Keep Your Child Active During Winter Break

Winter break is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, connect, and create meaningful moments together as a family. With a change in routine and more time at home, it can also be the perfect time to explore simple, engaging activities that support learning, movement, and joy, without added pressure. We are sharing a few simple activities you can do with your child over winter break using household items or inexpensive materials. Even when school routines change, regular movement and practice at home can help children with neurological and motor disabilities build strength, coordination, and confidence. Each idea can be adjusted to fit your child’s needs, and we hope you will try one or two during the break. These activity ideas are easy to do at home, adaptable for different abilities, and designed to help families stay connected, active, and inspired throughout the break.

A holiday sensory bin, best for ages 1-10, is a fun way to keep hands and bodies engaged while exploring different textures. Parents can create a bin using rice, flour, lentils, sand, pebbles, or water, then add festive items like cotton balls, ornaments, and snowflakes. Children can participate in different positions that match their goals, such as lying on a wedge, sitting on the floor or at a table, or standing in a stander. This activity supports fine motor skills through grasping, scooping, and releasing, while also practicing gross motor skills like sitting balance, standing tolerance, and head control.

Setting the table can be a great activity for older children, teens, and adults. You can invite your child to help place plates, napkins, and utensils at each seat, or to carry light items like cups or folded napkins. Breaking the task into small steps, such as counting how many of each item is needed or matching each place setting, can make it more manageable. This activity can support standing tolerance, reaching, grasping, and coordination, while also building independence, attention to detail, and a sense of responsibility as part of the family routine.

A simple “follow the leader” movement game can work for almost any age and ability level. You can choose a few gentle movements that match your child’s skills, such as reaching up, tapping knees, clapping hands, turning side to side, or taking a few supported steps. Do each movement together in a slow, steady rhythm, and invite your child to copy you or take turns being the leader. This kind of activity can support coordination, balance, attention, and body awareness, and it also provides a fun way for families to connect during winter break.

Holiday baking is another fun activity that can be adapted for all ages. You can invite your child to help with simple steps, such as pouring ingredients, measuring, mixing, stirring, or decorating cookies. Hand-over-hand support can be used if needed, and each task can be broken into short, easy steps. Baking supports fine motor skills through grasping and stirring, as well as bilateral coordination when using both hands. It can also encourage standing at the counter, moving between spaces, making choices, and sharing special time as a family.

No matter what winter break looks like for your family, even if you are traveling, you can still build movement into the day in small, encouraging moments. Some activities require nothing more than a supportive parent and a little time. Consistency helps skills grow, so celebrate the little wins and keep it simple. Happy Holidays from all of us at CECO! If you would like help choosing activities that match your child’s goals, we are here for you. Learn more at www.ceco.org.