Kids and Christmas break go together like peanut butter and jelly. Whether the youngsters are part of the elementary school set, or have recently joined the ranks of middle schoolers, they probably view their Christmas/New Year’s vacation in much the same way. In other words, they plan to sleep late and lounge around playing with their tech devices all day.
However, you have considerably different plans for the kids’ time away from school. You’ve compiled a list of enticing home-based activities, along with suggestions for three Murphy, NC community field trips. If the weather cooperates, you might even take the youngsters to the great outdoors. Simply speaking, you intend to get them off the couch and give them a Christmas break they won’t forget.
DREAM UP SOME INDOOR ACTIVITIES
Start a Scrapbooking Tradition. Remembering Christmas Day – and all your family’s holiday gatherings – will be more fun when you view the event’s photographs. So, invite the kids to create a scrapbook of this year’s festivities. After you print out the best pictures, set up a table with paper, markers, and lots of decorative supplies. Include child-friendly materials such as glitter and stickers. Then, let the kids’ imaginations run wild, and encourage them to unveil the result during a special family dinner.
Design an Indoor Painting Studio. Painting seems to unleash the creativity in everybody – regardless of their age. Kids seem to especially enjoy this art form. Turn a spare room into a painting studio, covering the space with plastic and removing any objects you’d like to keep spatter-free. Then, equip your young artists with washable paint and large paper sheets. Provide a space where they can proudly display their finished artwork.
Set Up a Kids’ Talent Show. Everybody enjoys a family talent show, especially if there are prizes involved. So, announce that you’ll host a family talent night where each child can showcase their performance skills. Singing, dancing, feats of strength – it’s all on the table. Encourage the kids to practice beforehand, and award a special prize to the winner(s). Take video of the occasion, and watch it again over a family pizza party.
Host a Living Room Campout. Although camping in the woods is off limits during the winter, kids will enjoy a living room camp-out just as much. Announce the trip in advance, and set up your tent (or make one with blankets and chairs) in a corner of the living room. If space doesn’t permit, move the event to the family room. Plan some kid-friendly campfire games, tell stories, and make s’mores on the stove while you stay toasty warm.
GET OUT IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Explore Your Local Library. Although you might not realize it, your nearby library is full of hidden treasures. Besides books, you’ll find music and movies suitable for all ages. Even better, the library has many comfortable chairs (and very likely a kids’ reading section), so you and the youngsters can enjoy some quality reading time while you’re there.
For a change of pace, send the kids on a library-based scavenger hunt. In other words, they must find several books written on a given topic or destination. Each child receives points for every book they score. The child with the most points wins a highly desirable prize.
Embark on a Museum Visit. In downtown Murphy, NC, the Cherokee County Historical Museum can help kids connect to the area’s history while offering up a bounty of fascinating artifacts. In fact, the Museum features a 5,000-piece Native American artifact collection, with each item found in Cherokee County.
The Cherokee County Historical Museum is conveniently located at 89 Peachtree Street, near the courthouse and police station. When you arrive, take note of the bear and eagle figures near the entrance. Ask a museum docent about the animals’ role in Cherokee County history.
Put On Your Volunteer Hats. When kids (and adults) become consumed with holiday activities, needs of elderly or less-fortunate neighbors can fade into the background. To focus on what really matters, introduce children and teens to age-appropriate volunteer work. You’ll enjoy sharing the experience, and your kids might receive satisfaction from helping others.
In Cherokee County, numerous non-profit groups would appreciate your (and perhaps the kids’) help. As another option, offer to make meals (or run errands) for an elderly or under-the-weather neighbor. If you find a good fit, arrange a regular volunteer stint for you and the youngsters.
HIT THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Enjoy a Winter Nature Walk. If the weather cooperates, bundle up the kids and head out for a forest nature walk. Keep your young companions’ interest by giving them a purpose for their trek. For example, ask them to find different types of trees or bird calls. When you get home, research their finds via the Internet. Enjoy viewing the tree photos or listening to bird calls over hot chocolate.
Begin a Birdfeeding Hobby. With plants and seeds in winter hibernation, birds have a tough time finding food. So, provide them with some tasty snacks by making a batch of bird seed cookies. Find your recipes on the Internet, and ask the kids to help you hang the treats in your backyard. After watching your avian visitors flock to their winter feast, identify each species with a bird book or via Internet research.
The Poltrock Team – REMAX Mountain Properties – Murphy NC – ilovemurphy.com – Call us Toll Free at 1-866-Murphy-NC or 1-866-687-7496 – Murphy’s #1 Real Estate Team