Boomeryearbook’s Survival Guide for Christmas With Kids

by Katie for BoomerYearbook.com, December, 2008 - Aside from the period of time when the kids are opening their presents, and the 24-hour period when they are playing with them before they get bored, the rest of Christmas can be a challenge for parents and for grandparents in terms of keeping the younger generation occupied - what can you do to entertain them over the Christmas period?

If energy is an element of vitality your kids always have an oversupply of until asked to do something, then it looks like you’re in for a tough time while they’re at home for the holidays! We’ve put together some ideas for you to try and keep the whole family entertained.

Party Games:

Switch off the TV and use your imagination for amusement.  Physically getting off the sofa and engaging in an activity together with your family will be much more stimulating than nodding off and waking up covered in post-beer dribble and surrounded by lethargic kids. 

Here are some fun games to try, whatever age you are:

Whose shadow is this?

Hang a white sheet in a doorway. One of the players sits down on the chair facing the sheet.  At the opposite side of the room there is a lamp on a tale. All the players walk between the lamp and the sheet in turn.  The guesser must try to identify the others by their shadows as they walk past.  The players try to change their shadows.  The player who is recognized becomes the guesser.

Zombie:

Two pairs participate in this game.   Each pair stands hand in hand with their adjoining hands tied together.  With their free hands (one with the right hand and other with the left one) they must wrap up the package, bind the rope around it and tie it in a bow.  The pair which finishes the task the first is the winner.

Water carriers:

Two players compete in this game. For each player there is a chair with a bowl of water and a spoon on it.  A few steps away there are two more chairs with an empty glass on each of them.  The object of the player is to fill the empty glass with water as soon as possible.  The player who is the first to do it is the winner.

Pin head (not suitable for young children)

Each player is given a paper cap with the needle at its top.  The object is to burst as many balloons as possible with the half of the needle on the cap.

Pass the Lemon:

Two teams line up opposite each other and the team member at the front of the line has to pass a lemon to the second in lie.   The catch is that no hands are allowed and the lemon must be passed from under the chin.  The person who receives the lemons has to grab it under their chin too.  The lemon proceeds down the line of players until the end, and the last in line runs to the front (with the lemon still under their chin) and the process starts again.  The winning team is the first to pass the lemon (without touching it with their hands) through all players, with each player having a turn at the front of the line.  This game is guaranteed to give some real laughs!

You should find that once the family gets involved, everyone has more energy than they thought they had. And at least it’s a good way to work off the Christmas dinner!!

Want more helpful tips on how to de-stress this holiday? Come join boomeryearbook.com

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