5 Ideas for Families to do During the Holidays

5 Ideas for Families to do During the Holidays

The Holidays can be overwhelming for many, so here are some ways to reconnect with family members/friends and decrease the stress over the Holiday season. Below, you will find interactive and fun activities to do with your family members and friends or by yourself over the Holiday season. 

1- Hikes are a great way to get out in nature and experience the beauty around us. Plus they allow you to get your body moving and breathe in the fresh air. 

Here are some hiking and nature parks to visit:

-Raleigh Parks-

• William B. Umstead State Park
• Lake Johnson Park
• Shelley Lake Park
• Brookhaven Nature Park

-NC Mountain Hikes-

• Crowders Mountain State Park
• Stone Mountain State Park
• Pilot Mountain State Park
• Grandfather Mountain

2- Arts & Craft can be a great way to express yourself and tap into your creative side! This can also be a wonderful activity for your family to interact and have some fun.

Examples of arts and crafts could be:

• Make Christmas Ornaments
• Watercolor Dreidel Craft
• Color Popsicle Crafts
• Paint on a Blank Canvas 
• Popsicle Stick Star of David
• Create Butterfly Origami-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZdO2e8K29o
• Paper Mache Creations
• Kwanzaa Necklace Craft
• Decorate Gingerbread Houses

3- Watching Holiday Movies gives you the opportunity to relax with loved ones and share memorable moments of gathering together while watching a favorite Holiday movie.

Here are some suggestions: 

• The Polar Express
• Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
• Home Alone 
• Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey 
• Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer 
• Jack Frost 
• The Santa Clause
• Arthurs Christmas 
• A Charlie Brown Christmas 
• Frozen 
• Eloise at Christmastime 

4- Looking at Christmas Lights is a fun way to get out of the house and admire the lights around town! Here are some places to visit:

• Piper Lights
• Fieldstream Farm Lights
• Night of Lights
• Lights on the Meadow
• Christmas Lights on Holt Road
• Speedway Christmas, Charlotte NC
• Tanglewood Festival of Lights, Clemmons, NC

5- Making Dinner Together enables you to exercise team building and work cohesively to accomplish a task. Making dinner can be a fun way to engage with family members while accomplishing a common goal, making a yummy meal! 

Here are some dinner ideas to create with your family: For more information and recipes visit these websites, https://www.tasteandtellblog.com/22-family-friendly-dinner-ideas/

https://www.culinarynutrition.com/family-friendly-recipes-to-cook-together/

• Baked Penne Pasta
• Crispy Fish Sticks
• Chicken Tortilla Stack
• Quesadillas
• Taco Casserole  
• Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese
• Vegetable Chowder
• Roasted Sweet Potato Zucchini tacos

If you are unable to visit with family over the holidays here is a list of things to do:

• Set up a virtual visit with family or friends
• Make family member cards/send gifts
• Call family members on the phone
• Relax by yourself with a holiday movie with a hot chocolate 
• Read your favorite book 
• Cook your favorite meal or dessert  

Ideas for giving back to others over the Holiday Season

• Making cookies for a neighbor or a friend 
• Volunteer: Here is a link with various volunteer opportunities- https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/orgs.jsp?r=20.0&l=Raleigh%2C+NC%2C+USA
• Give to others in need – donating clothes, giving canned foods to homeless shelters   
• Buying a gift for a friend, family member or anyone 

Madison Reynolds

Mental Health Student Intern