5 Learning Activities for Winter Break from Marian University Preparatory School

Learning activities during holiday break balances fun and productivity

The holiday season is here – the busy time of finishing tests and assignments, all leading to a well-deserved break. While learning is essential, it’s equally important for our minds to rest from constant thinking and processing. As a future leader, it’s key to balance hard work with relaxation. To keep your mind engaged while having fun, an online school has created a list of holiday activities designed to brighten both your spirits and your intellect.

Fun Ideas for Learning Activities

As you plan holiday activities and family time, consider incorporating your favorite traditions while also trying some new ones! Holiday break is a wonderful time for relaxation and family fun, but it’s also an opportunity to keep your child’s mind engaged while they enjoy their time off. MU Prep is here to support you with these ideas to help keep the fun going while fostering learning and growth.

Host a Family Game Night

Set aside a night for some family game time. Many board and card games encourage teamwork, boost critical thinking and are just plain fun. Games can teach money management, probability, improve vocabulary and strengthen memory. With so many options to choose from, you can enjoy classics such as Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee, chess, trivia games or 20 Questions. Or try something new, such as Skip-Bo, Mastermind, Apples to Apples, Minute to Win It games and more!

Connect with your family

Chances are, you’re already surrounded by loved ones this holiday season. Encourage everyone to write a story about themselves they’d like to share. Set up a video camera to record a loved one recounting a memorable time or story from their life. You also could create a family tree together, involving an older family member to help share memories and details!

Catch up on a holiday movie

Movies can lead to thoughtful discussions about characters, settings, themes, and traditions portrayed in a film. Just like with books, take time to analyze the messages and deeper meanings, and encourage everyone to share their insights and opinions to foster a lively conversation.

Nurture your creativity

Choose a hobby, craft or cooking project to enjoy as a family. Focus on activities that spark creativity and align with your family’s interests. Make holiday cards or ornaments to hang on the tree or give as gifts. Try building a gingerbread house, baking cookies, making bread or preparing a special dinner to practice following steps and use math skills. Get creative by drawing, painting or coloring together, and then hold an “art show” to showcase and discuss everyone’s artwork.

Put together a puzzle

Pick up some puzzles to work on as a family. You can buy new ones, but also check what you already have, swap with another family or borrow some from your local library. Work on assembling the puzzles together – some might take a few days to complete!

Play a Newly Invested Game

If you’re looking for something a little different this season, you might check out Flip 7. Created by a K12 teacher in Idaho who invents games, Flip 7 is up for Toy of the Year. Flip 7 is simple to pick up in seconds, so everyone, from kids to adults, can jump right in and start playing for instant fun. It’s also lightweight and portable, ideal for bringing along on trips, so you’re never without a fun game to play with family and friends!

Log into the K12 Skills Arcade

Need more ideas? MU Prep wants you to keep the learning going—and the fun alive—over winter break with the K12 Skills Arcade! Engage your students while still having down time. The arcade will be available through Jan. 15, 2025. Visit the arcade for many learning ideas. Students can access the Winter Arcade through the OLS/D2L homepage.

MU Prep encourages students to take a break this season and enjoy some quality time with family. Many activities provide hidden learning opportunities, from math and creativity to money management, relationship building, problem-solving and more. This holiday season, make sure to cherish the small moments together. Additionally, explore learning options that allow your child to focus on their passions outside of the classroom, whether through creative projects, hobbies or real-world experiences that inspire their interests and growth as a future leader.