The holiday break can seem never-ending. Some ideas on how to get the kids (and you) through it.
IF YOU'RE STAYING AT HOME, HOW ABOUT...
* A pajama day.
Be totally lazy, says Melissa Stanton, a mom of three and author of the The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide. Don't even get dressed. Cook together, watch movies, play board games. "I find that if we have a day when we don't leave the house we don't spend money that day," she says.
* Playdates
Let your kids invite their friends over for the day or to sleep over, says Stanton. "It is a hard day for mum, but at least we're in the house and everyone is occupied," she says. "Hopefully another parent will reciprocate and take my one, two or three kids."
* An obstacle course.
Build one inside or set-up a scavenger hunt using furniture and household objects.
* A game day.
Set up several board games, such as Monopoly, Risk, Battleship, and rotate every 10 minutes from game to game, says Jen Singer, creator of MommaSaid.net.
* Some exercise.
Take family walks, jogs or races around the neighborhood every morning or afternoon. Leave the car at home and, if possible, walk to the mall or movie theater instead - or ride bikes.
* Play outside.
Have the kids organize a football game outside. Let your kids sell chilled lemonade at a lemonade stand - with your supervision, says Singer.
IF YOU WANT A FAMILY OUTING, HOW ABOUT...
* A museum.
* The library.
* The zoo.
* The movies.
It's still one of the cheapest forms of out-of-home entertainment. Take the kids to a matinee to see Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa; or Bedtime Stories, which opens on Boxing Day.
* The aquarium.
* Summer Camp.
IF YOU NEED A BREAK FROM THE KIDS, SEND THEM TO...
* The zoo.
* The museum.
* The aquarium.
* A community theater.
