It’s that time of year when teachers just want to sit in their student’s reading corner or desk and enjoy the moment with them. Here are some great winter break warm ups that will keep the class engaged:

  • Winter STEM Challenges: Create challenges related to winter, such as building a snow fort or designing a winter survival kit. Who wouldn’t want to build a snow fort in class?!?! Of course, no snowball fights allowed.
  • Coding Challenges: Have students create winter-themed games or animations using coding platforms like Scratch or Python. OR to stay on lesson, build in a lesson item so students will still be “working.” Take it up a level by having them present their ideas or win fun prizes.
  • Popcorn and Hot Chocolate: Provide popcorn and hot chocolate for a cozy movie-watching experience. Set up an in class hot cocoa bar filled with donated snacks from parents. *Tip: to control water temp so it’s not too hot opt to bring in pre made cocoa carrier from a local coffee shop.
  • Host a Food Drive: Collect food donations for a local food bank. Enlist someone to bring in a box, get the class to decorate it, build a small research team to figure out where it’s going, and drop it off at the set location. A great give back before break.
  • Wish the World Well – Instead of focusing on what your students want for themselves for the holiday season, have them consider and share their wishes for what they want for the world. This can be a great opportunity for students to write about something they are passionate about seeing or experiencing —world peace, a cleaner environment, or anything to better their community! You can put them all in a “vision” book or post up around the classroom.
  • Take a Hike – Mixing education and exercise (especially in California) can be a great way to spend a couple 1-2 hours of the school day. If the weather permits, take a hike outside somewhere close by. You can spotlight nature and seasonal shifts.  You can even teach more focused lessons on plants or animals that you never noticed before.
  • Create New Year’s Cards – Help students get creative! Have them create holiday cards for family and friends—wishing all peace, love and success for the new year—using construction paper, glue, glitter, colored pencils, markers, cotton, stencils and anything else festive you can find.

If all else fails, throw a fun cultural holiday party and enjoy!