Winter break brings on a big “woo-hoo” and “oh, yeah”! Everyone is ready. Everyone is excited. Whether the dream is sleeping in or shredding some runs, it’s a chance to reset.
Family time is usually a sweet part of the big picture. But winter break, be it super-relaxed or action-packed, is also a great opportunity to keep minds active. Learning doesn’t have to stop when the bell rings for vacation, and it doesn’t have to feel like schoolwork. It can be a mix of play, relaxation, and challenge.
In the high-anticipation run-up to Christmas and the decompression afterward, it can feel hard to find activities that make staying indoors fun and engaging. Keep reading for great ideas to keep kids learning in fun, low-stress ways over break.
Why learning through the holidays matters
We know that over the summer months, kids can forget what they’ve learned, but as this article on the Learner website points out, there is also a “Winter Slide.” Long breaks can lead to a learning loss; those days and weeks away from the structure and routine of school can lead kids to coast, lose momentum, and forget skills and knowledge they learned before break.
The article notes, “Like with anything, if you don’t practice it, revise it, or really even think about it, then your brain is going to categorize it as pretty useless and clear it out to make space for things you do care about.” Here are a few general thoughts to keep in mind:
• Keeping the brain engaged and challenged throughout the holidays is important; it’s possible to learn in many different and fun ways.
• Keeping (some) routine and structure helps kids transition back to school smoothly.
• Winter is a great time for creative, experiential learning through play.
• Learning shouldn’t feel forced; build it into family time naturally.
Honestly, some dedicated learning time can help moderate the high-stim, go-go-go of the holidays, which can be hard for all kids but especially those with ADHD or anxiety. Turning down the volume a notch can be really productive and skill-enhancing, but also a way to quiet the mind.
Snowy day learning without screens
It can be tempting to stick the kids in front of the TV or put a device in their hands when the weather is cold and wet, but here are a few fun winter break learning activities you can try instead that strengthen math, literacy, and creativity skills:
• Snowflake Math: Create paper snowflakes that explore patterns, symmetry, and shapes. You can count how many folds or cuts each snowflake needs. This activity is great for math and can be used for Christmas decorations for the house!
• Hot Chocolate Science: Mix, measure, and melt! Talk about solids, liquids, and temperature, and enjoy a yummy treat at the end! Why not add marshmallows and investigate heat transfer by comparing how quickly marshmallows melt in hot vs. cold water?
• Family Reading Challenge: Is there anything better than sitting by the crackling fire with the family reading a book? Set a family reading goal, which could be one book a night or, for older readers, maybe two chapters a night. Choose winter-themed and Christmas books to set the mood!
• Game night: The holidays are all about spending time as a family, and board games bring families together. Board games help to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning skills, while also improving cognitive abilities like memory and concentration. Try Monopoly (helps with math), Scrabble (helps with literacy skills), Uno, or Connect 4. Indoor learning games for children—and the whole family--can teach important skills and make great memories
• Go Outdoors: Weather-dependent, yes, but especially as it is snowing, go out and experience it! Bundle up and go make snow angels or build a snowperson or an igloo. Go sledding or grab some food coloring and squirt guns to make snow art. This helps with developing key skills like coordination, independence, and social skills, as well as creativity and imagination, and it is fun!!
To help avoid the “do as I say, not as I do” phenomenon, this might be a good time to take a look at your whole family’s device use and make some temporary or ongoing changes, including designating device-free times or zones.
When it is screen time, get digital learning fun with Anywhere Teacher
It’s important to balance purposeful screen time and screen-free time, and let’s face it, there is a lot of travelling during the winter holidays. There are moments when the kids need to be occupied to give you a few quiet minutes. The Anywhere Teacher app is here for those moments. It’s a fun, flexible, travel-friendly way to keep learning alive. Here are just a few of its features and benefits:
• Ideal for ages 2–8 with 3000+ games, videos, songs, interactive worksheets, and more
• Combines School Zone’s trusted learning materials with digital convenience
• Perfect for car rides, quiet mornings, or cozy afternoons
• Covers key early-learning areas: reading, math, phonics, problem-solving, and creativity
• Offers curriculum-based learning paths or free-play options
• Allows parents to track progress and set goals
• No mess, no prep, just learning fun at their fingertips
As Rachel Kowert, Ph.D., notes on the Nurture website, “Digital technology can help children connect, learn, and develop essential skills,” adding that “Studies indicate that what children do on screens matters more than counting minutes.”
Balance learning & relaxation: Tips for parents
Whether staying home or hitting the road, winter break does involve vacation. It’s important to find a balance between structure and free play. Holiday educational activities take many forms, and here are a few tips for striking a balance:
• Keep the activities short. Around 10 - 20 minutes per day can make a big difference in retaining their attention.
• Follow your child’s interests (baking = math + science; snow play = nature + movement). If they are interested, they are going to want to participate and will enjoy it more.
• Use Anywhere Teacher to supplement hands-on play when you need a quiet activity.
• Reward curiosity. Make sure to praise kids for asking questions, not just for correct answers.
• Create learning “moments” throughout the day. Try reading a recipe, measuring ingredients, or counting decorations together. Everyday activities can become indoor winter games for kids!
• Keep it fun and engaging for you and the kids!
Like anything in life, too much of a good thing can be…too much of a good thing. Teaching kids to balance go time with downtime is healthy, and showing them that learning can happen anytime, anywhere is another important lesson.
Take a peek at School Zone’s winter learning picks
School Zone has been developing educational products based on national educational standards for over 45 years. We know how to make resources that will keep your child engaged and learning through the holidays. Here are just a few:
• Workbooks: Beginning Reading Grades 1-2 Workbook, Math Basics Grade 2 Press-Out Workbook, Math Basics Grade 3 Press-Out Workbook, Big Science 2-3 Workbook
• Flash Cards: Phonics Made Easy Flash Cards, Get Ready Flash Cards Addition 0-12 & Subtraction 0-12 (2-Pack), Get Ready Flash Cards Multiplication & Division (2-Pack)
• Activity Books: Fun and Games First Grade Workbook, Big Mazes & More Workbook, Big Codes, Puzzles & More Workbook, and Word Searches Workbook (While these have “workbook” in the title, they are activity- vs. subject-focused!)
• Digital Tools: Anywhere Teacher subscription for at-home or on-the-go learning or fun Windows downloads for a range of skills and ages, like Word Search, Word Search Jr., and State of Confusion, that can be quick, surprising learning treats.
Using a variety of tools and resources helps accommodate different kids’ learning styles but also nudges them beyond their automatic go-to choices.
Keep curiosity alive this winter
Winter break is the perfect time for creative, low-pressure learning, and when learning feels joyful, kids return to school confident and curious. Help make that happen by mixing positive screen time (using tools like Anywhere Teacher) and hands-on activities (like family reading challenges) to keep things fresh and fun.
Think of winter break as a blank canvas waiting to be painted. Terri Guillemets, pen name of writer and quotation collector Terri A. Woodhull, has suggested, “The color of springtime is flowers; the color of winter is our imagination.”
Visit SchoolZone.com to explore interactive games, workbooks, and activities that grow kids’ imagination and make learning part of the winter magic.
