When Christmas is over and New Year's hasn't arrived, families often find themselves in a weird in-between stretch. Decorations are still up, kids are bouncing between excitement and boredom, and routines are paused. But instead of letting the days blur together, this week can be one of the most magical parts of the holiday season. Here are some fun, simple activities to keep your kids engaged, connected, and smiling until the ball drops.
1. Make Your Own Snow Indoors
Whip up a batch of fake snow using shaving cream and baking soda. It’s cold, moldable, and makes a great sensory activity. Let the kids build mini snowmen or use cookie cutters to make winter shapes. Bonus: it smells fresh and cleans up easily.
2. DIY Hot Chocolate Bar
Create a cozy treat station with mugs, hot cocoa packets, and toppings like marshmallows, sprinkles, candy canes, and whipped cream. Let the kids customize their own perfect cup, then snuggle in with a holiday book or movie.
3. Cardboard Box Creations
Got leftover boxes from holiday deliveries? Turn them into forts, cars, castles, or pretend stores. Provide markers, stickers, scissors, and tape, and let their imaginations do the rest.
4. Head Outside for Fresh Air Fun
Go for a walk, sled, take a short winter hike, or simply explore a park. The fresh air will break up the indoor energy and reset everyone’s mood.
5. Make-Your-Own Pizza Night
Grab some mini pizza crusts or naan bread and let everyone build their own personal pizza. Set out bowls of toppings like sauce, cheese, veggies, pepperoni, and pineapple. Then bake and taste-test together.
6. Homemade New Year’s Eve Noisemakers
Craft festive noisemakers from paper towel rolls, dried beans or pasta, and washi tape or foil. Kids will love shaking them during the countdown on New Year’s Eve.
7. Indoor Winter Obstacle Course
Use pillows, scarves, and jump ropes to create a movement course inside. Kids can crawl under blankets, hop over "icebergs," and tiptoe across imaginary snow bridges. Time them for an extra challenge.
That stretch of time between Christmas and New Year's doesn’t have to feel like a lull. With just a few simple supplies and some imagination, you can turn the week into one filled with creativity, connection, and laughter. Whether you’re crafting snow indoors, building a cardboard castle, or sipping cocoa in your pajamas, these activities offer the perfect way to wind down the year together. Embrace the pause, enjoy the play, and get ready to head into the new year with full hearts and happy kids.
