Winter break play ideas
Or choose to do NOTHING!
Thought I’d do a little check-in to ground us at a time when all the holiday, family, and end-of-year activities are swirling — not to mention all those things that knock us off our family routine during this season. Everything from what we eat to where we sleep can change with trips or house guests or celebrations!
When things get to be too much, remember to go back to the basics. Take in a sunset (this one is from the top deck of a parking structure!), go on a walk, cook a meal together, or snuggle up for some downtime when your schedule allows! Kids need that downtime as much as you do.
I guarantee you’ve already done ENOUGH of everything leading up to the winter solstice. Nature rests at this time of year — and so can you.
Next newsletter comes on Friday, December 27th! I’ll be thinking of you over this next week and hoping you get a rest.
Sending you all those “it’s okay to slow down” vibes,
Michele
As a friendly reminder, make sure you ALWAYS check official sources when you are heading out to any of the locations I share. These are merely suggestions. Only you know what works for your family. Plus, your experience may not be the same as mine — and there can be changes to the hours or unforeseen circumstances or conditions at the suggested locations.
Winter break play ideas
Hope this list sparks some ideas!
This list is really WAY more than 15+ options because many of them hold lists of their own with 5, 7, and 17 options. So, really, there are endless options and combinations!
PLAY: Further unscheduling
This is the section of the newsletter where we talk about PLAY or connecting to nature each week. I might share a video, an article, a book, or something inspiring. Just trying to help keep you empowered to prioritize play to benefit development and preserve childhood!
When school is on break the schedule is not as tight, you can further unschedule yourself by not setting a time limit on things and allowing for some spontaneity.
Do Nothing
Guess what? You can give yourself permission to play. You can give yourself permission to let your kids be BORED! (Don’t worry they will come up with something on their own!) You can give yourself permission to let things go temporarily. The laundry, dishes, baking can all wait; time with family and friends cannot.
Places to do nothing:
On your patio or in your own backyard
Aimless walks around your neighborhood (see what you can see)
At the park
Explore Winter
Winter in Southern California is still winter. Have your kids take “imaginary memory pictures” of winter, so they can compare it to when you take the same outings in spring. Go to the beach and note the differences. What do the trees look like at the park?
Places to explore winter:
Grab Bag
What are you in the mood to do? Find things that bring YOU joy and maybe it will spark some play interest with the kids?
Finding new books or checking out something from “The Library of Things” at a library you’ve never visited before!
Watching OK Go music videos (you know they are great models of creative PLAY!) My favorites are: Upside Down & Inside Out and This Too Shall Pass
Try something from my list of 101 Outdoor Places to Visit with Kids
Go on a winter picnic by packing soup in a thermos! Here are some picnic spots you might like!
Tiny Hike Teaser: Mini Trail Guide #53 brings a short walk to the redwoods to kick off winter! Plus, there are plenty of impressive playgrounds nearby this one.
OC Tiny Hikes subscriptions are changing for 2025!
I put a fun explainer at the start of Trail Guide #51, if you want to know all about the new downloadable, printable seasonal guidebooks coming to ANNUAL subscribers in 2025! Read ALL about it over on Substack!
Sneak peek! Coming to annual subscribers in 2025 . . .
I’m here if you have any questions, too!
In fact, this whole website can be described in 4 letters!! LOVE!! Thank you!