Ah, the holiday break—those magical days when school’s out, the house is bustling, and we parents are just trying to survive. Between the sugar highs and the endless questions about what to do next, it's easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. Fear not, fellow parents—we’ve got you covered! Here’s a whole list of boredom-busting activities that’ll keep your kids entertained all winter long, no matter the weather. Bonus: you’ll get a little peace and quiet (or at least a hot cup of cocoa) while they’re busy!
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Outdoor Fun: To Snow or Not to Snow!
Whether the weather’s cold or not (shoutout Texas), it’s time to head outdoors. Here are a few ideas to get them out the door:
- Sledding – Nothing says winter fun like racing down a snowy hill on a sled! It’s great exercise and even more fun when you can join in.
- Snowman Building Contest – Take your classic snowman up a notch by turning it into a family competition. Who can build the most creative snowman? Bonus points for props like hats and scarves! Hack: I found this Snowman Decorating Kit on Amazon that’s perfect for this! No Snow? No Problem. This DIY Build a Snowman Craft will let your kids still participate and decorate your house while they’re at it!
- Holiday Scavenger Hunt – A scavenger hunt is always a hit! You can make a festive version by hiding holiday-themed items (think: tiny ornaments, candy canes, or small toys) around the yard or neighborhood. Write out a checklist of things for them to find, and set them loose! Or, you can use our printable checklist here!
- Look at Christmas Lights – Take a nighttime stroll to check out the festive displays around town. Let the kids point out their favorites and snap a few pictures along the way—because who doesn’t love a good holiday photo op?
- Leaf Collage – Even if you don’t have snow, nature still provides! Send the kids on a hunt to collect all the colorful leaves they can find. Then, let them create a beautiful leaf collage using the textures and colors of the season. You can even make it a festive, holiday-themed project by turning their creations into leaf wreaths or ornaments. Here are some supplies you may want to have on hand for this: Mod Podge, holiday colored construction paper, and foam paint brushes
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Photography Adventure – Got a little photographer in the family? Hand over your phone (or even better, a kid-friendly camera) and take the kids on a photography adventure! Challenge them to capture all the festive lights, holiday decorations, or even cool nature shots. Bonus: It keeps them focused on something creative, and you’ll have adorable photos to look back on.
Indoor Fun: Stay Cozy, Stay Creative
Sometimes the weather just isn’t cooperating, and that's when the indoors turn into your saving grace. Whether your kids are crafty or prefer active games, these boredom busters are sure to fill their day:
- Ornament Painting – Set up a mini art studio in your kitchen and let the kids paint their own holiday ornaments. It's a fun activity that doubles as keepsakes for years to come! To make your life simple, check out this kit for your one-stop shop for this easy activity.
- Holiday Talent Show – Got a budding performer in the house? Host a family talent show where the kids sing their favorite Christmas songs, dance, or even recite a holiday poem. Bonus: record it for some hilarious future blackmail!
- Indoor Obstacle Course – Use pillows, blankets, and furniture to create an epic obstacle course through the house. Kids will love racing through the course, and you’ll love how tired they’ll be afterward. Now, if you’ve realized how great of an idea this is and want a permanent addition to your house or playroom, I suggest picking out a Pikler’s Triangle, especially if you have little ones. It tires them out and works their little muscles! There are many different options– this one is the full setup, but it is on the pricier side. Here’s a more affordable option. It doesn’t come with as many things, but it has great reviews.
- Holiday Movie Night – Build a cozy blanket fort (perfect excuse to break out that extra set of sheets) and set up a holiday movie marathon. Try out this movie projector for an ultimate movie experience– heck, even move it outdoors, weather permitting, for a magical memory your kids won’t forget!
- Gingerbread House Building – Set up a gingerbread house station and let your kids go wild with frosting, gumdrops, and candy canes. Bonus points if you can resist eating half the decorations!
- Holiday Karaoke – Who doesn’t love a good singalong? Set up a holiday karaoke session and let your kids belt out their favorite Christmas songs. You can find a fun karaoke machine online, like this mini one that is perfect for kids, or just use a music app to sing along to holiday classics.
- Life-Size Christmas Tree – Take your holiday decorating to the next level by creating a life-size Christmas tree out of paper! Tape large sheets of green paper like this to the wall, and let the kids color and decorate it to their heart’s content! It’s a fun way to decorate their own “tree” without the risk of damage or breakage.
When You Need Simple, Low-Key Fun
Sometimes, it’s the simplest activities that keep kids the most entertained. Here are a few low-effort boredom busters:
- Playboxes – you’re next obsession. My kids have been obsessed with these life-size cardboard boxes and will spend hours coloring and playing the heck out of it. There’s a Santa’s Workshop option that’s perfect for the holidays, but also comes in a rocket, fairy tale castle, birthday cupcake, or blank option!
- Reading Fort – Grab all the blankets, pillows, and favorite books in the house, and let the kids create a cozy reading fort. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy day of holiday prep. Need reading ideas? Check out our holiday book guide for kids and families.
- Christmas-Themed Activity Books – From crossword puzzles to coloring pages, holiday-themed activity books can keep little hands busy while giving you a breather. My kids love these paint by sticker books, which come in a Christmas version.
- Red and Green Magna-Tiles – We all know the appeal of Magna-Tiles, but why not add a holiday twist? Challenge the kids to create a Christmas tree or candy cane tower using only red and green pieces. Trust me, they’ll be entertained for hours. These Grinch-themed Magna-Tiles are so cute!
- Snowflake Decorations – Teach the kids how to make paper snowflakes, then hang them around the house for some extra holiday décor. This is one of those creative things to do when they’re bored, and the best part? Minimal mess! Pro Tip: If you have little ones, make sure to have these kid-friendly scissors on hand.
- Holiday Cards – Let the kids design and create their own holiday cards to give to family and friends. All you need is some holiday construction paper (this option has red and green), markers, and maybe a few stickers (100 pack of christmas stickers– wow!) or glitter for extra pizzazz. It's a sweet and simple way to keep them occupied and spread some holiday cheer.
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Puzzles & Board Games – On those cold afternoons when everyone just needs to relax, break out the puzzles or a fun holiday-themed board game. You can find holiday puzzles in all different sizes and difficulties, making them perfect for kids of any age like this. Check out this kid-friendly holiday classics: Mickey Mouse puzzle, Polar Express puzzle, or a Peanuts puzzle. This Disney Advent Calendar is also a fun option!
Get Involved in the Community (And Teach Some Holiday Spirit!)
The holidays are also a perfect time to teach kids about giving back. These activities are great ways to keep them busy while helping others:
- Toy Drives and Charity Events – Find a local toy drive or charity event that involves kids. It’s a fantastic opportunity to teach them the value of giving, and they’ll love picking out toys to donate.
- Holiday Bake Sales – Sign up for a local bake sale and let your kids help with the baking. Not only will they enjoy decorating cookies and cupcakes, but they’ll also feel proud to contribute to a good cause.
Wrapping It Up: You Got This!
Still need more ideas? Consider creating a holiday break bucket list with your kids. Have them write down activities they want to do, whether it’s visiting Santa or building the tallest snowman on the block. Better yet, make a jar full of ideas that they can pull from whenever boredom strikes. We have a printable download you can access here! Just cut it up for a fun and easy solution!
No matter what the weather or where you are, there are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained during the holiday break. Whether it’s sledding outside or building a blanket fort indoors, these boredom busters will save the day—and your sanity.
Happy holidays, and remember—you’ve got this! Now, go enjoy a little “you” time while the kids are busy with their next great adventure!
