'Tis The Season For Holiday Break: Keeping the Kids Busy

"Practice makes perfect" was a popular phrase when I was growing up. I heard it from coaches and in class. While practice doesn't really make perfect, it does keep our minds and bodies in shape. Whether you're taking a few months off from the gym or enjoying a holiday break from school, the lack of regular activity and challenge can dull your, or your child's, abilities.

are on a holiday break right now, which means my son, Johnny, is home for two full weeks. We all need to recharge every once in a while, and making sure our kids have a chance to unwind during this schooling intermission is important.

However, keeping them on their toes a little bit during this vacation can help ensure a smooth transition back into a full-time class load in January. Here's a few ideas to do just that:

Gifts = bargaining power

New gifts and toys from the holiday can be a pretty intense motivator for my son, and I am in no way against using that incentive to my advantage. Is there a chore that often gets slacked on during vacation? Try exchanging time with the gifts your child unwrapped over the holiday to get it done now. I know if Johnny gets the comics he was looking at from or the illusions from this Christmas, I won't have to tell him to pick up his dirty clothes off of the floor that second or third time — at least, not for a couple of weeks.

Snowy projects

Build a snowman. A few winters ago, my son and I made a snowman named Snowbo Jones. He was about 4 feet tall, and he had a beard of broken charcoal we bought from . Working together with our kids on projects such as this encourages teamwork, problem-solving and creativity — all of which are skills worked on a great deal in school. Doing projects with your children on vacation allows for some extra bonding time as well.

Socializing away from school

A very important aspect of school is socialization. Children are becoming members of a community, a functioning public, learning the rules of interaction and cooperation. A simple way to access this type of situation while away from school is through family parties. A flock of kids at a family gathering may seem like a tiny angry mob to adults, but that little group is allowing each child to reinforce socializing skills. Even seeing a friend or two from school during break can be a great idea. Host some friends to play in the snow, and maybe Mom or Dad can take the kids and friends out for lunch at for Sloppy Joe Mondays.

A cheap workbook can keep kids sharp

This one may seem less fun, but even a little time each day spent with an inexpensive, age-appropriate workbook can make returning to school easier. You can find these workbooks at for $1.