We’re almost two weeks through December which means many college students will be coming home soon and younger kids will be off school for the holiday season.
As the song goes, “And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again.”
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Take the time you have at home with your kids to create new memories or start a new tradition this year. There are plenty of things to do around town to keep everyone busy and happy.
Here are a few:
Grab your skates at the U.S. Bank Ice Rink in Fountain Square
- From now until Dec. 18, the rink is open Monday-Thursday from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Starting Dec. 19 (through Jan.4), the rink will be open Monday-Sunday from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
See the lights at the PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Open now until Jan. 2; Sunday-Thursday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Visit the German Christmas market at Cincideutsch Christkindlmarkt
- Open on weekends leading up to Christmas: Fridays 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Taste fresh apple cider and shop at Hidden Valley Fruit Farm & Country Store
- From now until Dec. 23, visit the farm for fresh baked goods and other gifts from the country store: Every day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Also open Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Christmas day)
Tear it up at Perfect North Slopes
- Assuming we get some snow soon, Perfect North Slopes’ lifts will be open Sunday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Kids can also help you around the house as you bake or get ready for guests. Have them decorate some plain white paper to use as wrapping paper for family or friends or pick up enough sprinkles for the state of Kentucky along with your other cookie ingredients and have them create their own snowflakes, snowmen, wreaths or gingerbread men.
It’s not too late to get your own Christmas tree this year! Heading out to the woods or to a pre-cut tree farm can be a great tradition the whole family will enjoy each year.
We also found some cute ideas on Buzzfeed, including these:
- Add a page to a family scrapbook every year when everyone’s together
- Swap ugly sweaters among your family’s different generations
- Try a holiday-themed scavenger hunt (just make sure you have a prize for the winner!)
- Have everyone decorate their own place mats or spot on the table cloth
What are some of your favorite things to do as a family this time of year? Let us know your ideas!
