Educational Things to Do Over Break: How to Keep Your Kid Learning

With the holidays fast approaching, it's easy to shut off from everything school-related completely. We get it; no one wants to spend their holiday break behind a textbook. Your kid likely plans to play in the snow, spend time with friends, or maybe stay inside the house and play their favorite video games. Who can blame them?

Now, imagine if there was a way for them to enjoy all those fun activities and keep their mind sharp simultaneously. With a few creative ideas, they can challenge their brain over break in ways that feel anything but school-like. 

Join Varsity Tutors as we discuss how to make learning fun during this year's winter break, whether you're the parent of an elementary, middle, or high school student. Ensure the transition back to school is seamless with these winter break activities.

Fun Activities for Elementary Students

Engage younger students with playful learning experiences that also support key foundational skills.

If you have a kiddo at the elementary school level, it's paramount that you explore new ways to keep them excited about learning. At this stage in their learning journey, your child is likely still learning foundational concepts and skills that can easily be lost if not practiced consistently. Kids love hands-on activities, especially ones they can enjoy with the whole family. Here are some fun ways to keep little ones interested in school during break time:

Creative Storytelling Time

An excellent way to get your kids thinking independently is to encourage them to create holiday stories with illustrations or puppets. Use prompts like, "What would a snowman's day look like?" to get their gears turning. Have them write, draw, or act out the scenario and review with them to correct any mistakes.

Having children come up with stories on their own boosts imagination, vocabulary, and sequencing skills.

Relate Science Concepts to Real-Life

It's never a bad time for a fun science experiment. During this year's break, organize a hands-on activity like making slime, growing crystals, or observing the changes in nature. (i.e. how the snow melts). These experiments teach kids the basics of science while providing them with an exciting piece of art to showcase once they're done.

Board Game and Puzzles

This is the perfect time to dive into the board game cabinet and choose a game that will challenge your kid. Think about games that require strategy and planning, such as Scrabble Jr., Catan Jr., or Connect 4. These simple games help with counting, vocabulary, and critical thinking, but more importantly, they're a blast for the whole family!

Educational Movie Night

Who doesn't love a good movie night? This winter break, set aside time to watch a fun, educational film that will keep your kid entertained and teach them valuable lessons along the way. Want to teach your kid about marine life? Throw on Finding Nemo. Want to teach them about human emotions and thoughts? Pop on Inside Out.

These types of films help younger students connect what they watch with real-world knowledge, enhancing their comprehension and retention.

Activities for Middle Schoolers Over the Holidays

Offer up activities that are a little more independent and challenge developing critical thinking and curiosity.

Middle schoolers are at a unique stage where curiosity and independence are on the rise, and learning can be made both fun and challenging. During holiday breaks, it’s easy for skills to fade if they aren’t practiced regularly. Luckily, there are plenty of activities that allow middle schoolers to explore new ideas, build critical thinking skills, and keep their minds active—all while enjoying their time off.

Holiday Book Club with Friends

The average middle schooler probably isn't looking to read a book over break. Add friends to the equation, and it suddenly becomes much more appealing. It quickly becomes a social activity rather than a chore. Encourage your middle schooler to set up a virtual or in-person book club with a few friends where they read the same book and discuss it together. This could include popular middle-grade books that keep them engaged while helping build comprehension and social skills through discussion.

DIY Science Experiments or Crafts

Middle schoolers love hands-on projects, so encourage them to try out fun DIY science experiments or holiday crafts. Activities like making bath bombs, building a mini volcano, or designing holiday cards combine creativity with learning. These projects enhance their critical thinking and creativity while giving them a tangible result to be proud of.

Trivia and Brain Teasers

Looking for a way to spend quality time with your kid while keeping their mind sharp? Host a family trivia night or challenge them with fun brain teasers. Online apps like Sporcle and TriviaPlaza are free and easy to use, making them super convenient to play.

Up for a little friendly competition? Divvy out points for every question answered correctly, and whoever has the most points in the family by the end wins! Trivia is a fantastic way to boost memory, quick thinking, and apply knowledge in an entertaining setting.

Journaling and Personal Reflection

Encourage your middle schooler to keep a journal over the holiday break. They can document their thoughts, goals, and holiday experiences or simply doodle and write freely. Journaling not only improves their writing skills but also encourages introspection and helps them develop a habit of self-expression.

How High Schoolers Can Stay Busy Over Break

These educational activities support high school students’ independence and academic goals without feeling like extra assignments.

You might think, don't high schoolers have enough on their plate already? Between exam prep and the college application process, don't they deserve a break more than anyone? This is true to an extent, but holiday breaks are still a valuable time to unwind while sharpening essential skills.

At this stage, activities that balance personal growth, academic preparation, and creativity can help keep students’ minds engaged without feeling like extra assignments. Let's explore:

Podcast or Audiobook Exploration

Podcasts and audiobooks are awesome ways for high schoolers to stay informed about subjects they're interested in without feeling like studying. The best part? They can throw them on in the background while they do other things, like working out, going for a walk, and drawing!

Encourage your kids to find material that explores science, history, personal development, or other important lessons for educational growth. This type of listening practice helps build comprehension and expands their knowledge in a relaxed, enjoyable way.

Start a Small Personal Project or Hobby

Breaks are ideal for high schoolers to start a new hobby or small personal project, like learning a new language, starting a blog, or picking up a musical instrument. It doesn't have to be anything serious, and they don't need to become masters in a couple of short weeks. Simply exploring new hobbies and interests is a great way to keep the brain engaged.

These hobbies allow them to develop new skills, stay productive, and explore their passions without academic pressure.

SAT/ACT Practice Through Games

With exams on the horizon, high schoolers can use SAT or ACT prep games to stay sharp. Many online platforms offer prep in the form of interactive quizzes and games, which can make studying feel less overwhelming. This approach helps them build confidence and stay prepared without the intensity of traditional study sessions.

Volunteer Work or Community Outreach

Volunteering is an excellent way for high school students to give back while developing life skills. Whether they assist at a local shelter, participate in virtual community service projects, or work with a school club, volunteering builds empathy and community awareness—and can even add to their college applications with meaningful experience.

Why Staying Mentally Active Over Break Matters

So, why is it important that students continue to challenge their brains over break? Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a "break"? Not necessarily.

More than anything, keeping young minds engaged over the holiday break ensures they return to school ready to pick up where they left off. We've all experienced the dread of getting in the "back to school" mindset: Waking up early, learning new concepts, completing homework, etc. It can be brutal to shift away from break mode. But by challenging your education and sharpening your skills through fun and educational activities, you can ensure you're prepared for the return to school.

As you're thinking of things to do over winter break this year, remember these fun and simple activities for students of all levels.

Looking for other educational resources and tips? Check out the Varsity Tutors Playbook for insights on parenting, continuing education, school admissions, and more!