Holidays and Family Fun with Learning

Written by Anna O'Connor-Morin, Associate Superintendent of Education

UCP Charter Schools

Core literacy and numeracy skills form the foundation of all future learning, making them essential areas for parents to support at home. Literacy begins with exposure to rich language—reading aloud, discussing stories, and encouraging children to express their thoughts verbally or in writing. Numeracy thrives when children see numbers in real-life contexts, such as cooking, shopping, or measuring. By weaving reading, writing, and math into everyday activities, parents help build confident learners who understand how these skills apply beyond the classroom. 

Ultimately, the goal is to help children become independent, self-directed learners. Parents can foster this independence by teaching planning and organization skills, such as using planners, setting goals, and reflecting on progress. Encouraging curiosity—asking open-ended questions, exploring interests, and allowing children to attempt challenges before stepping in—builds resilience and confidence. When children learn that they can take ownership of their learning, they develop strong habits that benefit them throughout school and into adulthood.

Activities to do over holiday break 

Here’s a curated list of fun, low-prep educational activities parents can do with kids at home during the holidays. I grouped them by skill/subject to make browsing easier.

Literacy & Language

• Story Basket: Fill a basket with objects (toy car, feather, cup) and have your child pick three to create a story.

• Holiday Book Bingo: Make a bingo card with reading-related tasks (read under a blanket, read aloud to a pet, read a poem).

• Letter Scavenger Hunt: Hide magnetic letters or write letters on sticky notes around the house and have kids find and match them to words.

• Family Interview Project: Kids interview relatives (in person or via video call) and write a short “bio.”

Math & Logic

• Recipe Fractions: Bake something together and talk about measuring, doubling, or halving a recipe.

• Board-Game Math: Use games like Yahtzee, Uno, or Monopoly to practice counting, probability, and strategy.

• Shape Hunt: Walk around the house identifying shapes and sorting objects by geometry features.

• Lego Symmetry Challenge: Build half a structure and have your child build the mirror image.

Science & Exploration

• Weather Journal: Track daily temperature, sky conditions, or cloud types and graph them at the end of the break.

• Kitchen Chemistry: Make homemade slime, vinegar-and-baking-soda volcanoes, or rock candy while discussing what’s happening.

• Nature Classification: Collect leaves, rocks, or pinecones and sort them by size, texture, or type.

• Shadow Experiments: Use a flashlight and toys to explore shadows and how they change with distance and angle.

Creativity & Art

• Holiday Card Design: Provide paper, markers, and templates for kids to design cards for family members.

• DIY Instruments: Make rain sticks, drums, or rubber-band guitars and explore sound.

• Photography Walk: Give kids a phone or small camera and assign themes (patterns, colors, textures).

• Build a Mini Museum: Kids curate a “collection” of toys or found objects and create labels.

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving

• Puzzle Day: Do jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, or riddles together.

• STEM Building Challenge: Create a bridge from straws, a tower from paper, or a boat from foil and test it.

• Escape-Room at Home: Set up clues around the house leading to a final “treasure.”

• What Would You Do? Scenarios: Present real-life dilemmas and discuss solutions.

Social Studies & Culture

• Map the Holiday: Look at a map or globe and learn about how different places celebrate holidays.

• Family History Timeline: Create a timeline of family events with photos.

• International Recipe Night: Cook a dish from another culture and talk about where it comes from.

• Community Helpers Letters: Write thank-you notes to firefighters, postal workers, or nurses.

Well-Being & Life Skills

• Mindfulness Minutes: Try short guided breathing or gratitude journaling.

• Money Challenge: Give kids a small “budget” to plan a family snack or activity.

• Declutter & Donate Day: Sort toys and clothes to donate while discussing generosity.

• Mini Home Projects: Teach kids to sew a button, plant a seed, or fix something small.