The kids are on break this week, and you have lots of cooking, shopping, and traveling to do. Take time for family fun with these ideas.
See a New Movie
This is definitely the week for family movie-going. Send them to see one of these movies for kids while you shop, or make it a family outing.
Try Out a Traditional Arts & Crafts Project
Knitting is a satisfying winter hobby, and it develops your elementary child's fine motor skills. Maybe grandmother would enjoy teaching granddaughter to knit this week.
This might be a good week to go through your used clothing and make donations to your local clothing bank. If your child just can't part with that outgrown, but treasured t-shirt, here's a sewing project that even an elementary child can do.
Get a start on your holiday gift list without hitting the malls by making presents as a family. It's the perfect way to get into the spirit of the season and keep your spending in check.
- Christmas Crafts
- Hanukkah Crafts
Play Some Old-Fashioned Games
You don't actually want to give the children the new toys you are buying this week. So, pull out your old games at home or at Grandma's. Play Monopoly, Clue, Yahtzee, or your family's favorite. Classic toys such as jacks and jump ropes are inexpensive ideas for satisfying the begging you're sure to hear in the toy stores. Our favorite? - Dominoes, $5.00 at the discount stores.
Put the Kids to Work
While you're busy preparing for Thanksgiving guests, let your child help. Two chores that kids can handle are cleaning their room and helping to set the Thanksgiving table. Try this tip from About Housekeeping on how to clean a child's room in fifteen minutes. It's simple enough for your child to get it.
Let your child set the table and make it fun by having them create the table centerpiece or print out Thanksgiving place cards that they can color and cut. These projects give them a sense of importance in their contribution to the Thanksgiving table, and is a good way to refresh their memory of all of the relatives' names.