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What Do You Do When Your Kids Are Bored Over Winter Break?
Zero-prep ideas that keep boredom away and connection front-and-center.
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Hi there,
Winter break is magical... until about day three, when your kids start acting like you're the designated entertainment director of a cruise ship that never docks.
"I'm bored." "There's nothing to do." "Can we go somewhere?"
And you're sitting there thinking, "You have 47 toys, three gaming systems, and a backyard. What do you mean there's nothing to do?"
But the thing is, kids don't just want stuff to do. They want you. They want connection, novelty, and a little bit of chaos. And honestly? You don't need Pinterest boards or a 14-step craft plan to give them that.
So today, I'm sharing 10 fun, low-effort, zero-prep activities that will keep your kids entertained, create actual memories, and - most importantly - won't drive you completely insane.
Let's dive in!
1. The Kid-Chooses-All Movie Marathon
The Setup: Let your kids pick everything. And I mean everything. Even the weird animated sequels you've never heard of. The third Ice Age movie. The random Netflix original that has 2.5 stars.
Why It Works: Kids love control. They love feeling like they're in charge of something. And you? You love sitting down for once. |
Pro Tip: Make it special by adding popcorn, blankets, and declaring it an "official marathon." Kids eat that stuff up.
2. Expose Them to "Old Stuff"
The Setup: Show your kids old music, old movies, or old TV shows from your childhood (or even earlier).
Why It Works: It's not just about nostalgia. It's about giving kids a sense of history, showing them that culture evolves, and helping them appreciate where things come from. |
The other day, I showed my older son I Love Lucy - you know, the black-and-white comedy from the 1950s. He had zero interest at first. To him, it was ancient and boring.
But once he started watching it, he was hooked. And it gave him context for how comedy has developed over time. He began understanding references, seeing where modern shows got their ideas.
3. Netflix Family Games (Or Classic Board Games)
The Setup: Play games together. And I'm not talking about elaborate setups. I'm talking about whatever's easy and fun.
Why It Works: Games create competition, laughter, and those moments where your kid is both trying to beat you and having the best time. |
Netflix just launched family games in the US - you can play Pictionary and other games right through Netflix using your phone (and without downloading another app!). My kids found it on their own, and it was genuinely fun. One game is called Party Crasher, and you draw on your phone, and it shows up on the TV immediately.
Pro-tip: If you don't have Netflix games, pull out the classics - Monopoly, Uno, card games, or even make up your own silly competitions.
4. Cozy Reading Hour (All in One Room)
The Setup: Everyone grabs something to read and sits together in the same room. No rules on what counts as "reading."
Why It Works: Graphic novels? Yes. Cookbooks? Yes. Your kid's Minecraft guidebook? Sure. The goal isn't perfection. It's being together, quietly. Some kids (like my older son) will resist at first. They'll say they're not interested, they'd rather do something else. But once they get into it, they're fine |
Pro Tip: Pack up and go to Starbucks. Suddenly, reading feels like an event. They feel grown-up, and that shifts the energy completely.
5. The Mystery Box Cooking Challenge
The Setup: A chaotic, wholesome family cooking competition.
Why It Works: It's unpredictable, hands-on, and kids feel accomplished when they create something edible (or at least try). |
Take a box and fill it with random things from your fridge - pasta, cheese, random vegetables, a can of something, maybe a "special ingredient" you bought just for this. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes. Tell your kids to make something with whatever's in the box.
My kids watch cooking shows, so they love this. They take it seriously. They get competitive. And honestly, you get a break from figuring out what's for dinner.
Winner gets bragging rights + control of the TV remote for one hour.
6. Play a Sport Together as a Family
The Setup: Go outside and play something. Football, soccer, tennis, pickleball - anything that gets everyone moving.
Why It Works: It's active, it's outdoors, and it builds camaraderie. Especially for siblings - when they're on the same team, they have to work together. It shifts the dynamic from "annoying sibling" to "teammate." And honestly, we all need to move more during the holidays. This gets everyone off screens and actually doing something together. |
7. Outdoor Walk + Photo Scavenger Hunt
The Setup: Make a simple list of things to find and photograph:
Something red
Something circular
A dog
A holiday decoration
A cloud shaped like something
Give your kids a phone or camera and let them hunt.
Why It Works: Kids love missions. They love feeling like they're on an adventure, even if it's just a walk around the neighborhood. And you? You get fresh air, a little exercise, and kids who are actually engaged instead of complaining. |
Pro Tip: This works exceptionally well if you're going somewhere new or unfamiliar. It gives kids something to focus on beyond "Are we done yet?"
8. Write a Postcard to "Future You"
The Setup: Have your kids write a letter or postcard to their future selves. Prompt them with: "What do you want future-you to remember?"
Seal it in an envelope and mark it "Open June 1, 2025" (or next winter break, or their next birthday).
Why It Works: This becomes a time capsule of their little hearts. What they cared about, what made them laugh, what they were excited about. And when they open it months later, it's this beautiful moment of "Oh wow, I forgot about that." |
Pro-tip: Make a video instead. Have them ask their future selves questions. "Are you still into Minecraft?" "Did you make the soccer team?" "Do you still hate broccoli?"
There was a viral video of a private school interviewing 6th graders, asking them questions about their future selves in 12th grade. Six years later, they brought those same kids back and had them answer the questions on camera. It was adorable and emotional and such a cool way to capture change over time.
Then vs. Now: Answering Questions From Your 6th Grade Self. Check out the video for inspo :)
9. Interview the Grandparents
The Setup: If you're lucky enough to have grandparents around still, have your kids interview them on video.
Why It Works: We don't know how much time we have left with our parents or our kids' grandparents. And kids are finally old enough to ask good questions, understand the answers, and be genuinely curious. |
One of my friends just lost her father. I went to the funeral, and it hit me - we get busy with day-to-day life, and before you know it, it's too late.
So this winter break, I'm having my boys sit down with their grandparents and just talk. Capture those stories while we can.
10. The Winter Break "Yes Hour"
The Setup: For one hour, say yes to reasonable requests.
"Can we paint our nails?" Yes. "Can we build a pillow fort?" Yes. "Can we have ice cream before lunch?" ...Okay fine, yes.
Why It Works: Kids feel free. You get to play instead of manage. And honestly, saying yes to small things creates so much joy that it's worth the little bit of chaos. |
Connection Over Perfection
Here's what I want you to remember, winter break doesn't have to be packed with activities. It doesn't have to look like a highlight reel.
Your kids don't need you to be the cruise director. They just need you to be present.
So pick 2-3 things from this list. Try them. See what sticks. And let go of the rest.
The memories they'll carry aren't from perfectly executed plans. They're from the moments you laughed together, tried something new, or just sat in the same room being cozy.
That's enough.
That's all for today's issue, parents! 💗
Inside the Laid-back Parent’s Internet History this week:
What's your go-to winter break activity? |
Note for My Fellow -Back Parents 📧
Don't put pressure on yourself to fill every minute. Pick a couple of activities from this list, try them when you have energy, and let the rest of the days just... be.
You're doing great, even on the days when it doesn't feel like it.
See you next week,
Lakshmi 💛
