What to Do When They're Off from School

By Janet V. Hughes

The winter holiday break can be a wonderful time for parents and children to celebrate the season's traditions, but if you're like most American families, your child will spend many of these valuable vacation hours watching television. Here are some alternative activities to keep children occupied and merry during the upcoming holiday break:

• Visit your local library.
• Recycle your holiday cards-Children can cut out the pictures and save them as next year's gift tags.
• Encourage your child to write thank-you notes
• Suggest that your child write daily journal entries.
• Have your child gather his or her unused toys to donate to charity.

These books have more alternative activities and information:

• More Mudpies—101 Alternatives to Television and Go Outside by Nancy Blakey
• Fun with Family Photos—Crafts, Keepsakes, Gifts by Jennifer Barry and Leslie Barry
• 501 Fun-to-Make Family Crafts by Carol Field Dahlstrom

Other ideas can be found at Parenthood.com.

From The PTA Parent, Volume 1 Number 12 Tuesday, December 20, 2005