Discover winter break activities for kids that encourage creativity, build practical skills and bring families closer together. When the school term comes to an end, children’s structured days of learning and enrichment give way to an open-ended holiday. However, winter break does not have to mean catching up on schoolwork or spending hours glued to devices. A balance of rest, learning and entertainment can help children enjoy a meaningful break and feel recharged for the next school term.
Every parent has been there: the school term ends, and suddenly, the usual routines of lessons, activities and learning give way to days with fewer plans. So, how can parents make the most of the winter break without filling every moment with activities?
The key is to create space for rest, exploration and meaningful time together.
Learn more: AHI Meaningful Family Summer Activities
Relax, Rest and Recharge
After a busy school term, winter break gives children a chance to step away from the pressure of lessons, projects and tests. Not every moment needs to be productive, and children should feel free to enjoy their holidays without having to meet goals or achieve specific outcomes.
According to Yogman et al. (2018), preschool children who were allowed to explore objects with minimal adult direction came up with three times as many unconventional uses for them as children who were given specific instructions. This highlights how giving children room to experiment can encourage creative thinking.
Photo: Students enthusiastically reading a storybook during break time.
Parents can make room for this kind of exploration by letting children build with blocks, draw, create stories or play with everyday household objects at their own pace. Reading, listening to music or journalling are other ways to enjoy quiet, self-directed activities.
While it is natural to want to make the most of the holidays, giving children the freedom to choose how they spend their time away from screens can help them enjoy a well-deserved break from their usual routine.
Bake Up New Skills
Learning can happen in unexpected places, and the kitchen is a great place to start. Baking is one of many educational activities for children that turn everyday experiences into opportunities to practise practical skills. Winter is also a wonderful time to bake festive sugar cookies together, giving families a chance to bond while children learn through hands-on experience.
According to CEHD Communications (2025), measuring ingredients introduces mathematical concepts such as fractions and quantities, while following a recipe helps children practise sequencing and learn new vocabulary.
Photo: Exploring a kitchen toy set during a Toddlers Club session at AHI Preschool.
Find a simple holiday cookie recipe online and let children get involved in measuring ingredients, mixing the dough and decorating the finished treats. Older children can take on a bigger challenge by doubling the recipe to make enough for the whole family, practising multiplication while learning to adjust ingredient quantities.
This winter break activity for kids is a fun way to put classroom skills to use and create something from scratch together.
Photo: Colourful Christmas cookies with festive decorations. Source: Pexels.
Enjoy a Movie Night Together
After an afternoon of baking, gather for a festive film with freshly baked cookies and a warm glass of milk. Revisit timeless classics such as *Home Alone* or *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* and share a few laughs while making new memories along the way.
Photo: Home Alone, a classic holiday film for a family movie night.
A family movie night can be about more than the story on screen. According to Common Sense Media (2025), watching films together gives parents and children opportunities to talk about characters’ feelings, understand different perspectives and learn about experiences beyond their own.
A simple question about a character’s choices can open the door to meaningful conversations, helping children develop empathy while giving families a chance to understand one another a little better.
Long after the credits roll, it may be these small moments together that children remember most.
[Choosing What Works for Your Family]
The holidays are a time for celebration, relaxation and spending time with loved ones. Whether you are baking festive treats, enjoying a favourite film together or discovering something new, these shared experiences can become cherished family memories. Choose the winter break activities that suit your family best and enjoy making the most of your time together.
For families looking for school holiday activities in Ho Chi Minh City to add some structure to the break, AHI’s Winter Camp offers children opportunities to learn, explore and connect with others during the holidays.
Find out more about AHI’s Winter Camps.
Book a School Tour to discover AHI’s approach to holistic learning.
References
Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Golinkoff, R. M. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3), Article e20182058.
Read the research paper: The Power of Play
CEHD Communications. (2025, December 19). Learning through baking. Texas A&M University, School of Education and Human Development.
Read the article: Learning Through Baking
Common Sense Media. (2025, July 17). Why watching TV and movies is better together.
Read the article: Why Watching TV and Movies Is Better Together
