Need some ideas on how to keep the kids busy during their winter/Holiday Break? Here a few that are sure to leave a smile on their (and your) faces!
Go to the movies.
Head to the movies and enjoy a new release! There are typically some great family friendly movies that are put out right around the holidays that you're sure to enjoy. Get tickets for shows earlier in the day to get a better discount. Order online to pick your seats in advance at several theaters here in the Springs.
View some holiday lights.
Get out those 3-D glasses if you have some and head out on a Christmas lights adventure. I found 3-D light viewing glasses at Hobby Lobby in their Christmas decorations section. Our kids received them as one of their advent gifts. No worries, holiday lights are just as fun without them. We like to hop in the car with the sun goes down, look up the Timberline Landscaping map for holiday lights and get going around town for spectacular viewing. My kids almost always prefer the city lights over the Christmas lights! I put together an interactive guide map for all the holiday lights in the COS area... it is inside this article... https://coloradosprings.macaronikid.com/articles/63a0dd761b69280a9bff36d3/20-christmas-week-events
Bake some cookies.
Break out of the box with your cookie recipes and try something new! There are spins on traditional recipes and tons of cookie recipes you may have never tried to bake yourself. Another option, just go to a cookie exchange and eat the cookies all winter break to fill your time. My kids enjoy pouring and mixing the ingredients but usually fall short on the whole baking process. Letting them help in the kitchen can be fun and very entertaining as I usually end up with more sprinkles on my feet than on my cookies.
Spend some quality time at the zoo.
Cheyenne Mountain Mountain Zoo currently has their Electric Safari in full swing! An amazing lights display throughout the zoo and after typical zoo hours. It's going on nightly through the 23rd and then the 25th through the 1st of January from 5:30-8:30. Also, to get rid of those long days at home, you could head out to give the animals love vibes during this holiday season by visiting them during these cooler days. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo also offers Zoo Break Camps just for your kids. Sign them up now! http://www.cmzoo.org/index.php/explore-learn/kids-teens/school-break-camps/
Get out and enjoy the fresh air.
There is plenty to do outdoors. There is no excuse for boredom! We live in Colorado! Get out, soak in the rays of sun and let your spirit soar outdoors. Sometimes my family grumbles about going outside but then we end up having the best time. There are many parks, trails and touristy spots here in the Springs to venture out to.
Love on some shelter pets.
Awe... when we fell the need to fill in some down time, our family likes to go snuggle on the kitties at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. It makes for a purr-fect day! Did you know that the shelter adopted out every single dog that came through their doors during the last Christmas season? That's quite an accomplishment! If you're family loves animals but can't take one in or doesn't know how to care for one, sign your child up for Camp Whiskers & Wags so they can learn all of the tricks to caring for a new furry friend. Sign them up now as spaces sometimes fill up! https://www.hsppr.org/springs/camp-whiskers-wags-2017-winter-edition
Get on those fancy shoes.
I'll be throwing spares and strikes! (Wishful thinking.) Head out to one of several bowling allies in the Springs and surrounding areas. You can do a little Fish Bowling at Bass Pro Shops, head to the Summit Interquest, do some harmonizing with the pins at Harmony Bowl amongst others. Bowling is a fun and typically fast paced game where you can grab a few snacks and enjoy your time with family or friends around the holidays.
Craft with your kids.
And my last and final suggestion is... to pull out the craft supplies or buy some that are new and different. Get those imaginations going by searching ideas on Pinterest or other great sites. There are endless possibilities and if your kids are like mine, they really enjoy when mom sits down with them and does a little painting or crafting. Need some inspiration? Check out these Macaroni Kid articles....
https://coloradosprings.macaronikid.com/guides/62f114648a1691082cc2d05d/feeling-crafty?
