Winter break is here, and we all know the drill—keeping kids entertained while sneaking in a bit of creativity and learning. The solution? Fun activities that spark joy and keep little hands busy! From pretend play to holiday crafts, here’s your ultimate list of winter break magic (with a little help from our festive printables).
1. Indoor Snowball Fight
No snow outside? No problem! Grab balled-up socks or soft plush “snowballs” for an epic indoor snowball fight. Set up forts with couch cushions and use our Christmas Gift Tags as a fun way to “earn points” for hitting targets or capturing the flag.
2. Run a Gingerbread Bakery
Turn your living room into a bustling bakery with our Gingerbread Bakery Dramatic Play Set! Your kids can take orders, make “cookies,” and play cashier with our fun printables. Bonus: Let them decorate real cookies to bring the bakery vibes to life.
3. Write a Letter to Santa
Make Santa letters extra special with our Santa Letter Template! It’s a festive way to get kids thinking about what they’re grateful for, while sneaking in a bit of handwriting practice. Pro tip: Save these letters as a keepsake for years to come.
4. DIY Hot Cocoa Bar
Warm up with a hot cocoa bar! Use mugs, marshmallows, sprinkles, and candy canes to set up a cozy drink station. Add an extra festive touch with our Christmas Gift Tags—let kids use them as custom “labels” for their cocoa creations.
5. Cozy Christmas Movie Night
Dim the lights, grab some blankets, and queue up family favorites like The Polar Express or Home Alone. Use our Gingerbread Bakery printables to create a snack station with popcorn, cookies, and cocoa. It’s like the movies, but better!
6. Advent Calendar Countdown
Make every day feel special with our printable Advent Calendar. Fill it with simple treats, family challenges (like who can wrap a present the fastest!), or holiday jokes to keep the countdown fun and festive.
7. Indoor Ice Skating
No ice rink nearby? Tape wax paper to your kids’ feet, clear a space, and let them “skate” across the floor. It’s silly, fun, and guaranteed to get some giggles. Bonus points if they pretend they’re stopping by your Gingerbread Bakery for a post-skate snack!
8. Gingerbread House Decorating Party
Host a decorating party with frosting, candies, and cookies. Before the decorating begins, let the kids color the bonus gingerbread pages included in our Gingerbread Bakery Set—it’s the perfect warm-up activity!
9. Indoor Obstacle Course
Turn your living room into an obstacle course with furniture, pillows, and blankets. Add challenges like balancing a stuffed animal on their head or crawling under a “snow tunnel.” Our Gift Tags can double as “medals” for completing each round.
10. Christmas Dance Party
Turn up the holiday tunes and let the kids dance it out. Have a freeze-dance contest or make up silly choreography to their favorite songs. Use our Gift Tags to award prizes for “Most Festive Dancer” or “Best Snowflake Spin.”
11. Snow Science Experiments
Bring a little learning into the mix with DIY snow! Combine baking soda and shaving cream to make snow you can squish and mold. Turn it into a sensory activity while using our Santa Letter Template to jot down what they “discovered.”
12. DIY Christmas Crafts
Spend an afternoon crafting with supplies like glitter, pipe cleaners, and construction paper. Kids can make personalized ornaments, garlands, or even mini presents. Use our Gift Tags to label their creations for an extra festive touch.
13. Host a “Christmas Café”
Turn your kitchen or playroom into a cozy café! Use our Coffee Shop pretend play printable, which includes special Christmas-themed signs, to add that holiday magic. Your kids can “take orders,” serve cookies and cocoa, and even practice counting with play money. Add real snacks for an edible twist—and don’t forget to order your own festive latte from the cutest barista in town!
14. Winter Storytime Adventure
Snuggle up by the tree with a stack of holiday books. Add an interactive twist by encouraging kids to write or draw their own Christmas story using our Santa Letter Template as inspiration.
15. New Year’s Eve Countdown Crafts
Get ready to ring in the new year with DIY crafts like party hats, noise makers, and countdown chains. Use our Advent Calendar to count down the hours with fun mini activities or challenges leading up to midnight!
Winter break doesn’t have to mean endless cries of “I’m bored!” With these ideas (and our festive printables), you’ll create magical moments that your kids will talk about for years to come.
Ready to make this the best winter break yet?
Grab your printables now and let the holiday fun begin!
