Although winter break gives children time to take a learning break and relax, many parents want them to maintain an active mind. Incorporating educational activities during extended breaks exercises the brain and makes for a smoother transition back to school. Here are a few tips on how to create an educational winter break:

Visit a Museum

Sure, history books are fun and contain plenty of interesting information, but a more hands-on experience is much more engaging. Whether you visit an art, science or history museum, you’ll enjoy a more interactive way of learning about the subject. Visiting a museum is a good way to teach children about the world around them and celebrate different cultures. It stimulates curiosity and critical thinking skills through observation and analysis of artifacts.

Attend Winter Camp

Attending winter camp is a great way to keep kids from sitting alone in the house and get them involved in group activities. Children participate in a variety of group activities, both indoors and outdoors, that target different areas of learning and encourage teamwork. It also offers a way to foster social skills and meet new friends. Outdoor activities and sports encourage kids to get active, while indoor activities like crafts and STEM projects foster creativity and critical thinking. 

Incorporate Reading Time

Snuggling up for family reading time is a great activity to add to the winter break routine. Ensuring your child takes the time to read during breaks keeps them mentally sharp while developing their language skills, building vocabulary and fostering imagination. You can even encourage your child to learn about the world around them by reading books that talk about how different cultures celebrate the holidays.

Write Holiday Greeting Cards

Holiday greeting cards are a terrific creative outlet for children. Give them some construction paper, markers, stickers and other fun materials to decorate beautiful holiday cards for loved ones. Then, encourage them to write a heartfelt message. This develops their creative writing skills and teaches them about the importance of being kind to others. 

Bake Holiday Treats

Baking holiday treats is not only a fun activity to bring the family together, but a way to teach practical skills – not to mention it’s delicious! Children can develop fine motor skills through mixing, kneading, pouring, and decorating. They also learn basic math concepts, such as measuring and ratios, as well as basic science concepts, like how ingredients interact. Incorporate a few of these activities into your routine for a positive and educational winter break. Keep your child’s mind active and cognitively engaged while helping them retain important concepts learned in school. At Lake Forrest Prep, we’re committed to enriching our students’ education, even on winter break! Visit our website to learn more about how we encourage each student to reach their greatest potential as responsible, productive and capable individuals.