As an active child myself, I remember feeling excitement about a family holiday with lots of new and old faces, but I also remember the excruciating boredom of being at my grandmother’s house with lots of adults and no toys. If you are worried about the potential for trouble caused by your own children’s lack of something to do, then here is a list of things you might want to consider before the big day.
- Parade – The Macy’s parade would only ever interest me if I could see it in person. If you have your own little active child, maybe you should consider your own family parade complete with balloons, instruments, masks, and singing.
- The Table – Gather some craft supplies (age-appropriate) and let your children create the placemats, place holders, and even the centerpiece for the holiday table. There’s nothing like a good project to keep little ones busy.
- Warm Accessories – The outdoors is always an option even in cold weather locations. Be sure to include heavy coats, mittens, hats, and scarves on your list of things to bring. Don’t forget to bring a ball of some sort. A game of family football after the game on TV is a fun way to burn off energy (and turkey).
- Movies – Check out a new movie from the library or your local video store for some quiet time (for everyone). Of course, the movie theater is also a great place to visit on a day when everything else is closed.
- Games – Uno, playing cards, and compact board games are a great way to promote interaction between the young and old and to divert hungry little ones from wondering when dinner will be ready.
What does your family like to do on Thanksgiving day beside eat?
