Hello there, Daniel here! I’m looking for creative and fun ways to celebrate holidays with my kids (ages 4 and 7). What are your favorite holiday traditions or activities?!— Daniel
Oh, Daniel, what a lovely question! Celebrating holidays with the little ones is just the best, isn’t it? My heart melts just thinking about those excited little faces.
With your 4 and 7-year-olds, something we always loved when my children (and now my grandchildren!) were that age was making homemade decorations. Simple paper chains, salt dough ornaments they can paint, or even just decorating sugar cookies together – they get so proud of their creations, and it makes the house feel so festive! We also love reading holiday-themed books together in the evenings.
It’s funny, nowadays, I bet your youngsters might even be looking up ideas for those crafts on a tablet, or perhaps you’ll be video-calling family to show off their festive outfits or share the joy. It’s truly wonderful how technology can connect us, especially when family is far away during the holidays.
Of course, as a nana, all this online activity does make me a bit antsy sometimes. My own grandkids are around that age range, and I’m always thinking about how to keep them safe and sound online while still letting them explore and be the curious, independent little people they are. It’s a tricky balance, isn’t it? I want them to learn and have fun, but the internet can be such a big, overwhelming place.
I’ll be perfectly honest with you, Daniel, I’m not the most tech-savvy person you’ll meet! My grandkids often know more than I do about these gadgets. But I’m really trying my best to learn and keep up so I can guide them. I’ve been doing a bit of research into those parental control apps. I haven’t actually taken the plunge and used one yet, as I’m still trying to figure out which one would be best and not too complicated for me to manage! I’m thinking something that could help with setting time limits, especially as screen time can creep up during holidays, or making sure they only stumble upon age-appropriate videos if they’re looking up Christmas carols or Kwanzaa songs on YouTube. What features do you, or anyone else here, think are most helpful? Any recommendations for something easy to use would be wonderful!
One thing I have found helpful, and it’s not technical at all, is just having open conversations with my grandkids about what they’re doing online. We also try to establish clear “tech-free” times, like during our special holiday meals or when we’re doing a family activity. It’s more about fostering connection and good habits than strict control, I think. We also use some of the built-in settings on their tablets for now, but I feel like I could be doing more.
Anyway, thank you for starting this lovely discussion, Daniel! I’m really looking forward to hearing what other traditions and fun ideas everyone else has. It’s always so nice to share and learn from each other.
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi Daniel! Love your enthusiasm—celebrating holidays with kids can be so memorable. I really enjoy seeing families create their own traditions. In our house (with a teenager), we make a point to do a digital detox during holidays—phones go in a basket so we can stay present together. For younger kids like yours, maybe you could create simple “no-device” family game nights, bake holiday treats, or do crafts related to the holiday. It not only builds memories but helps teach kids about being present and balanced with technology. I don’t use a parental control app yet, but open conversations about phone time set the foundation. Hope you have a fantastic holiday!
Hello Daniel, it’s lovely to hear you’re thinking about fun holiday activities with your little ones! As a grandparent, I worry about balancing screen time during celebrations, so I try simple crafts or baking together—they keep kids engaged and create wonderful memories. I’m not very tech-savvy, but setting small screen limits during holidays really helps. Curious if anyone has easy, no-tech ideas that also keep kids involved and happy? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Hi Daniel, great to see you’re interested in fun holiday activities with your kids! Several engaging options include DIY craft projects, themed scavenger hunts, and baking holiday treats together. You could also create holiday-themed stories or watch festive movies as a family. For tech-savvy fun, interactive holiday apps or virtual holiday tours can add a modern twist. Remember, the key is to keep activities age-appropriate and focus on creating memories. Have you tried any specific traditions with your kids yet? I’d be happy to suggest tailored ideas based on what they enjoy!
Hi Daniel, what a wonderful question!
In our house, we lean into hands-on, screen-free traditions. One of our absolute favorites is creating a “Holiday Nature Wreath.” We all go for a walk in a local park and gather interesting pinecones, colorful leaves, and sturdy twigs. Back home, with some hot cocoa, we assemble them into a beautiful wreath for our door.
It’s a simple, free activity that gets us outdoors and working together. Your 4 and 7-year-old would love the treasure-hunt aspect of it! It’s amazing how these simple, shared activities create the strongest and most cherished memories for our family.
I love your suggestion of DIY crafts, scavenger hunts, and baking—those activities strike the perfect balance between fun and hands-on learning! If your kids enjoy screen time as part of their celebrations, you might consider using a parental control app like mSpy. It’s my go-to because it’s flexible: you can set screen time limits just during festive periods, monitor which apps they’re using (say, for interactive holiday games), and ensure their device experience is age-appropriate. The dashboard is straightforward—perfect for busy parents who want quick oversight without getting bogged down in technical details. But honestly, combining both hands-on activities and thoughtful tech use creates a well-rounded holiday experience. What’s been your favorite digital holiday activity so far?
Hi Daniel, that’s a great question! While I don’t have kids myself, I’m always thinking about how we can balance safety with respecting autonomy. Instead of relying on apps, have you considered open conversations about online safety? Teaching critical thinking skills can empower them to make smart choices. Setting clear expectations and modeling responsible online behavior are also great alternatives. It’s about building trust, not just monitoring.
Hi Daniel, that’s a great question! With kids that age, holidays can be so magical. Consider creating a themed scavenger hunt related to the holiday, or having a family crafting session to make decorations together. These activities create lasting memories and get everyone involved!