Holiday Learning Tips for the Whole Family
The holiday season is a time to unwind, spend quality time with loved ones, and take a break from the usual hustle and bustle. Like many families, you’re probably looking forward to relaxed mornings, no homework stress, and a bit more downtime. But before you dive into your holiday to-do list—decorating the tree, baking festive treats, and planning your travels—don’t forget about one crucial item: learning.
While it’s important to let kids recharge over the holidays, maintaining a little academic momentum can help them stay on track and make the transition back to school in the New Year easier Holiday learning doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be fun, engaging, and festive, too! Here are a few simple ways to weave learning into your family’s holiday routine.
Holiday Learning: Fun Activities to Do Every Day
Learning doesn’t have to be confined to the classroom. Whether it’s playing games, reading, or writing, there are plenty of ways to keep kids engaged and practicing essential skills throughout the holiday break. Encourage your child to do at least one learning activity every day to keep their brain active and prevent the dreaded “back-to-school slide.” This term refers to the learning loss that often happens over extended breaks, especially in subjects like reading and math.
Set small learning goals to keep things manageable. For example, aim for 15 minutes of reading or 20 minutes of fun educational games each day. Keeping the routine consistent but flexible will help your child stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.
Reading is a great way to continue learning over the break.
Bedtime stories or reading together as a family helps improve attention span, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Plus, it’s a cozy activity to do before winding down for the night! To make reading even more engaging, consider discussing the themes or characters in the book to boost comprehension.
Here are some fun and festive book recommendations to get your kids in the holiday spirit.
Ages 6-8:
- The Santa Trap – a funny and adventurous story about a boy who tries to catch Santa in the act.
- The Polar Express – a magical journey that helps children believe in the spirit of Christmas.
- The Lump of Coal – a heartwarming story about a lump of coal who wants to be something more.
Ages 9-12:
- Christmastime in New York City – explore the magic of Christmas in one of the world’s most iconic cities.
- Memoirs of an Elf – follow the story of an elf’s adventures as he learns what makes Christmas special.
- The Shortest Day: Celebrating The Winter Solstice – a beautifully illustrated book about the winter solstice and the science behind it.
Holiday Learning Fun: Making Learning Enjoyable
Learning doesn’t have to come from a workbook or homework assignment. There are plenty of easy and enjoyable activities that naturally promote learning.
Crafting is a wonderful way to encourage attention to detail and following instructions. Get creative with holiday crafts like making decorations, creating cards, or building gingerbread houses! These hands-on activities boost fine motor skills and encourage creativity. For added learning, you can incorporate math by counting materials or measuring ingredients for a project.
Baking together is also a fun way to practice math! Measuring ingredients, reading recipes, and following step-by-step directions can help reinforce concepts like fractions, addition, and sequencing. Turn your kitchen into a classroom and let your child calculate ingredient portions for a larger batch of cookies!
Set a timer or create a holiday-themed countdown to make these learning activities part of your daily routine. This will make it easier for your child to anticipate and look forward to them.
High School Holidays: Keeping Up with Schoolwork
For high school students, it’s important to stay engaged with schoolwork during the break to avoid falling behind. Although they’re looking forward to a break from the routine, doing a bit of studying each day helps them stay sharp and ready for the new term ahead.
Encourage your teen to:
- Review their notes from the previous semester. Re-reading and summarizing key concepts can improve retention and help them stay ahead.
- Create study notes or flashcards to make exam prep less overwhelming. These tools can help break down large amounts of information into manageable chunks.
- Highlight important concepts or practice problems in subjects they find challenging to stay on top of their schoolwork.
By setting aside just 20-30 minutes a day for review, your teen can return to school feeling confident and prepared for upcoming exams.
Holiday Learning Fun for the Whole Family
Holiday breaks are meant for family fun, too! It’s important to balance learning with relaxation and physical activity. Take a break from screens and get outside to enjoy some winter fun. Whether it’s ice skating, tobogganing, or building a snowman, outdoor activities help keep everyone active, engaged, and energized.
Include learning in family activities by making a game of it. For example, go on a winter scavenger hunt that incorporates math or spelling challenges. These activities promote teamwork while reinforcing educational concepts.
Extra Learning Boosts
Looking for a fun gift idea to encourage learning over the holidays? Consider including learning games like crossword puzzles, sudoku, or trivia books as stocking stuffers. These games are a great way for kids (and adults!) to stay sharp while enjoying some screen-free fun.
You can also incorporate educational apps or websites into your child’s routine. For example, try using apps for math practice, reading comprehension, or even virtual museum tours. These tools provide interactive learning in a way that feels like play.
Setting Realistic Learning Expectations
It’s important to remember that the holidays are for relaxation, too. Set realistic learning goals and keep them manageable. Limit learning activities to 20-30 minutes a day to avoid burnout. By integrating short, engaging learning sessions into your routine, your child can stay academically engaged without feeling overwhelmed.
Happy Holidays!
Remember, the holiday season is all about balance—between rest, fun, and a little bit of learning. By making small adjustments to your daily routine, you can ensure that your kids stay academically engaged and return to school ready to thrive in the New Year.
Wishing you and your family a joyful, festive, and educational holiday season!
This post was originally published in 2014. Updated for 2024.
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