“There are so many inexpensive activities that promote togetherness and creativity,” said Ivey Ivy, youth development specialist at the Center for Creative Learning.  “The time you spend with your child can be as meaningful as any gift you give.”

The list of activities is as infinite as your—or your child’s—imagination said Ivy and April Barlow, professional learning coordinator for the center.  Many cost nothing, while for others the cost is minimal or uses readily available household products.

Some ideas for keeping out-of-school youngsters engaged:

Pre-Christmas

--Use the NORAD Santa tracker website [www.noradsanta.org/en] to help follow Santa on his worldwide travels. Learn a little about geography at the same time.

--Volunteer as a family to help others in the community and teach the benefits of giving.  Opportunities are available through organizations such as Adopt-a-Family and The Salvation Army.

--Create a “gratitude tree.”  Choose a branch from the yard and let children paint it silver or white.  Each evening, ask everyone to write on a notecard something for which to be grateful.  Decorate the tree with the cards.

--At dinner each night, pick a Christmas theme and ask everyone to contribute, answering questions such as “what is your favorite ornament?” “What is your favorite Christmas memory?” 
“What’s the best gift you’ve ever given someone?”

--Make “magic reindeer food” using rolled oats, sugar crystals and food coloring. Let children sprinkle it on the lawn to lead the reindeer to their house.

--Cook together. Instead of a salad bar, let kids create a “hot chocolate bar.” Let them select their favorite toppings—marshmallows, peppermint bark or sticks, whipped cream, chocolate or caramel syrup, or other toppings. Then watch a movie together.

Post-Christmas

--Let children tell a story while you record it with your camera or cellphone.  They love seeing themselves on camera.

--Play silly dress-up with old clothes and jewelry; take a photo.

--Make bird feeders with pine cones, peanut butter and birdseed.  Let children place them around the yard and watch for and try to describe birds who feed.

--Go for a walk and let children discover found objects along the way.  Call it a “treasure” hunt.

--Make homemade sidewalk chalk using cornstarch, water, and food coloring.

--Place a drawer full of kitchen utensils on a table and ask children to find the ones that match.

--Build an “elf house” with a shoebox.

--Build a “garden” with rocks children find.

--Use leftover Christmas boxes to build a fort.

“The holiday break can be a great family time, as well as a learning opportunity for children,” Barlow said.  “Encourage their creativity.”

More suggestions can be found at http://www.sproutonline.com/.