There’s no getting around it. Thanks to the pandemic, this will be a holiday season unlike any other. Shopping trips to the mall, festive social calls, and the big family feast are all out the window. Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the holidays—and spend some quality time with the kids at home.
Here are five fun family-friendly activities to help make the season bright…
1) Build a gingerbread house
While you’ll want to make fewer trips to the grocery store this year, one thing you should be sure to pick up is the ingredients for your family’s favourite confections. Since you’ll have plenty of time to spend in the kitchen, why not try to construct a gingerbread house? Find a tried-and-true recipe online, consider downloading a pattern, and stock up on candy and sprinkles. Word to the wise: make plenty of sticky icing to hold everything together!
2) Create tree ornaments
Making tree ornaments is a fun way to get creative with your little ones. While there are many different types of decorations to try, one of the all-time classics is made of salted dough. Simply mix flour, water, and salt. Roll it all out, use cookie cutters to create shapes, and poke a hole in the top of each one with a toothpick. Next, throw them in the oven to bake—and pull out the kid-safe paints and glitter. Once the ornaments have cooled, it’s time to get decorating! Lastly, use some ribbon and the holes you’ve made to hang up your kids’ creations.
3) Host a virtual party
This is a great time to connect with those you care about, but doing so may be a little more challenging this year. That’s where Zoom comes in. The app has been a real lifesaver throughout the pandemic, and now it can even help you host the perfect holiday party. While catching up with extended family is a treat unto itself, you can make things more festive with holiday-themed trivia, karaoke, and maybe even an ugly Christmas sweater contest.
4) Make gift-giving fun
Now is the ideal time to help kids discover the joy of giving. This season, that’s probably going to mean gathering around the computer to choose the perfect gifts for loved ones. While skipping the in-person shopping may make you feel like you’re missing out, there are a few perks. This year, you can forget about the in-store lineups and mall parking nightmares. Don’t forget to set aside some time so your little ones can construct thoughtful cards!
5) Cue up the holiday movies
There’s nothing quite like a few festive films to get everyone in the spirit. Whether you’re introducing your kids to some old favourites (think, A Christmas Story or Frosty the Snowman) or re-watching a few modern classics (like Elf or Home Alone), a holiday movie marathon is a great way to relax. Just make sure you have some hot chocolate mix on hand—and maybe the ingredients for a hot toddy (for those old enough to partake).
Looking for other fun things to do with the family this winter? Learn what’s happening across the city in our neighbourhood guides!
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