2020 is almost coming to an end. This year was super new to everyone due to COVID-19 and its’ unpredictability. Everyone’s cooperation to bring a safe environment for children, educators, and families has been a blast and incredibly supportive. Space was filled with laughter, fun, and interactions even in this new norm. The children and educators engaged in various activities and explorations this year. For this last month of 2020, educators and children in Parkland Players are doing these winter break activities.

Our top 10 winter break activities for kids:

1. Reused Tube Menorah Activity

The children and educators had a lot of fun last year making these lamps out of recycles to celebrate the festival of lights. All you need are some toilet paper rolls, coloring materials, and tissue paper! We always read books about the festival of lights before making them.
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE2NDI=

2. Building Igloos

Children enjoy this delicious and fun activity so much! They can build their imaginary igloos with toothpicks and marshmallows. We love reading a book about igloos and winter shelters for animals so children can extend their stories. It is also a great activity to practice creative thinking skills and building.
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE2NDY=

3. Painting on Ice

This is a great activity when it’s too chilly outside to play. Children can use any tools such as brushes, their hands, and even feet, sponges, etc. It is super cool to use a variety of colors, yet depending on the exploration, we sometimes give a single color. Expect some crazy splashes in the end!
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE2NDg=

4. Painting snow

Grab a bucket of snow or bring the watercolors outside! Children and educators enjoyed so much painting the snow with their hands, brushes, and spray bottles. We added animal toys and cups to do storytelling.
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE2NTY=

5. Penguin Writing

Scoop a cup of sugar or a bucket of snow. This activity is great practice for children’s writing and fine motor skills as well as letter identification. Have a fun story and slide the penguin toy across the sugar field or snowfield to write the alphabet. After all the penguins are done, we have fun giving a little warm bubble bath to the toy penguins.
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE2NTk=

6. Fingerprints Christmas Lights Art

The result of this exploration is always turning to be a beautiful art piece. We use it on our prevocational table, and it brings so much warmth and holiday vibes. It is also great for all ages.
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE2NzI=

7. Giant Gingerbread Man

The out of school care program’s children enjoy making the giant gingerbread man. We are planning to have groups making different kinds and creative gingerbread men this year. We are overly excited about this!
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE3NDY=

8. Painting Fireworks with Toilet Paper Rolls

It catches everyone’s attention and children always line up to have their print on the paper. It turns out so cool. It can be different cutting shapes on the toilet paper rolls and we can expect to see some blast colors and shapes of fireworks on the paper!
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE2ODM=

9. Winter Ice Fishing

This is our Daycare Program children’s favorite game. We add recycled plastic bottles to teach them about importance of recycling and putting garbage in the garbage bins. We also read books on fishes to extend children’s ideas and stories.
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE2ODc=

10. Story Stones

This is an activity originated from a traditional Aboriginal people of Australia. Story stones are painted stones kept in a small pouch and used as a tool to tell stories. We love different tools and ideas to tell stories to each other. It supports children’s imagination and creativity!
Source: https://bitaa.com/activity/MzkxMzQ3MnI1OW45dDczOHgyOTE5MzM=

There is so much more to explore this month and we are going with the flow of the monthly theme and children’s exploration journey. The activities can support children and educators to land on an idea to further explore and research. More activities are found in https://bitaa.com/