Your kids are likely out of school on winter vacation, and you have two weeks to do what you will as a family before school starts again. For many families, this is the time to leave and see family or go somewhere warm to beat the winter weather. However, this year, many families are struggling with inflation and the increased costs of daily necessities like gas and groceries. So, if your budget is too tight this year to travel, don’t despair. Instead, utilize these 6 frugal Christmas break activities to have a fun vacation with your kids, even if you are staying home.
6 Frugal Christmas Break Activities
With a bit of creativity, you and the kids can have an enjoyable winter break without spending much money.
Movie Marathon
Who doesn’t love movies? Get the kids together to decide what films you’d like to watch. Then, snuggle in for a movie marathon. Make the day more festive with hot chocolate and popcorn.
If your kids are young, you may only want to watch one movie, but if they’re older, why not watch two or three?
Sledding
This winter has already produced an abundance of snow. If you have snow on the ground, head to the local neighborhood sledding area and have a few hours of fun sledding. Even though you’re the parent, you don’t have to miss out on the fun. Your kids will enjoy the experience more if you, too, head down the hill on a sled.
Local Museums
Many local libraries offer museum passes. You can check these out from the library and then go to a local museum for free. If you have access to these library passes, going to a museum can be a fun way to pass the day.
Snow Ice Cream
One of my favorite childhood activities was making snow ice cream. So, if you live in an area with snow, have the kids scoop some up and make this delicious, novel winter treat. They’ll beg you to make it every time it snows!
Volunteer
If your kids are ten or older, you can take them somewhere to volunteer as long as you volunteer with them. For example, my daughters and I are cat lovers, so we’ve been volunteering at our local no-kill cat shelter. Our tasks have ranged from cleaning the cat litter and changing the cats’ water to helping with office tasks. As a bonus, we hang out with the cats when we finish.
Giving back is a great thing to do during the holiday season and helps teach kids that the world is bigger than them and that others are in need.
Decorate a Gingerbread House
When my kids were little, we started the tradition of decorating gingerbread houses AFTER Christmas when I could snag some clearance kits for 50 percent or more off. Who says you have to decorate them before Christmas?
Final Thoughts
Traveling during winter break is fun, but sometimes that can’t happen yearly. If you need or want a simpler vacation this year, consider doing some of these frugal Christmas break activities. You and the kids will have fun, and you’ll save money.
Read More
What to Do When You’re Overspending at Christmas
Favorite Family Christmas Traditions Modernized
How to Pay for Vacations and Holidays without Debt
Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in Arizona where she dislikes the summer heat but loves the natural beauty of the area.
