Fun and Cheap Ideas to Entertain Your Kids on Holiday Breaks

I'll admit it....I love holiday breaks with the kids but sometimes they REALLY get on my nerves a lot. Like a lot a lot. They are always hungry....even after you just fed them... and they always are bored and they always want to play on some tech gadget. So sometimes...you just gotta take the bull by the horns and lay down the law and tell the little turkeys how it's gonna be.

I mean really say...I have no time for your whining...this is how it's going to be and pray it works.

The Mr. and I laid down the law a few years ago when all of the relatives and kids wanted to hang with us during the holidays. We were over the non-stop eating and arguing over the television shows and there were little people everywhere making demands.      

 We were like....glad you are here but NO...this is our show. You don't run our circus and we came up with the following ideas that really work. The munchkins learned something and had fun and for the most part the whining and complaining stopped. Amen.

First we learned to kick the munchkins outside...even if it was cold. They bundled up and had to use their imaginations. The kids created separate little play areas, that for years now, they continue to play at when they come down and it entertains our son all year. Got an old tire? Let them bury it and stand on it. It's good for hours of entertainment. It's free and bonus...they are tired and will fall asleep early. 

Second, find a project and assemble it with them. It doesn't have to be BIG or expensive just something to work on together. This past Fall break we bought another set of bunkbeds....they kids keep getting bigger and the pallet parties in the living room aren't as much fun as sleeping in your own cozy comfy bed. 

Third, Let them have their own photoshoots and take pictures of each other. We went all over the farm and they had fun posing and taking shots of each other.

Fourth, get in touch with nature. Climbing a tree or going to the park are both free. They keep climbing higher so I make sure to stand by with my camera. It's good for hours of fun.

Fifth, pull out the balls....soccer, basketball, football...you name it. Let everyone get in on the fun.

Sixth, play dress up. I've never met a kid under 16 who doesn't like to try on different clothes, costumes or props that we have laying around the house. Here they used Bugles and made Halloween costumes. What? Food works too and they get to eat it.

Seventh, go to a local game together. It never is too early to teach kids the value of sportsmanship and just spend one on one time together. They will always remember the time you spent with them and they really value it.

We also are fortunate to live on a farm so we have bonfires, make smores, sing songs and much more.

It doesn't really matter if you live in the city or the country an apartment or a home. All of these can be adapted to entertain your little friends and family affordably.

So tell me what other things you do that don't cost a fortune to entertain your crew during school breaks?

I'd love to hear.

Happy Fall,

Valerie