Cheap Ways to Entertain Your Kids on Winter Break

Parents who have recently purchased holiday gifts often find themselves looking for low-cost options to entertain their children over winter break. From visits to fun venues around town to volunteering with the less fortunate, parents have plenty of choices to keep kids busy over break without spending a lot of money.

When children start acting out, fighting with siblings or complaining about boredom during a school break, it may be time to get them out of the house. Check out local museums, visit the library or head to the movies to provide entertainment on a budget.

Many parents take joy in feeding the birds with their kids; not only does this provide a tasty snack for the feathered guests in the yard, it is also a good chance to teach kids how to make birdseed cookies or how to build a bird feeder.

Savvy parents know that it is never too early to begin sharing a passion for theater with their youngsters; take in a performance at a community theater, and then write a play that the family can perform. Parents who build sets, design costumes and invite close friends or family members to watch may create a lifelong love of theater in their children.

Both young children and their older siblings may enjoy spending a large part of winter break playing board games; while this activity may not sound like much fun to some kids, parents can organize tournaments, create a leader board and even offer small prizes or extra privileges to the winner.

Parents with older children and teenagers may want to consider giving their son or daughter plenty of time to rest and relax before the craziness of his or her school life reconvenes. It may also be a nice change from routine to allow your child to invite friends over for movies, video games and snacks; this way everyone’s kids are supervised in a safe environment.