Let's face it, Christmas break is a bittersweet thing. The kids are excited to have a break from school and it's always nice to have the family together. However, amidst the fun parties, chores, meals, and present wrapping there are always the inevitable "I'm bored" moments. Here are few Christmas break reading games and activities to help boost the holiday spirit! You can print the PDFs for each one at the bottom of this post.
Christmas Reading Bingo
This is a great activity that can be used throughout the entire break. The best part is, it is simple enough for it to be done with the whole family or it can be done individually. Creating a reward at the end to increase incentive and motivation. It could be something simple such as a treat, opening one gift early, a family game, or whatever it is that gets your children excited!
Christmas Riddles
Christmas Riddle games are fabulous! They are versatile and easy to expound upon. Use the ones provided and/or create your own using family favorite Christmas books. Riddles can be a quiet activity or a physically exhilarating game. The former is self explanatory, however, the latter will result in fun and lots giggles! For example: take turns reading & answering the riddles. For each right answer make a snowball (or two) with either tissue paper, scrap paper, newspaper, or whatever you have on hand. At the end, you get to have a snowball fight! Make blanket-forts to fire the snowballs from, hide behind furniture, do it hide-n-seek style, take it outside and make real snowballs...get creative!
Christmas Word Search
An oldie but a goodie (and one of my personal fave's) is doing a word search! There is just something satisfying in crossing off each word as you find it in the jumble of letters. As a plus, it creates focus, a sense of accomplishment and possibly a moment quiet. Kids are a joy and bring enthusiasm to every holiday, but there is no shame in reveling in moment of silence every once in a while.
Christmas Mad Libs Story
Kids LOVE silly stories! Mad Libs are a fantastic way to let them participate in bringing the story to life. For those unfamiliar with Mad Libs, you fill in the blanks BEFORE reading the story. Without any context, ask your children to provide one word for each labeled blank. Once every blank is filled...it's story time!
Custom Christmas Book Cover
For a little change of pace, have your littles design a book cover for their favorite Christmas story or book. On the back have them write a letter to their favorite character. Here are a few ideas to prompt their writing:
Express why the character is their favorite.
Share a story on how they felt similar to how the character felt.
Compare the characters world to their own.
Discuss what they would have done in the characters situation.
Offer ideas for future adventures.
Tell the character what the favorite part of their story was.
Describe how they felt while reading the story.
Schedule a time to have them share their letters with the family.
No matter what you decide to do this Christmas break your children will always cherish the time you spend together.
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