Get Exploring: You would be surprised what you can find right in your own backyard. Going for a walk around your neighbourhood may not sound exciting which is why we recommend using one of a number of apps available to you in the Google Play Store that can recommend new and exciting places to explore in your city.  Not sure which app to download? Try All Trails: Hiking, Running and Biking.

2. Get Creative: Kids love arts and crafts, that’s no secret! But we aren’t all Pinterest Moms. No problem! There are a number of ways to allow your kids to have fun and get artsy without you getting too overwhelmed.

  • Stock up on art kits. These can be found at Walmart, Dollarama, and Dollar Tree. They are a simple craft that the kids can have fun doing on their own or with a little bit of help.  They usually include some cutting, pasting, building, or easy sewing.
  • Have a free for all. These are fun for kids that want the free range to be creative.  Give them some basic supplies and see what kind of magic they create. Supplies can be Paper, cardboard boxes, pipe cleaners, googley eyes, pompoms, stickers, glue, scissors, etc.
  • Turn to the professionals.  Pinterest and Youtube have so many great and easy arts and crafts. Why not introduce your children to guided drawing. It’s an amazing step-by-step way for children of all ages to learn to draw.  Be sure to subscribe to Art For Kids Hub on Youtube, you’ll thank me later!

3. Get Active: It is so important for children to get enough physical activity. This supports a healthy body, mind, and spirit. With Canadian winters, you can’t always rely on being able to get outdoors so what else can you do?

  • Have a dance party!
  • Do a family workout. You’ll need it too!
  • Set up a fun obstacle race through your house. Ex. Crawl up the stairs, do 10 jumping jacks, go around the pylons, etc. It doesn’t have to difficult, just get those little ones moving.
  • Yoga for kids with Cosmic Kids Yoga. It’s a combination of yoga and storytelling
  • Go sledding
  • Build a snowman

4. Get Some Quiet: Having some quiet time is a great way to reel things back in after a full day. It doesn’t have to be a lonely quiet time. Recommend everyone grabs a puzzle or book or colouring to do and find a cozy, comfy spot. They can still be co-playing just quietly.

5. Get Cooking: Baking or cooking with kids can be terribly stressful! I never used to do it because it’s a big mess and everything takes a million times longer. Then one day I thought I’d try it. The looks on their faces as they helped me with a lasagna was priceless. They were so proud of the finished product.  The same happens with our Saturday morning pancakes.  Some ideas for meals they can help with:

  • Salads
  • Casseroles
  • Baking
  • Sandwiches
  • Pasta
  • So much more….

6. Get Watching: Trust me you will want to throw on some TV and plop them down on the couch for a bit. Nothing wrong with that. The only advice I have is to choose shows that they can learn something from. There are a ton of great shows on Netflix and Disney +.  Here are some you may want to check out:

  • Justin Time
  • Magic School Bus
  • Super Why
  • Wild Kratts
  • National Geographic

7. Get Winning: Dust off all those board games you haven’t touched in years. Family game nights are really so fun! It’s a great time to bond, challenge one another, and have a ton of laughs. Why not introduce your little ones to some of the classic games like Snakes and Ladders, Connect Four or Guess Who.

Remember that this too shall pass, but in the meantime try and have as much fun as you can with your family. Make the most of every moment together and make some amazing memories. Don’t forget to snap some pictures too!

About the Author

Mona Ismaeil is the Associate Editor Muslimmoms.ca.  She is a modest fashion blogger, writer, and community organizer.  Mona advocates for Muslim women and promotes their civic engagement, builds interfaith bridges, and is passionate about bringing awareness about Islamophobia to light in public forums. A trained teacher and seasoned educator, Mona lectures on a variety of subjects across the province, including Islamophobia, bullying, building acceptance, and multiculturalism. Her favourite things to do are to travel and spend time with her 2 children enjoying all Edmonton has to offer!