The holidays are a fantastic time to spend with friends and family, and what better way to make lasting memories than by doing something fun together? Look no further if you’re looking for creative holiday activity ideas that dad can do with the kids this season. Here are some great activities that will surely bring smiles all around.
Go On a Picnic in the Park
Nothing says family bonding like a picnic in the park! Pack some sandwiches, snacks, and drinks into a basket or cooler and head to your local park. Enjoy the outdoors while having lunch with your family. You can bring some frisbees or balls to play with once you finish eating. If you want to know which parks are near you and their holiday schedules, websites like Park Finder make it easier to plan ahead.
Make sure to bring along some sunscreen and insect repellent if the sun’s out!
Visit Your Local Museum or Aquarium
Most museums and aquariums offer discounted entry fees for families, which makes them an affordable activity for families on a budget. Stroll through different exhibitions, explore the interactive displays, or watch one of their educational shows. This is perfect when you want something indoors but still want to have fun as a family. And since most of the information like museum locations, schedules, dos and don’ts, and other details are available online from different museum resources, you won’t have a hard time deciding which way to go and what to do once you’re there. Although as much as 60% require admission fees, they try to keep these costs at a minimum. Meanwhile, the rest offer free admittance.
Indulge in Winter Holiday Activities
There are plenty of ways for dads to spend quality time with their kids, even during winter.
Christmas Lights Tour
An apt activity during this winter holiday, and one of the more practical ones. Drive around town and look at all the beautiful Christmas lights. This inexpensive activity will fill you with holiday cheer as you admire the festive decorations people have put up in their homes. Stroll down familiar places like the park or the mall, so they see and experience the city as a different place at night.
Indoor Game Nights
Indoor activities can be just as fun as those outdoors, especially when you have kids who aren’t fond of cold weather or snow. Put on a family game night with board games such as Guess Who? or Jenga, complete puzzles together, build a fort out of blankets in the living room, and even bake some treats together (it’s always more enjoyable when you get to eat the result!). Don’t forget about arts and crafts either; there’s an endless number of projects you can do indoors.
Gingerbread House Decorating
Gingerbread house decorating is a classic holiday activity for dads and their kids. It’s easy to find pre-made gingerbread house kits at most stores, or you can make one from scratch if you’re feeling adventurous! There are kits available online* for as low as $10.
Either way, it gives everyone in the family a chance to get creative and show off their decorations skills. Just don’t forget the candy!
Enjoy The Snow
Another practical activity to enjoy outdoors, this activity is perfect for dads because they can join in on the fun while helping their children create something unique. Build a snowman, do forts or snow castles, snowball fights, the activities are endless. You can bring tools and toys to enjoy snow-related activities, like ski shooters, snow tubes, and even a snowball maker.
And if there isn’t any snow, you can always get creative with other materials like papier mâché or clay to make small sculptures resembling snowmen. The possibilities are endless.
Participate in school activities
For those with toddlers, schools have winter activities where dads can also experience bonding with their kids, be it a winter recital, talent show, or even a Christmas drama. Studies have shown that having both the father and mother actively involved in pre-school studies and academics improve children’s performance and increase their capacity for understanding complex topics. Furthermore, participating together helps fathers feel more connected with their kids, promotes healthy family dynamics, and encourages further learning pursuits outside of school.
Go Geocaching
Geocaching is perfect if you’re looking for a fun and outdoor educational activity! It’s a treasure hunt using GPS coordinates—all you need is your phone or GPS device and you’re ready to go! Plus, it encourages kids to explore nature while teaching them about technology and navigation. Plus, they get to take home any treasures they find along the way! Even the authorities encourage exploring the outdoors, as they maintain a website for outdoor recreational locations.
With these three activities in mind, there’s no reason not to make the most of your time with dad and the kids during this holiday season. Not only will these activities help create lasting memories together, but they are also great opportunities for learning new things. So round up everyone in the house—it’s time for some quality family bonding!
