The gift list, the parties, the cooking, the cookies! Tis' the season of holiday stress. If you're like me you're not only trying to buy time.. you're desperate for ways to fill it for your kids during winter break. Board games and movies are a great default but consider stretching the imagination with these easy to do boredom busters.

Dramatic Play:

1. Wonderland Tunnel: I let my kids take over the living room and create their own city. They use the couch, coffee table, chairs to build secret tunnels.String battery operated Christmas lights atop two rows of chairs and cover with a white sheet to create a magical path. (photo: The Golden Gleam)

1. Indoor Campfire: Kids love themes! Get some red and orange tissue paper. Put a flashlight underneath it and let them roast marshmallows! To make the logs just twist some brown grocery bags or paper. I let the kids roll out their sleeping bags and eat smores mix while watching a movie. Smores mix is just honey grahams cereal, mini chocolate chips and mini marshmallows tossed in a baggy.

Holiday Crafts:

1. Angel Ornaments: Personalize your decor around the house or on the tree by printing off pictures of family members and letting kids cut them out. They can embellish with wings and other stickers.
2. Ice Cream Cone Trees: Paint cones with green frosting and let kids decorate with candy and sprinkles. So much easier than baking cookies :)

Clean up, Give Back:

Project Purge: Talk with your child about the season of giving and how to help those in need. Have your child separate old toys they'd like to donate. Remind them they are helping make room for any gifts they may get this year.

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