What to Do with Kids During the Holidays: Fun and Educational Activities

The holidays are a great opportunity to spend quality time with your kids and engage them in activities that are both fun and educational. Whether you’re staying at home or looking for outdoor adventures, there are plenty of ways to keep your children entertained while nurturing their creativity and curiosity. From science experiments to nature walks, DIY crafts to local attractions, here’s a guide to exciting things to do with your kids during the holidays.

1. Explore Nature with Outdoor Adventures

One of the best ways to make the most of the holidays is to spend time outdoors, exploring nature with your kids. Singapore offers a wealth of family-friendly parks and nature reserves where children can connect with the environment and learn about biodiversity.

Ideas for Outdoor Adventures:

• Visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens: Take a nature walk through the gardens, explore the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, and learn about plants, wildlife, and ecology.
  
  Learn More About Singapore Botanic Gardens
  
  
• MacRitchie Reservoir Park: Go on a hike through the nature trails, and if your kids are up for an adventure, try the TreeTop Walk for a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest.
  
  Learn More About MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Why It’s Great:
Outdoor adventures not only help children stay active but also teach them about nature, ecology, and environmental stewardship. It's a perfect way to balance learning and play while appreciating Singapore’s natural beauty.

2. Engage in DIY Science Projects

Turn your home into a mini science lab with fun and easy science projects that kids can do with everyday materials. These hands-on experiments will keep children engaged and curious, and the best part is that they’ll be learning without even realizing it!

Ideas for DIY Science Projects:

• DIY Volcano: Use baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring to create an erupting volcano at home.
  
  Explore DIY Volcano Instructions
  
  
• Invisible Ink with Lemon Juice: Teach kids the science behind acids and bases by creating secret messages with invisible ink.
  
  Learn How to Make Invisible Ink

Why It’s Great:
DIY science experiments are a great way to keep kids entertained while fostering a love for science. They’ll learn key concepts in chemistry, physics, and biology—all through fun, hands-on activities.

3. Plan a Family Movie Marathon with a Twist

Movie marathons are a classic holiday activity, but you can add an educational twist by choosing films that inspire creativity and curiosity. After watching, engage in discussions or activities related to the film’s themes.

Ideas for Educational Movies:

• "WALL-E" (Pixar): Discuss environmental conservation and the importance of caring for the planet after watching this futuristic tale about a robot who cleans up Earth.
  
  Watch WALL-E on Disney+
  
  
• "Hidden Figures": Teach kids about space exploration, STEM, and the inspiring real-life story of female African-American mathematicians who helped NASA.
  
  Watch Hidden Figures

Why It’s Great:
By combining entertainment with education, you can make screen time more meaningful. Movies can spark great conversations about history, science, and social responsibility.

4. Try Hands-On Crafts and DIY Art Projects

Holiday downtime is the perfect opportunity to get creative with DIY crafts and art projects. Whether it's making holiday decorations, designing personalized gifts, or creating works of art, kids will love expressing themselves through creative projects.

Ideas for Art and Craft Projects:

• DIY Tie-Dye Shirts: Use tie-dye kits to create colorful, unique shirts that kids can wear or gift.
  
  Buy a Tie-Dye Kit
  
  
• DIY Holiday Ornaments: Make your own holiday decorations using clay, paint, and other craft materials.
  
  Explore Craft Ideas for Kids

Why It’s Great:
Craft projects encourage creativity, fine motor skills, and imagination. Plus, kids feel a sense of accomplishment when they see their creations come to life.

5. Visit Educational Local Attractions

Singapore is home to many family-friendly attractions that combine education with fun. Take advantage of local museums, science centers, and cultural sites that offer interactive exhibits designed to engage young minds.

Must-Visit Educational Attractions:

• Science Centre Singapore: Explore the wonders of science through interactive exhibits on physics, biology, and space exploration.
  
  Plan Your Visit to Science Centre Singapore
  
  
• ArtScience Museum: Combine art, technology, and science with the museum’s immersive exhibits and workshops for kids.
  
  Visit ArtScience Museum

Why It’s Great:
Visiting local attractions offers a change of scenery while providing kids with unique learning experiences outside the classroom. They’ll come away with new knowledge and perspectives in science, art, and culture.

6. Bake and Cook Together

Baking and cooking are not only fun but also an excellent way to teach children important skills in math, science, and following instructions. Plus, you get to enjoy delicious treats at the end!

Ideas for Holiday Baking:

• Bake Holiday Cookies: Teach kids basic math and measurements while baking festive cookies. Let them get creative with decorating!
  
  Find Holiday Cookie Recipes
  
• Homemade Pizza: Let your kids create their own personalized pizzas while learning about ingredients and kitchen safety.
  
  Explore Pizza Recipes for Kids

Why It’s Great:
Cooking together strengthens family bonds and teaches essential life skills. Kids also get to practice math, chemistry, and creativity while preparing their own meals.

7. Plan a Family Game Night

Nothing brings a family together like a fun game night. Choose educational board games that challenge kids to think critically and develop strategic thinking skills, all while having a blast.

Recommended Educational Games:

• Catan Junior: A kid-friendly version of the popular strategy game Catan, where players build settlements and collect resources.
  
  Buy Catan Junior
  
  
• BrainBox: The World: This memory-based game helps kids learn about different countries and cultures.
  
  Buy BrainBox: The World

Why It’s Great:
Family game night is a fun way to foster critical thinking, teamwork, and friendly competition. It also provides a screen-free activity the whole family can enjoy together.

Conclusion

The holidays offer a wonderful chance to spend quality time with your kids while engaging them in fun, educational activities. From exploring nature and trying hands-on science projects to visiting local attractions and baking together, there are plenty of ways to keep children entertained while nurturing their curiosity and creativity. Use this time to create lasting memories and inspire a lifelong love of learning in your children.