Once school is out, stay busy during winter break
As the holidays approach, most teens are looking forward to a break from studying and going to class. Winter break means one thing: School’s out. But what are they going to do when they’re home from school? Avoid the familiar phrase “I’m bored” this winter break by filling it with interesting and engaging activities for teens.
Earn money
With extra time on their hands, teens can take advantage of being out of school by getting a part-time job. During the holiday season, most retailers will temporarily expand their staff to keep up with shopper demand and the extra people flooding stores. As a first job, seasonal positions are a great way for teens to experience a workplace environment and learn the value of earning their own money.
Beyond the mall, there are plenty of places a teen can earn money in the community during winter break. With everyone out of school, parents are bound to need help babysitting. Teens could pick up a few extra nights of babysitting to earn some extra cash. The snow might also offer an opportunity to score a few bucks through shoveling services.
Get ahead
Depending on the school, finals week is either before or after winter break. For students who still have finals looming after the holiday break, the free time is the perfect chance to study hard and do well. If there are final projects due at the end of the semester, use winter break to catch up on work or even get ahead on upcoming assignments. High school students who are preparing for college entrance exams can use winter break as a tutoring or study period.
If finals are done and there isn’t much homework or studying to do, starting a new book with friends or family can be an engaging way to learn away from school. Book clubs are a great way to introduce new ideas to a teen and continue education outside of the classroom. Seniors who are applying for college can also spend the winter break searching and applying for scholarships that could help them pay for college. Many scholarships require essays that could be written during this time.
Holiday preparation
The whole reason school is out is so families can spend time together and observe the holidays. Teens can be great helpers preparing for various meals and parties. Families could spend time together baking holiday desserts, decorating the home or shopping together for gifts. Making these holiday preparations family affairs will keep teens busy and give everyone more time together.
Movie marathon
When it’s cold outside, more time will be spent indoors. While spending every waking moment in front of the television is not good for anyone, watching a movie with friend can be an inexpensive night of entertainment. During winter break, teens could host a movie marathon and invite over their friends to watch some favorite films. Choosing a holiday classic or comedy will put everyone in good spirits.
Creative project
Depending on interest, teens can spend their winter break starting and finishing a creative project. A teen who really loves theater could spend their time writing and making a movie. A designer could construct new outfits or a writer could complete a short story. With school, sports and clubs, teens are usually pretty busy, so finding the time to complete a creative project can be hard to come by. Using winter break to finish something will be a great achievement and play into their hobbies. Pick up some craft supplies before the break starts for painting, knitting or writing.
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