How To Survive Winter Break And Weekends With Your Kids {+ Giveaway!}

This is a sponsored post about how to survive winter with kids.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Let’s keep it real. When winter breaks and long weekends arrive, we are SO excited to slow down, enjoy our kids, and create long-lasting memories.  But sometimes, even the sanest parent develops a little twitch from the irrational meltdowns and kids running through the house.  So we’re sharing how to survive winter breaks and long weekends without feeling like you want to yell, “Bah humbug!”

How To Survive Winter Breaks And Long Weekends With Your Kids

Break Up The School Breaks:

Alternate days off with chill days at home, scheduled playdates, and excursions.  By mixing it up, you’ll keep things exciting.  Everyone gets bored when there’s no change.  So shake it up a bit!

Be Prepared: 

Set yourself up for success!  It’s totally okay to allow for TV time and an educational app.  But also be prepared with supplies and ideas so you can direct your kid’s attention in other positive ways too.  Check out this resource, it’s full of great ideas. You DO NOT have to be Pinterest mom.  Even if you throw a bunch of craft stuff on a table, you’d be surprised at your kid’s creativity.  They can be so creative!  And don’t forget to stock up on some great hands on play items too.  We especially love HABA’s selection.  Their 3D Arranging Game Creative Stones is eye-catching, interactive, and fun.

HABA 3D Arranging Game Review-

Calling all creative builders!  The different colored blocks included in the Creative Stones 3D arranging game can be used to create a variety of patterns and shapes. But that’s not all.  These blocks are 3 dimensional stones that can be recombined to build new structures too.  So many options that all 5 of our kids, ages 5-14 love this!

Whether children play alone or with others, there are endless building and play possibilities.

Ask For Help: 

Schedule time for YOU to breathe if necessary.  Have a spa day at home even!  No this is not selfish.  Self care for every single member of your family is important.  Reach out to family members, hire a sitter, or do a mom swap. Watch your friend’s kiddos one day, then she can swap and return the favor for you.  (Kids LOVE this option!)   Check out local parent groups on Facebook, care.com, or a good old-fashioned word of mouth sitter.

Start Some New Traditions: 

Don’t let the break just be a “break.” Think about something you want to incorporate into your family time to make it meaningful and memorable. Include your kids in the conversation and start a lifelong tradition in your home.  Here are some ideas to get your started:

• Winter Picnics On The Living Room Floor
• Hot Chocolate And Cookies After Coming In From Playing In The Snow/Outdoors
• Create A Hot Chocolate Bar With Whip Cream, Marshmallows, Sprinkles, And Toppings (Invite Friends To Enjoy With You!)
• Cookie Baking Days
• Walk The Mall With Your Kids And Look For Ways To Surprise People With Random Acts Of Kindness
• Booby Trap Your Child’s Room With Balloons Or Streamers
• Take Turns Picking Soup Recipes And Turn Into A Teachable Cooking Lesson As You Make Together
• Put On A Skit Or Play — Westerns are always fun!

Make A Date: 

If you’re juggling work with kids while trying to survive winter breaks, pick one day for a breakfast or lunch date with them. Even just a 30-minute breakfast at a bagel shop or lunch at a fast food joint will make your kids feel special, and help squash your mom guilt.  It’s a win-win for everyone!  And those little moments where you get to focus solely on your children will be cherished memories in the future. So make sure to get some on the calendar.

Gear Up In Snow Clothes And Head Out To Play:

Kids love winter.  The snow and cold don’t seem to bother them AT ALL.  So bundle up in warm gear and hit the closest sledding hill.

Or maybe you’d rather build a snowman which also pairs well with watching Frozen when you head in!

Put On A Sweatshirt, Snuggle Up, And Enjoy Some Hot Chocolate

We go through several big cans of Hot Chocolate from Sam’s Club every winter.  The kids love this treat so on really cold days, we snuggle into our coziest sweatshirts, sip on mugs, and take turns telling stories and jokes.

Our Favorite Sweatshirts Are From Treehouse Design Studio!

The official launch of Treehouse Design Studios includes some amazing hoodie designs that our kids love, as well as other items.  This sustainable line of children’s wear is actually designed by kids because they believe kid creations are so cool that they should be worn.  

So soft and super comfortable, each hoodie features an oversized name tag inside that can be personalized.  Plus TreeHouse Design Studios even sends along a fabric marker so the child can customize their hoodie immediately and make sure it won’t get mixed up with anyone else’s!

In addition to having their design featured on a piece of clothing, each child designer gets to pick a charity where a percentage of sales from their design supports.  So they get a say in how they can help others! 

There’s also details in each hoodie to enchant a child: the extra ‘treasure pocket’ inside the traditional kangaroo pockets–perfect for a lucky charm or small items picked up around the neighborhood. 

These sweatshirts are available in sizes 2t all the way through youth large.  My kids love these sweatshirts.  They are definitely the softest they own!

A Little Background:

The idea came about after founder, Gretchen Maclver, a mother of 3 and former preschool teacher, received an actual offer from a family friend of $5,000 to purchase one of the pieces her son had drawn, thinking it was a piece of abstract art. Realizing the potential and creativity in kids’ art, the seed for TreeHouse Design Studios was planted. 

So Gretchen set out to create a brand that championed kids’ designs in a way that was both meaningful and beautiful.  The results =  TreeHouse Design Studios uses kids’ art and the most soft, cozy, and high quality fabrics to create the ultimate kids wear.

So tell me, what’s your favorite tip on how to survive winter with kids?  Or are you lucky enough to live in a state where winter doesn’t hit very hard?

Connect With HABA

Website / Facebook / Instagram

Connect With TreeHouse Design Studios

Website / Instagram / Facebook 

TreeHouse Design Studios Giveaway

I’m super excited to share that we’ve teamed up with TreeHouse Design Studios for a giveaway!  One lucky Thrifty Nifty Mommy reader will win one of their cozy sweatshirts and the second winner will receive a hat and patch.  *The sponsor will be receiving emails from all entrants.  Open to the US and Canada.  So just enter the widget below for you chance to win.  Good luck!