20 December 2022
With the holiday falling on a Sunday, many people who would otherwise be going to work on Monday, December 26, will find themselves with a free day. Here are some things to think about doing.
Depending on the weather, take a hike. The Finger Lakes area has so much to offer in terms of nature walks, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, etc. that you should take advantage at every opportunity.
The George Eastman Museum, 900 East Avenue, Rochester, will have its annual Gingerbread Display, Sweet Creations, available. Check out https://www.eastman.org/.
Also in Rochester, the RMSC Museum and Science Center, 657 East Avenue, has a great lineup of hands-on activities which are included in the price of general admission. If you have kids that are at all interested in STEM projects, this is for you.
- Winter Scavenger Hunt (December 26) where the kids have free reign through the facility to find winter animals. Prizes awarded.
- Build, test, and run robotic snow plows.
- Watch a snowstorm in a jar at the RMSC weather station
Events run through January 1 from 11:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m. daily
Boxing Day is a pseudo holiday in England and many Commonwealth countries. One speculation on how the event got its name is that it was this day that the wealthy gave donations to their servants or those less fortunate. Turn this into a 21st Century experience by having your children go through toys that they no longer enjoy or have outgrown, especially if there were a number of upgrades under the tree this year. Then you can donate the gently-used items, including clothing, to those in need. Have the kids come along to the drop off to see how things work.
Another charitable undertaking would be to donate even an hour of time to a soup kitchen or go to a nearby assisted care facility and talk to the residents.
Drag out the photo album. Look at wedding pictures and talk about some of the people in the shots. Compare hair styles and fashions. Talk about the events of that special day. Find your pictures from summer activities or vacations. Discuss the best parts and the worst parts and the funniest. Have the kids make up stories about what could have happened.
Put on swim suits and let the kids splash around in the tub, making believe they are back in the summer time.
Spread blankets on the living room floor and have an indoor picnic. Then turn those blankets into a tent and let the kids “camp in” on the very same floor. Use solar lanterns and flashlights and tell ghost stories. This might be a good time for a sleep over to give other parents a free day. They can reciprocate over the New Year’s weekend.
Looking for indoor exercise? Try bowling. Call ahead and find out the availability of lanes and the best hours for novices. They may have limited hours during the holidays or special events for league activities.
Give your kids manis or pedis. Massage their legs and feet and enjoy the experience. Dig out the champagne flutes and fill them with gingerale and let them feel like grown ups.
Crafting is always a fun time. Make friendship bracelets or 2023 calendars.
Check out https://kidpass.com/ for more ideas.
