Five Things to Do With Your Kids During the Holidays

As the winter sets in, ice skating is a favorite pastime that also won't cost you a lot of money. If you plan to enjoy ice skating on a pond or lake, be sure to check with local authorities to ensure it is safe. (Photos.com)

The holiday season is upon us, and with it extended time to spend with family and friends. Here are five quick ideas for you to implement with your kids during the holiday season:

Go Ice Skating. In cold northern areas, you may know of some shallow ponds and lakes that allow skating. Make sure that it is allowed by the city or town and that the temperature has been below freezing for an extended time to ensure your safety. You can also check your local yellow pages for public skating rinks. Many areas offer ice time for very little cost.

Discover Old Photographs. Old family photos are a great source of conversation and can fuel a lot of discussion about past memories. You can have a lot of fun learning about family history and old relatives you’ve never met before.

Build a Gingerbread House. This is a fun activity because you get to eat it at the end. It is likely that you can find the ingredients you need in the cabinets already. Be creative and try to make something colorful and delicious—something your guests will want to inquire about when they stop in for a holiday visit. You can try searching online for some recipes to get the gingerbread going. Once you have that as your foundation, the rest is easy.

Visit a Soup Kitchen. During the season of giving, so many of us are often caught up in the hullabalub of commercialism and the ever present need to buy things for people. Why not try something different this year and volunteer some time for those people less fortunate than ourselves? Many cities and towns have places to serve food to folks who might otherwise be hungry. Why not give something a little different this year?

Make a Calendar. In a little less than a month, the year is about to turn anew. Making your own calendar (perhaps with some of the old photos you dug out earlier) can provide you with a fun project that will last you through the year ahead. You can customize squares with color schemes or pictures to give creative themes to holidays and birthdays. Make several and give them as gifts to your loved ones.

Voilà. I hope that these ideas can create a little momentum for you as the winter season sets in. With a little creativity and some enthusiasm, any one of these activities can provide you with several hours of enjoyment at very little cost. Have fun!