Give Your Kids Holiday Homework Without Them Knowing

The winter break from school is often filled with travel plans and activities, but it is important to keep your elementary-age child learning over these weeks. Because kids also need a break from school and a chance to play, the best educational activities are ones where kids don’t realize they are learning. Bring on the holiday homework!

Get more Christmas inspiration — including Christmas recipes, holiday crafts and children’s activities.

Give Your Kids Holiday Homework Without Them Knowing

Read for pleasure

Whether your child is in the mood for holiday stories or the newest book in their favorite series, winter break provides the perfect opportunity to stash schoolbooks and read for fun.

Gather in front of your fireplace to take turns reading from classic holiday stories.

After reading, ask questions such as, “What was your favorite part?” or “What part didn’t you like?”

Cook up an easy lesson

Invite your child into the kitchen to help you whip up a special dish — from Christmas cookies to potato latkes.

Having your child help you with a recipe involved reading, writing and measuring.

As your child to help write up your shopping list before you hit the store.

Once you start cooking, have your child read the recipe aloud.

LEGO DUPLO Santa’s Gingerbread House6 Pack Christmas Squishy ToysChristmas Train Set- Around The Christmas Tree with Real Smoke, Music & LightsDIY Felt Christmas Tree Set

 

As you cook, talk about measurements and temperatures with your child.

Write thank you notes

Writing notes of appreciation to gift-givers teaches gratitude and helps practice writing and spelling skills.

Make sure to drink a cup of hot cocoa to make this task feel more festive.

Make the most of car rides

Turn the drive to or from a holiday get-together into an opportunity to practice letter and numbers.

You can look for license plates from different states, try to find the alphabet on the license plates or even count the number of red (or white, blue or green) cars you see.

Indoor Outdoor Twinkle Christmas LightsChristmas Window Clings Snowflakes Window DecalsChristmas Set of 3 Lighted Rattan Gift Boxes Decorations48 Inch Christmas White Luxury Faux Fur Tree Skirt

 

Try making this game even more meaningful by having your child graph the results and draw a conclusion about their observations.

Maintain reasonable bedtimes

With no school to get up for in the morning, it can be tempting to let kids become night owls.

A few days before school starts up, ease back into the regular bedtime schedule so your child can start the near year bright-eyed!

Ask for grocery list help

Have your child help choose what to buy, how much you need, check your supplies to see what you have already, write the list and sort coupons.

Try posing math-related problems.

For example, say you need two eggs for one recipe and three for another.

Ask them to determine if you currently have enough in the fridge or need to add eggs to your list.

Let kids help with online shopping

Need a last-minute gift for Grandma?

Log onto your favorite shopping sites and let your child help you select presents.

3pcs Elf Christmas DecorationChristmas Decorations Christmas Pillow CoversChristmas Candle LanternChristmas Centerpiece with 3 Candle Holders

 

This helps children work on their computer and research skills.

Have a family game night

Chances are, many of your family’s favorite board and card games reinforce skills such as counting, reading and drawing.

Gather the group to play games you usually don’t have time for on school nights.

Some to try include: Go Fish, Spoons, Cracy 8s, 500 Rummy and Hearts.

Create a scrapbook of the holidays

Have your child create a scrapbook of what they did over the break and write sentences on each page about the activities.

Use both picture that your child takes and pictures that you take of your child during the festivities.

Pick a theme

With your child, choose a theme to explore over the break.

If your child has expressed interest in outer space or dinosaurs, take this opportunity to learn more about the topic together.

Check out books from the library, take a field trip, conduct science experiments and create art projects all related to the theme.

3-Piece Lighted Christmas Reindeer Family SetChristmas Front Porch Sign Set320 LEDs Dipper Star String LightsLighted Winter Garden Flag

 

Most importantly, have fun with your child over the Winter Break and enjoy your time together!

Printable Christmas Fun!

Keep the fun going! Unwrap a delightful assortment of printable treasures that will add warmth, joy and learning to your Christmas celebrations.

• Minute To Win It Games
• Dear Santa Letter Coloring Page
• Christmas I Spy Games
• Santa Says Interactive Game
• Elf Coloring Pages for Kids
• Candy Cane Coding
• Christmas Charades
• December Mystery Puzzles
• Christmas Yoga
• No-Prep December Sensory Activities
• Elf on the Shelf Bingo
• Christmas Tic Tac Toe Game
• Christmas Tree Color by Coding
• Holiday Hats

So, dust off your printer and let the Christmas fun begin with our selection of delightful printables!