Holiday Craft Ideas + Winter Break Survival Tips for Parents

Five ways to keep your kids occupied over the holiday break

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Winter break has officially arrived and that means on top of the wrapping, the shopping, the cooking and the decorating, moms everywhere are trying to keep our kids from saying “I’m bored” on repeat as they’re home for the next 2-3 weeks. Am I right??

The winter break boredom struggle for kids and parents is real…but never fear! We’ve compiled a few quick and easy holiday craft ideas thanks to our incredible hosts at junecare.co that are sure to keep your kids entertained, in the holiday spirit and off their tablets! Win-win!

1. Sugar Cookie Play-doh

From junecare.co Host Jessica Mayberry

Looking to keep those little hands occupied? June Care host Jessica Mayberry tried this delicious craft idea out on a recent playdate with two toddler boys and as you can see from their faces, it was a hit! Since this recipe doesn’t use boiling water, kids of all ages can help mix it! Let the kids measure and add all ingredients and start mixing until their arms get tired, and once it gets tough to stir, parents can help.  

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup water

• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar

• 1/3 cup salt

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• Generous sprinkle of cinnamon

• Generous sprinkle of vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Mix together all the ingredients in a large saucepan

2. Cook over low/medium heat, stirring.

3. Continue stirring until the mixture is thickened and begins to gather around the spoon.

4. Remove the dough onto wax paper or a plate to cool

5. Add more cinnamon and vanilla to your desired scent

6. Option: you can also use toilet paper rollers with hot glued designs on them for some snowflake print fun.

2. Holiday Popsicle Stick Ornaments

From junecare.co Host Cynthia Bourrier

Looking for a fun afternoon art project to make with the kids on winter break? You can make endless crafts and ornaments out of popsicle sticks. For this one, junecare.co host Cynthia likes to let the kids’ imaginations run free and see what they create.

Supplies:

• Popsicle sticks in assorted colors

• Googly eyes

• Pom poms

• Glue

• Optional - glitter, sequins, beads

Directions:

1. Kids can apply glue and attach popsicle sticks in the formations included in photo above - a tree, star, snowflake, present or reindeer.

2. As glue dries, add decorative elements such as pom poms, sequins, glitter and eyes.

3. Affix a ribbon or hook to the top to create a hanging ornament.

3. Pinecone Christmas Tree Craft for Kids

From junecare.co Host Cynthia Bourrier

Supplies:

• Green or white acrylic paint

• Pinecones

• Coaster

• Glue

• Embellishments (sequins, buttons, etc)

• Fake snow (or cotton balls)

Directions:

1. Paint the pinecones green, or the tips of the pinecone white for a snow capped tree look. Let dry.

2. Glue the bottoms of the pinecones to a small coaster or piece of cardboard.

3. Stretch cotton balls and glue to the cardboard or coaster to add snow.

4. Decorate your trees using sequins, pom poms, beads or candies.

4. Homemade Holiday Cards

From junecare.co Host Taylor Mitchell

Looking for a last minute gift idea? This homemade gift is sure to delight parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. This one can get a little messy so the best bet is to do this outdoors and have some wet rags nearby to clean off little feet afterwards. 

Directions: 

1. Get a blank canvas or piece of paper

2. Paint one foot green and stamp foot to canvas

3. Decorate your upside down foot tree with paint, glitter, pom poms or stickers

4. Add a personalized message and voila! You have the perfect personalized gift.

5. Book Holiday Break Play Dates

And when you need a helping hand, our June Care hosts are available for last minute help at the holidays, or anytime of the year!  We connect parents who need childcare with qualified host parents who can care for their kids right in the same neighborhood.  

Just call us Santa’s little helper, sent to help you sleigh this holiday season. You can sign up to either host paid play dates and earn money while parenting, or you can sign up to request child care. It is FREE and only takes a few minutes to sign up at junecare.co.