5 Learning Activities for Winter Break from Hoosier College & Career Academy

While learning is important, it’s equally essential for brain breaks from constant thinking and processing. To keep your student’s mind engaged while having fun, we’ve compiled a list of holiday activities designed to brighten both your spirits and your brain.

Learning Opportunities for Everyone

As you plan activities and family time, consider your favorite traditions and activities and try adding some new ones to the mix! Winter break is a great opportunity for family fun and relaxation, but there are plenty of ways to keep your mind active while still enjoying yourself. HCCA wants to help you keep the fun going with these ideas.

1. Host a Family Game Night! Many board and card games encourage teamwork, boost critical thinking and are just plain fun. Games can teach money management, probability, improve vocabulary and strengthen memory. With so many options to choose from, you can enjoy classics such as Monopoly, Scrabble, Yahtzee, chess, trivia games or 20 Questions. Or try something new, such as Skip-Bo, Mastermind, Apples to Apples, Minute to Win It games and more!

2. Nurture your creativity. Choose a hobby, craft or cooking project to enjoy as a family. Focus on activities that spark creativity and align with your family’s interests. Make cards or ornaments to hang on the tree or give as gifts. Try building a gingerbread house, baking cookies, making bread or preparing a special dinner to practice following steps and use math skills.

3. Explore your community. Winter break is the perfect time to explore your surroundings. Try that new restaurant you’ve been curious about, visit a park or zoo, and check out light displays, museums or other holiday events. Go ice skating, take a stroll in the snow or enjoy a holiday show with family and friends!

4. Catch up on a winter movie. Movies can lead to thoughtful discussions about characters, settings, themes, and traditions portrayed in a film. Just like with books, take time to analyze the messages and deeper meanings, and encourage everyone to share their insights and opinions to foster a lively conversation.

5. Discover your next good read. Reading is a fantastic way to improve comprehension, creativity, and imagination—and it doesn’t have to be a singular activity! One person can read aloud, or the entire family can take turns narrating a story. While reading, set time aside to discuss chapter, characters, and key moments in the book.

Play a Newly Invested Game

If you’re looking for something a little different this season, you might check out Flip 7. Created by a K12 teacher in Idaho who invents games, Flip 7 is up for Toy of the Year. Flip 7 is simple to pick up in seconds, so everyone, from kids to adults, can jump right in and start playing for instant fun. It’s also lightweight and portable, ideal for bringing along on trips, so you’re never without a fun game to play with family and friends!

Log into the K12 Skills Arcade

Need more ideas? HCCA wants you to keep the learning going—and the fun alive—over winter break with the K12 Skills Arcade! Engage your students while still having down time. The arcade will be available through Jan. 15, 2025. Visit the arcade for many learning ideas. Students can access the Winter Arcade through the OLS/D2L homepage.

HCCA encourages you to take a break this season and enjoy some fun. Many activities offer hidden learning opportunities, from math and creativity to money management, relationship building, problem-solving and more. This holiday season, make time to be together and savor the small moments. Additionally, explore learning options that allow you to focus on your passions outside of the classroom, whether it’s through creative projects, hobbies or real-world experiences that fuel your interests.

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