Festive times of year are generally an exciting thing to look forward to for people of all ages. Kids get time off school, adults get time off work, and everyone gets a chance to visit with family and just have fun. But usually there is a lot of planning that takes place. One concern for adults is making sure young children stay happy and well behaved. Below are some easy and creative ways to make children friendly holidays for any age child. Young ones will love it, and if the kids are happy the adults are happy!
Let Them Be Involved
Children almost universally love to be able to help adults out. As adults, we often don't really want their version of help, but to a child feeling useful is something to be very proud of, and will make them very happy. We are usually very busy when holidays start coming up, as we cook and bake and wrap gifts and decorate, or whatever else we need to do. As you do this, try to allow the kids to help as much as possible in fun ways. A child may not be thrilled about asking to mop a floor before guests arrive, but he or she will be thrilled to help cut out shapes in cut out cookies, or be taught how to make a paper chain to hang up as part of your decorations. And just as exciting for them will be the opportunity to show off their work to everyone.
Organized Activities
Many people consider holidays a time to relax the rules and go wild. When children do this they may have a great time, but rest assured the adults will not. To help save your stress level and make sure the kids have just as much fun, come up with activities they can all enjoy. This is especially helpful if you are at a large family gathering with many children of similar ages. Traditional examples include an Easter egg hunt or Secret Santa, but you can create something for any holiday! Make a scavenger hunt with a holiday theme, or put some icing tubes out by some cookies and let them decorate them as they eat. (If they stay in the kitchen!)
Teaching Generosity
One thing adults love about holidays is they offer a great opportunity to teach the kids something valuable. Remind a child how wonderful their holiday has been, and show them how rewarding it can be to share that feeling with others. Often children will love to do this, as they will feel important and get to see someone else smile. This could be as simple as getting a gift of their choosing for a younger relative with their own allowance money, or making a home made card for an elderly grandparent. Other ideas might be to find a charity that would let you put together and decorate a box of goodies for a less fortunate child. Things like this are especially good if they allow your child to see who is receiving their gift.
Many things can be done to make children friendly holidays that adults can enjoy as well. Don't worry or stress out about everything having to be picture perfect. All you need to do is relax and have fun, and your kids will love it too.
Let Them Be Involved
Children almost universally love to be able to help adults out. As adults, we often don't really want their version of help, but to a child feeling useful is something to be very proud of, and will make them very happy. We are usually very busy when holidays start coming up, as we cook and bake and wrap gifts and decorate, or whatever else we need to do. As you do this, try to allow the kids to help as much as possible in fun ways. A child may not be thrilled about asking to mop a floor before guests arrive, but he or she will be thrilled to help cut out shapes in cut out cookies, or be taught how to make a paper chain to hang up as part of your decorations. And just as exciting for them will be the opportunity to show off their work to everyone.
Organized Activities
Many people consider holidays a time to relax the rules and go wild. When children do this they may have a great time, but rest assured the adults will not. To help save your stress level and make sure the kids have just as much fun, come up with activities they can all enjoy. This is especially helpful if you are at a large family gathering with many children of similar ages. Traditional examples include an Easter egg hunt or Secret Santa, but you can create something for any holiday! Make a scavenger hunt with a holiday theme, or put some icing tubes out by some cookies and let them decorate them as they eat. (If they stay in the kitchen!)
Teaching Generosity
One thing adults love about holidays is they offer a great opportunity to teach the kids something valuable. Remind a child how wonderful their holiday has been, and show them how rewarding it can be to share that feeling with others. Often children will love to do this, as they will feel important and get to see someone else smile. This could be as simple as getting a gift of their choosing for a younger relative with their own allowance money, or making a home made card for an elderly grandparent. Other ideas might be to find a charity that would let you put together and decorate a box of goodies for a less fortunate child. Things like this are especially good if they allow your child to see who is receiving their gift.
Many things can be done to make children friendly holidays that adults can enjoy as well. Don't worry or stress out about everything having to be picture perfect. All you need to do is relax and have fun, and your kids will love it too.
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