School Break in Winter

With the Christmas holidays approaching, your friends might be talking about all the ways you can keep busy during the holidays. Whilst you might enjoy a break from the school routine, it comes with a change to routine, meaning fewer connections with friends and the trusted adults you meet at school. It can also mean spending more time with family. The information below is adapted from the Kooth website.

Some Ideas to Keep You Busy

Scrapbooking

Creating a scrapbook, photo album or journalling can be a great way to reflect on the year and record your favourite memories, as we understand that a lot can change in a year. These types of activities are a nice way to keep track of everything.
It can also help to look back in a few years. There are no rules on how to create these projects; they can include anything you like, such as:

  • Photographs
  • Diary entries
  • Memories from days out
  • Activities you have done throughout the year

Create a Treasure Hunt

Get people together and create a treasure hunt around the house or out in nature. It could involve a map or some clues and even a prize or two.
This can be themed and a chance to let your imagination run wild.

Update Your Music

It’s a great opportunity to refresh your playlist or find some new music. You can create playlists for different moods and situations — this all takes time, but the winter break is a great opportunity to do these types of tasks.

For help with this, you can visit the Kooth website, and their mini-activity on creating a good mood playlist will provide you with helpful hints and tips. Music can be beneficial for our well-being in many ways; it connects us, changes our mood and gives us a creative outlet.
You could even create a Christmas playlist to get you into the festive spirit.

Have a think… What’s your favourite Christmas song?

Reflect on Your Year

The end of the year is a great opportunity to reflect on your goals and achievements. The end of one year and the start of a new one, is a great chance for reflection.

You might want to set yourself some goals for next year and think back to the progress you have made this year. But remember:

  • Achievements and goals come in all shapes and sizes
  • It’s not just the huge milestones or learning new skills
  • Any achievement, no matter the size, is something to celebrate

Make Your Own Movie

Do you love films, love to take photographs or videos? Ever wondered what type of movie you would like your favourite actor/actress or superhero to star in?

You could spend this holiday creating a draft of your own movie this winter break — it could even star you. This can involve:

  • A storyline
  • Scripts
  • Character building
  • Outfits
  • Soundtracks

You can do this alone or include friends and family. You might even want to be brave and film it. It’s a great way to get creative and stay connected with others.
It’s a project that you can do in small parts; you don’t have to do it all at once.

Start a New Hobbie

With spare time on your hands, it’s a great opportunity to start a new hobby. You could try:

  • Baking
  • Making or adapting your clothes (get permission!)
  • Creative writing
  • Learning a language
  • Photography
  • Drawing
  • Flower pressing

The possibilities are endless.

Other Ideas for the Winter Break

The possibilities this winter break are endless, and a chance to do things you might not always get the time to do, such as:

  • Playing board games
  • Building a sofa den to watch a movie
  • Making holiday cards
  • Listening to inspiring podcasts and audiobooks
  • Writing an article for Kooth magazine (details can be found on their website)

A Reminder About Support

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the festive season can be difficult for many. It changes our routines; we might spend time with family or miss spending time with our friends or trusted adults.

Remember, whatever you’re feeling, there is support available.

Kooth has festive opening times, and support is just a click away.
To contact Kooth, visit Home – Kooth or complete our questionnaire to match to this service and others.