8 Ways to Stay Active with Your Kids During the Holiday Season
The holiday season brings twinkling lights, cozy sweaters, and plenty of family time — but it can also mean disrupted routines and a whole lot of sitting still.
As a daycare and early childhood education provider, we know how important movement is for children’s development. Physical activity supports growing muscles, boosts brain development, and helps kids burn off the extra excitement that comes with the holidays!
To help families stay active and connected, here are 8 fun, simple ways to keep kids moving all season long.
1. Go on a Holiday Lights Walk
Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa to-go, and take a walk through your neighborhood to look at holiday decorations. Kids love spotting their favorite displays, and walking together is a great way to add movement into your evening routine.
Pro Tip: Turn it into a scavenger hunt—look for snowmen, stars, reindeer, or your child’s favorite colors!
2. Try a Festive Family Dance Party
Play your favorite holiday songs and let your child be the DJ! Dancing helps with coordination, balance, and self-expression. Plus, it’s a huge mood-booster during these darker winter months.
Bonus: It’s a great indoor option for cold or snowy days when families are stuck inside.
3. Create an Indoor Obstacle Course
Use pillows, chairs, tape lines on the floor, or play tunnels to create a safe course in your living room. Kids naturally love testing their gross-motor skills, and this is a simple way to keep them engaged. Plus, these silly, laughter-filled obstacle courses often become the moments they remember most — the kind of cozy holiday core memories that stay with them forever.
4. Visit a Local Park or Playground
Even in cooler weather, outdoor play is incredibly beneficial. Fresh air boosts mood, supports immune health, and gives kids a healthy dose of natural vitamin D to keep them healthy during cold and flu season. A quick trip to the playground helps kids burn energy and supports physical development.
Pro Tip: Keep a “winter play bag” in your car with gloves, hats, and scarves so you’re always ready for a quick park stop.
5. Try Kid-Friendly Holiday Yoga
Simple stretches and breathing exercises help kids stay active while also promoting calm during a busy season. Look up holiday-themed poses, like “snowflake stretch” or “reindeer reach.” Yoga supports body awareness, balance, and self-regulation — skills we focus on every day in early childhood programs. These gentle movements help children feel grounded, coordinated, and more in control of their bodies, which is especially helpful during the excitement of the holidays.
6. Make Holiday-Themed Movement Games
Try fun prompts like:
- “Waddle like a penguin”
- “Spin like a snowflake”
- “March like a toy soldier”
- “Leap like a reindeer”
These quick games keep kids entertained and moving throughout the day.
7. Enjoy a Winter Nature Adventure
Whether your area is blanketed in snow or just chilly, getting outside is a wonderful way to stay active and explore nature. If it’s snowy, try sledding, building a snow fort, or making snow angels. If not, head out on a nature walk or scavenger hunt. Look for pinecones, interesting leaves, animal tracks, or festive neighborhood decorations.
This kind of playful outdoor exploration encourages curiosity, gets kids moving, and creates magical, lasting memories. Outdoor play is an essential part of a child’s day, and winter adventures — snowy or not — make the season unforgettable.
8. Involve Kids in Holiday Preparations
Holiday chores can be movement-based too! Invite kids to:
- Wrap presents
- Help sweep up pine needles
- Set the table
- Stir cookie batter
- Place ornaments on the tree
These activities support independence, coordination, and practical life skills. They also help build both gross and fine motor skills!
Why Staying Active Matters
At our daycare centers, we know physical activity is essential to early childhood development. Movement helps children build strong muscles, develop social skills, and improve focus and learning — all things that are especially important during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
By incorporating simple, fun activities into holiday traditions, families can keep kids healthy, happy, and active all winter long.
