Need winter break ideas? Your family winter break bucket list can be filled with fun family activities, snow activities, and more, even if you’re stuck at home for winter and can’t take trips for winter break. Here’s how with fun at home things to do!
WHY YOU NEED A WINTER BREAK WITH KIDS … ESPECIALLY IF YOU HOMESCHOOL
Before we get to our activities for winter break and what to do over winter break, let’s answer some common questions.
First, when does the winter break start?
When’s winter break?
Winter break dates vary by location, school, and college. Winter break traditionally occurs at the end of December, right before Christmas, and lasts into January through the New Year. But, as a homeschool family, you can take mid winter break anytime!
(And, your winter break end can be when you decide!)
How long is winter break?
Schools winter break is generally at least two weeks and sometimes more. The time off for kids varies for different school districts, so check with your school. If you homeschool, you can schedule your winter break to be as short or as long as you want your family winter vacation to last!
When does winter break end?
Winter break generally ends during the beginning of January. For most schools or colleges, that means the first or second week in January is the end of the winter break and school schedules resume as normal.
Why winter break is important?
Winter break is important because it gives students, teachers, and parents a break from the regular and rigorous school schedule. It is a time for rest, relaxation and resetting of mindsets. Winter breaks are also perfect for reconnecting with family and friends in relaxed and fun settings!
WINTER BREAK TIP:
Create a countdown to winter break with a fun countdown clock for kids to help the entire family get excited for time off.
What can you do at home during winter break?
Where To Go Winter Break (Even If You’re Stuck At Home and Can’t Take a Normal Winter Vacation)
Winter break ideas or Christmas break activities:
- Museums
- Local park for a winter hike or a sledding hill
- Bowling alley
- Local coffee shop with a fireplace
- Bakery for a cooking class
- Library (they have game nights, fun programs and more!)
- Arcade
- Ice skating rink
- Friend’s house for a winter bonfire
- Family member’s house for game night
- Winter break trips for a day to a local town or tourist attraction (or other local winter break destinations)
- Outside (doing anything – even in the cold!)
Your winter break vacation ideas are only limited by your imagination (even if you have to stay close to home!), so get to brainstorming what to do in winter vacation for school students!
WINTER TIME TIP:
Before break, get family ideas and make a winter break bucket list! Then, spend your break completing the family bucket list.
OK!
Let’s get to our winter time ideas!
Before we get to the list of fun things to do during winter break, let’s give you five tips on why you should have a winter break school, even if you home school.
Here’s what our contributor Anita Byler says about winter break and winter homeschooling…
Winter break is always a special time to me.
Not only do I love this time of year, I love the time away from school to get refreshed, refocused, and have fun.
Being a teacher and mother all wrapped into one is hard.
There are days it takes everything I have to keep going.
There are times I feel like I am losing who I am while keeping up with everyone else.
And, sometimes the responsibilities of being in charge of my children’s health, happiness, and education weigh heavily on me!
However, winter is a great time to take a homeschool break so you avoid homeschool burnout.
(And, the best part? As homeschoolers, your winter break start can happen anytime!)
5 Tips on How to Do a Homeschool Winter Break
(Don’t miss our full list of winter break activities after this section. KEEP SCROLLING!)
Homeschool Winter Break Tip #1: Have fun.
I laugh because even though I am far from a seasoned home schooler, I drag education into almost every area of our lives – games, DVDs, chores … whatever.
But, during winter break, give your teacher self a break and have fun instead.
Play games (educational or not) just for the fun of it and don’t feel obligated to mention and encourage anything the children might learn.
Let yourself laugh, and be carefree.
Watch holiday movies because they’re cute and funny … and stay up late because you’re not in “teacher and school mode” right now.
Whatever you do, don’t try too hard to make a winter break schedule. Just allow things to happen.
Homeschool Winter Break Tip #2: Be creative.
Get creative with some winter break camps!
Here is your chance to stray from the scheduled food menu and try new recipes!
Dig out the cookie cutters and try an easy cookie mix.
It cuts the mess and stress of cookies from scratch and is just as fun for the children.
Or, pick out a fun winter craft (and avoid anything just for the educational value alone)!
Camps for winter break ideas:
- Drawing camp
- Lego camp
- Arts and crafts camp
- Cooking classes camp
- Winter break reading challenge (only if your family loves to read!)
Homeschool Winter Break Tip #3: Make time for you.
To your home school, you are one of the most important ingredients.
If you want to start the new year with an inspired school then you must be inspired yourself.
Here is a chance to focus a little more on what you enjoy — whether in your mother-in-law’s farmhouse, a Vermont chalet, or in front of a fire on in a bathtub from the comfort of your own home, make time for what you love most.
If you have the chance, take some time away alone to a local coffee shop, the mall, or a even an afternoon with friends.
Rediscover the things that make you you and enjoy that beauty of that.
Homeschool Winter Break Tip #4: Spend time with God.
Too often as mothers and teachers our hearts and prayers are full of those we love.
We begin to identify ourselves by their progress and failures rather than by the love we have from our heavenly Father.
Revisit that love and let God remind you of who you are in Him apart from those around you.
He is a good Father and wants to give you a fresh vision, fill you with life, and satisfy your heart.
Homeschool Winter Break Tip #5: Refocus.
I put this one last for a reason!
Once you are revived and have had fun, take time to revisit your plans, hopes, and schedules.
What is working for you and your children?
What isn’t working?
What it is you what to accomplish in the coming months?
Rid your bookshelves (and unused curricula), without guilt, and ditch those unfinished books that aren’t functioning well.
Take time to research what might be better suited for the needs of your family (like a unit study approach).
If you are a schedule maker, go over your schedule and decide what you what to keep or change, always remembering the goal is the child, not the accomplishment.
Happy winter break.
Take time and enjoy!
Let’s get to fun ideas for winter break!
19 CREATIVE THINGS FOR KIDS TO DO DURING WINTER BREAK
If you need some fun things to do over winter break, here’s a great list!
Things For Kids To Do During Winter Break
These winter break activities are sure to help you focus on family time AND have fun!
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Contributor Anita covers the life of a mom navigating the enormous world of homeschooling. You can follow her on Instagram or visit her blog littlemomentsgreatjoy.wordpress.com.
WHAT ARE YOUR WINTER BREAK IDEAS?
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