Holiday Crafts and Activities for Christmas Break

The holidays are often associated with days and nights spent enjoying the company of friends and family. With COVID-19 having been the highlight of 2020, large holiday gatherings are being discouraged. But that doesn't mean that you and your quarantine partners can't enjoy the holiday season. From making a Christmas card to baking your favorite Christmas cookies, there are many crafts and activities that will bring the cheery spirit, keep your little ones entertained, and allow them to show their creativity. Here are our REALTORS® suggestions for crafts and activities that you can do with your kids over Christmas break at home.

• Cut Paper Snowflakes
  Making paper snowflakes is a fun activity that's easy to set up and execute. All you need are two essential supplies: paper and a pair of scissors. You probably have paper lying around in the house, but buying some origami paper or some colored construction paper can add some artistic flair and make the project more interesting. You can learn the basics of making paper snowflakes online, and once you're done, you can tape the snowflakes to the wall or hang them on the Christmas tree.
  
  
• Make a Baking Soda Volcano
  This is an oldie but a goodie. Baking soda is an interesting little substance you can use to show your kids just how cool science can be. A measure of this white powder, a bit of food coloring, and some white vinegar, and you have a bubbling flow of magma. You can use holiday-themed colors to bring the Christmas spirit.
  
  
• Bake Some Sugar Cookies or Gingerbread Men
  Baking cookies is a great daytime activity to keep your kids busy, create some memories, and make your home smell great. Depending on how old your kids are, they can help out as much or as little as they want. Allow them to decide if they want to add in chocolate chips, sprinkles, food coloring, cinnamon, or coconut. Pick out some holiday-themed cookie cutters and enjoy decorating your cookies.
  
  
• Make and Send Christmas Cards
  Our traditional social practices have greatly changed since the pandemic hit. Many have canceled their travel plans and missed out on gatherings with friends and family. This Christmas break, consider making cards and sending them to your loved ones to let them know you've been thinking of them.
  
  
• Watch Christmas Movies
  Spending an afternoon or evening watching holiday movies should be on your to-do list. Cuddle up under blankets with some popcorn and a warm cup of cocoa to make it feel extra special.
  
  
• Make a Popcorn-Cranberry Garland
  Do you have some leftover popcorn from your movie night? Use it to make some garlands for your doorways, Christmas tree, or mantle. If you don't have leftover popcorn, pop a batch and grab a bag of fresh cranberries. You'll also need a sewing needle and some string or fishing line. Younger kids can count the popcorn and berries to make an alternating pattern, and older kids and parents can do the threading.
  
  
• Launch a Candy Cane Hunt
  Hiding and hunting for candy canes can be a great afternoon activity for the entire family. Just like an Easter egg hunt, hide candy canes in different places and let your children collect them in a Christmas stocking or a Christmas-themed bag. You can make the activity more exciting by having a variety of colors of candy canes and giving out presents for the fastest or largest collection.

If you're planning to add your home to the list of Mansfield homes for sale this holiday season, contact us to learn about how to decorate your home without turning off buyers.