Kids Out of School

The kids entertain themselves at this age. If they are bored the go outside to play, it it's a blizzard outside they might not go out but if it's just snow then out they go for at least a little while. They can watch TV, movies, do all kinds of stuff. They don't need to be entertained.

Duct tape?

Just kidding.

I loved that point when you realize they are old enough that they are fun on break.

I have always played it by ear. Seems like making plans causes fights, ya know you are all pumped up about the museum and junior is already overstimulated. You want to paint and junior wants TV time.

My go to energy burner was a play place. I found that a little better than a chuck e cheese. :(

Now days they have monkey joes and a place called bounce u. They even have drop off for a few hours so you get mom time. :)

You may be overthinking it. The kids have only been in school for 3-4 months. Summer wasn't too long ago, so whatever they did then, is good now. I have found our 6 yr old, who loves to color and draw is spending a lot of time...........DOING NOTHING! Just relax and enjoy the few moments when they peek their head in and say "i'm hungry" ;)

No such thing as too cold! Unless it's far below freezing. It was just below 40 degrees here last weekend and my husband, his 4 year old daughter, and I went for a nature hike for a couple of hours. She loved it! We made sure she was bundled up against the cold and whatnot. Hat, gloves, snow boots, ect. She ended up collecting pine cones. Which brings me to my next suggestion...
One of my favorite things to do in the winter is make bird feeders out of pine cones. You take a pine cone, cover it in peanut butter, and roll it in wild bird seed. Kids have fun making them and if you hang it outside in front of a window, they can watch the birds eat.
You mentioned she loves to draw. What about drawing holiday cards for teachers, family, your doctor, mail carrier, bus driver, ect. Have her pick her favorite people and then draw pictures and write "Happy Holidays!" or whatever message you wish.
Build forts! Chairs, couches, blankets, pillows can all become a pretty wicked fort with enough imagination. She can go indoor camping. Let her have lunch in her fort, and maybe even sleep in it.
Hope you have fun with your kiddo and the cabin fever doesn't get too bad :)

My daughter is 4 and in preschool, but not having school is making her crazy (and of course making me crazy too as a result!). So far we've taken her to one movie in the movie theater, and I've taken her swimming at the local high school pool (it's open to the community). We've baked banana bread and chocolate chip cookies. We have some play dates set up with friends. There's also an indoor play area near our home that we may go to at least once. If there is a Michael's or similar craft store near you you can see what they have for craft projects for her - sometimes they have classes for kids. We will probably be planning to take her to a children's museum one day at some point. We've also been to a place where you can paint your own pottery - she loved that!

Is there a place in the house you can do an indoor garden? We got a few pots and some seeds and worked on growing some flowers and some vegetables. If you have a Wii system its the best because the games are interactive. its not just a sit and stare. The penguins club is awesome because they have dance contests and other games. Also the wii fit is cool for balancing games. It will keep you 6 year old active even if inside.

Some TV during the holidays, movies about the time of year, baking, making homemade gifts, go through her closet & toy box to give to the Salvation Army or the local shelter.

AND not stressing about what to do is good for you, she more than likely will be happy to simply spend time home with her mommy! :)

Call a local hotel & see if you can pay to use their indoor pool for the day. Some of the hotels in our area will let you do this without having to actually rent a room for the night.

You've covered a lot of what I was going to say: books, games, puzzles, arts and crafts... but break was always a good time for me to do 3 things with my girls: 1- Taught them how to help out around the house, 2- play 'school' and reinforce what they've been learning, and 3- teach them how to play independently. Yes, you're with them the whole break, but no, you don't have to play together every minute of every day!

Not sure how freezing cold it is there yet, but I still get my girls (6 and 8) all bundled up when the 'baby' (he's 2 today, omg, my big man!!) takes a nap, and kid them out to play in the yard for at least 30 minutes (we're not big t.v. watchers)... we also listen to a LOT of music, specifically Christmas music right now, and sing and dance to all our favorites :)

You could also keep her busy with a 'project'... either she can write a book, once page per day, that she illustrates for something fun she did each day of break to share with her teacher when she returns to school... or, what I want to do with my girls, we're going to do an experiment, and have them wear blind folds and 'taste' different foods, then log which they likes best and why, then let them know what they were eating after the fact. We're big on science stuff ;)

Have fun with it! I always look forward to winter break... then I look forward to their return to school towards the end of these 2 VERY long weeks :)

We went to the craft store and got loads of stuff for about ten dollars. I also have a workbook for my daughter (Brain Quest) to keep her busy. She likes to read and watch a little TV too. She does well playing by herself so I don't worry too much, I know she will find something to play with. We do get to the park once in a while since it is warm here and to the library.

My daughter is 5 and in kindergarten too.

Library, play dates, cook/bake with them.

Projects! Lol...they're messy but it keeps them busy. Give her old magazines to cut out pictures she likes. Then she can glue them on a piece of paper and hang it in her room when it's dry. She could make one to send to her grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. Playdoh, visit local museums/aquariums, visit library, build a secret hide out with chairs and a blanket, bake cookies/bread together. Have her help with cleaning, my kids love to have a turn with the vacuum (and they're pretty good at it). Set up a couple play dates with some of her school friends. I'm in the same boat so I wish you good luck and have a great holiday :)

Last year I took off the one full week that my kids were home. We did TONS of stuff.

We went bowling, to a jump yard (indoor bounce house place), The Melting Pot, to see Tangled in a nice theater, to a paint and pottery place, Build-a-Bear, and more! The week actually cost me more than some of our vacations have, but it was amazing and we still talk about it!

This year I'm working so they'll be at daycare. Next year I'm taking the full two weeks off.

Maybe you can go swimming? Bowling? Movies?

We have been having the best break. I usually have a routine, of chores then fun. Ithink while they are home is a great time to get them more involvd with chores. This morning after my kids eat breakfast they are going to pick up the living room, then fold their own laundry. We watch TV while doing it and they don't mind. Then we are going to a bounce house place to burn off some energy. But yesterday we did chores then did some baking and card making and took those things to our neighbors. The day before they did chores and we took some donations to goodwill then came home and decorated gingerbread house kits...You get the point. Iike to use their off time to make sure they are getting good down time reading or playing. Little things like a pan of uncooked rice, and a few of her little toys shoukd be able to keep her busy for quite a while. Also even though it is a hassle to bundle up we try to spend at least 20 minutes a day outside, unless it is snowing and blowing. It helps everybody's attitude.

outings to the local fast food place that has an indoor play place.
work books, computer time, board games, Make christmas cards, read, color, draw, movies, listen to music , dance, ect.
Let her play by herself! She will be fine finding her own things to do, using her imagination , she does not have to be entertained all the time. It's good for her.