slides: Family Matters: 12 Ways to Keep Kids Busy Over Break

Play

Start with the basics.

Rediscover the creative play right at home, including toys they've got right around the house. Pick one from Kidoinfo's Top 10 Favorite Toys for Kids. (Free / Cheap)

Crafts

Host a crafternoon.

Have kids (and parent) bring a shoebox filled with stickers, magazines, ribbons, rubber stamps, glue sticks and scissors. (Crafty ideas: Make books, paper bead necklaces, collage bookmarks, puppets, treasure box, and more.) (Free / Cheap)

Games

Plan a game night.

Pull out the non-electronic board games or playing cards. Try Monopoly, Scrabble, Go-Fish, Twister or Chinese Checkers. (Free / Cheap)

Explore

Break away.

Some of the best exploration is right around the corner, and vacation is a perfect time to make an expedition. Book a Rhode Trip. Visit a new library with your children. (Free / Cheap)

Zoo

Animal Power.

See what the animals are doing this time of year at Roger Williams Park Zoo. (half-price admission)*

* Get passes from the library.

Snow

Snow Fun.

Read the Biggest, Best Snowman; then if we are lucky enough to have snow outside, build the biggest, best snowman ever. Find more winter book ideas here. (Free / Cheap)

Explore

Explore your city.

Hop on a bus just for the fun of it, take a stroll through Federal Hill and have hot cocoa at Pastiche, play at Providence Children's Museum, or discover a new park/playground.

Explore II

All aboard.

Take the commuter train to Boston. Plan a trip to the Museum of Science or Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to see the latest exhibit or check out the regular collection.

Movies

Watch a classic.

Check out old movies or TV shows from your local library or rent from ACME Video on Brook Street in Providence. Stay in your PJs all day, eat popcorn and watch Red Balloon, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Singing in the Rain, The Muppets or Charlie Chaplin. (Free / Cheap)

Build

Building Blocks.

Build a castle, city or rocket ship using all of your Legos. Or get a gang together for Lego Party. (Free / Cheap)

Hike

Take a hike.

Bundle up and head out on a winter hike. Explore a wildlife refuge. If we get snow, try it with snowshoes. (Free / Cheap)

Play (Somewhere Else!)

Make free time.

Set up a playdate swap with a friend. (Free / Cheap)

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