winter break survival: best activities from (cool) progeny in 2012

Day one down. Six more to go until school is back in session. How will you keep the kiddos busy? We’ve got a few ideas — a round up of some of our most popular {non-holiday} activity posts of 2012! You can also check out this list of ideas compiled from blogs and other websites we love. Can’t wait to show you what’s in store for 2013!

Make Your Own Balloon Car

To get into the experimenting spirit, Jen  put together a super fun science and engineering project you and the kids can do at home: Balloon Racers There’s lots of flexibility in this project for kids to experiment, source materials and play. She shoes you what we used, but please feel free to embellish, improve, or experiment with other materials

Shaving Cream Bathtub Paint

I can’t take credit for this idea. I saw it on Pinterest originally, although I can’t remember where. Best part is you have all of the ingredients for this mom magic around the house. You’ll need shaving cream, plastic containers, paint brushes and food coloring. Combine, mix and paint. Easy peasy. Don’t worry — a few drops of food coloring may turn the bathtub water green, but your kid won’t turn coloriffic.

Get Busy with Busy Bags

Janelle is part of an amazing mom’s group and shared this fun activity! Busy bags are pretty self-explanatory—each bag is filled with one activity. She shares a round-up of what to include in the bags.

Bring Back Family Game Night

Lets face it, we are all busy. Who has time for a game, right? Think again. Game nights may be just what the doctor ordered. In a time where kids are over-scheduled and parents are glued to their smart phones {{guilty as charged}}, gathering around a table (or laying on the floor) is more important than ever. Claudia shares tips and her favorite games.

Make a Cereal Box Notebook

Cereal box notebooks are a fun way to upcycle and keep the kiddos busy!  You can use any box you have (crackers, spaghetti, cereal, sodas, etc). They are so fun and easy to make and would make a great addition to a birthday party favor bag. Head out to your recycling bin and Laura shows you how to get started.

Grab Soup and a Sandwich at Belvedere Square Market — and explore the market, too!

If you have never been to Belvedere Market, home to Baltimore’s famous Atwater’s Ploughboy’s Kitchen, think European-style fresh market. Baked breads, gourmet cheeses, bowls of hearty soups, very special sandwiches, a sushi bar, smoothies and fresh pressed juices, a bustling Italian market, free trade coffee AND mouthwatering treats for the whole family. Angela shares her favorite market finds.

Make the BEST Spaghetti and Meatballs EVER

Kids love helping in the kitchen — and everyone, from your 3 year old to your 16 year old — can help roll meatballs. Hands down this is our fav spaghetti and meatballs recipe. It’ll be a crowd please all around!

Update Your Playlist with these Pandora-tastic Bands

Check out Mary Alice’s favorite Pandora stations for kids, update your playlist on that new smart device, and get your dance party on.

Author Description

heather

Heather is editor-in-chief of (cool) progeny. When not scouting the best in everything kid and family, you'll probably find her running The Weisse Group or adventuring around town with her daughter (the Bug) and husband. Can be won over with a good glass of wine or something homemade. Addicted to Pinterest. Only pretends to know what she's doing with her SLR, even though she's got a fantastic lens on it. Thankful it does most of the work for her.