eCommons@AKU

IED, P Non-Scholarly Publications Publications (Newsletters, Reports, etc.)

2024

Winter vacation activity manual

Aisha Naz Ansari
Aga Khan University, [Link]@[Link]

Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta

Aga Khan University, [Link]@[Link]

Zarfin Saleem
Aga Khan University

Follow this and additional works at: [Link]

Part of the Early Childhood Education Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Elementary
Education Commons, Pre-Elementary, Early Childhood, Kindergarten Teacher Education Commons, and
the Secondary Education Commons

Recommended Citation
Ansari, Aisha Naz; Bhutta, Sadia Muzaffar; and Saleem, Zarfin, "Winter vacation activity manual" (2024).
IED, P Non-Scholarly Publications. Book 7.
[Link]
Winter Vacation Activity Manual
Aisha Naz Ansari
Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta
Zarfin Saleem
This resource is a compilation of
activities to help parents and
caregivers boost the holistic
development of children during and
beyond winter vacations.
 1

Early Grade
Activities
 Story Time with Character
1.1
Visualisation

It is an engaging activity that involves parent and

child in reading and exploring different characters
through stories.
Example: Reading ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’
by Eric Carle
1. Sit with your child and ask them to observe the
cover of the book.
2. Encourage them to describe what they see by
asking questions like, "What can you see in the
picture?" and "What color is it?"
3. Read the story to your child using expressive
intonations.
4. Create props for the main character to make
the story more engaging, such as a large
caterpillar for this story.
5. You can also draw some of the characters from
the story with your child to enhance
visualisation.
Story Time with Character
Visualisation

How will it benefit your child?

This activity will boost creativity and imagination

among children. It will also develop:
• Visualisation
• Problem solving skills
• Numeracy and literacy
• Socio-emotional Skills
1.2 Sorting and Matching

It is a hands-on activity to identify shapes. Kids

group objects by attributes like color or shape and
match similar items, enhancing cognitive abilities,
and promoting teamwork.

Example: Sorting and matching shapes by

colour and size

1. Put different shapes of various sizes and

colors in front of the child.
2. Ask your child to identify similarities among
the shapes.
3. Then, guide them to sort the shapes by color
and then by size.
Sorting and Matching

How will it benefit your child?

This activity will boost early representation and

problem solving among children. It will also boost:
• Cognition & memory
• Numeracy
• Visual perceptual skills
• Hand-eye coordination
1.3 Nature Walk and Talk

It involves exploring nature and discussing about

it. Children walk through a natural setting, noting
plants and animals, and then share their thoughts
while learning about ecosystems and
conservation.

Example: Exploring a nearby park

1. Take your child to the nearby park.

2. Let them feel, touch, and smell different things
in nature.
3. Talk about the environmental aspects that your
child observes, such as plants, flowers, grass,
trash bins, and garbage.
4. Ask probing questions related to what they are
exploring.
5. Allow them to explore freely and learn how to
care for the natural environment.
6. Finally, ask them how they felt in the park to
encourage self-expression.
Nature Walk and Talk

How will it benefit your child?

This activity will boost exploration, observation, and
expressive skills among children. It will also
develop:
• Cognition (curiosity, imagination)
• Gratitude
• Empathy
• Socio-emotional skill
• Family bonding
1.4 Play with Cardboard Boxes

It is creative, imaginative, and open-ended play.

Children can transform cardboard boxes into
anything they envision, such as forts, cars, or
imaginary creatures.

Example: Pretend Play

1. Give a cardboard box to the child and let them

imagine sailing a boat.
2. Ignite their inner explorer by encouraging
them to explore and ask probing questions
during their adventure. For example, ask,
"How does this place look through your
binoculars?"
3. Discuss with the child how they felt during the
exploration.
4. Allow them to explore different directions and
areas within the house.
Play with Cardboard Boxes

How will it benefit your child?

This hands-on activity promotes teamwork as

they collaborate on projects, enhances fine motor
skills through cutting and decorating, and
provides an opportunity for active play and
exploration. It will also develop:
• Imagination
• Self-direction
• Socio-emotional skill
• Literacy and numeracy
1.5 Molding Snow into Shapes

It is a fun and creative outdoor activity during

winter. Children use their hands to shape and mold
snow into various forms, such as snowballs,
sculptures, or creatures. It connects children with
nature.

Example: Making snowballs

1. Take your child outside when it is snowing.

2. Let them enjoy the snow with their siblings or
friends.
3. Encourage them to feel the snow to enhance
their sense of touch.
4. Ask them to make shapes or snowballs from
the snow.
5. After making snowballs, they can use them for
playful activities.
6. Finally, ask them how they felt while playing in
the snow.
Molding Snow into Shapes

How will it benefit your child?

This hands-on activity promotes fine motor skills,

creativity, and sensory exploration while fostering
teamwork and social interaction as they
collaborate on projects. It will also develop:
• Artistic skills
• Motor skills
• Confidence
• Cognition
• Socio-emotional skills
Children’s exposure to these engaging activities can
pave a way towards holistic development. These
activities promote critical thinking, environmental
awareness, and imaginative play, all while fostering
essential skills such as communication, collaboration,
and sensory exploration. By engaging in these hands-
on experiences, children not only enhance their
cognitive development but also cultivate a deeper
connection with the world around them.
 2

Primary Grade
Activities
 2.1 Listening To and Explaining Stories

It is an engaging activity to encourage active listening

and communication skills. Children listen to a story,
read aloud and then take turns explaining what they
heard in their own words.

Example: Listening to a story

1. Search for a story that attracts primary grade

children.
2. Look for an audio/video clip of that story and
construct some questions based on it.
3. Let the child listen to the story carefully.
4. Afterwards, discuss the story with the child
verbally.
5. Have them answer questions about the story.
6. Resolve any misconceptions related to the story, if
there are any.
7. Discuss their answers to the listening passage and
explain any incorrect responses.
Listening To and Explaining Stories

How will it benefit your child?

This helps practice comprehension, recall details, and
express thoughts clearly. By discussing the characters,
plot, and lessons from the story, students also develop
their critical thinking and storytelling abilities, making
reading a fun and interactive experience. This activity
will boost active listening and literacy skills in students.
It will further develop:
• Cognition
• Language (vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking)
• Creative skills
• Comprehension
• Confidence
 2.2 Shadow Play

It is a fun activity where children create shadow puppets

using their hands or cut-out shapes and a light source.
They can explore storytelling by projecting their
shadows on a wall, sparking their imagination and
creativity.

Example: Making your own shadow

1. Sit with the child and start making different shapes

with your hands to perform the shadow activity.
2. Create various animals, birds, and other creatures
and let the child guess what they are.
3. Also, make a story using shadows as props to boost
creativity in children.
4. Encourage them to make their own shadows and
then guess what they are.
5. Afterwards, have the child write a shadow story in
their own words.
Shadow Play

How will it benefit your child?

This activity encourages children to imagine and
explore creative ideas. It will also develop:
• Cognition
• Creativity
• Imagination
• Language
• Socio-emotional skills
 2.3 Crafting with Recycled Material
In this activity, kids can unleash their creativity by
transforming everyday recyclable items, like cardboard
boxes and plastic bottles, into new crafts. This activity
encourages resourcefulness and environmental
awareness while fostering artistic skills.

Example: Crafting a pen holder

1. Parents and children can search for different

materials that can be recycled to create a pen
holder. For example, a parent can take a plastic
bottle and cut it in half to use the bottom half as a
pen holder.
2. Afterwards, the child can decorate it using various
paints, ribbons, and colors, expressing their
creativity.
3. In the end, the child can use the pen holder to
organise their stationery.
Crafting with Recycled Material

How will it benefit your child?

This activity develops artistic skills and creativity in
students. It encourages students to be creative in
recycling different materials. Also, it will develop:
• Creative skills
• Artistic skills
• Cognition
• Smart working
• Time management
 2.4 Hide and Seek
It is a classic game that brings family members
together. Children take turns hiding and seeking,
promoting physical activity, problem-solving, and social
interaction while having lots of fun.

Example: Searching for a family member while

blindfolded

1. The parent covers their eyes and asks the child to

hide.
2. The parent will try to find the child while their eyes
are covered.
3. In the next round, the child will be blindfolded and
will search for the parent.
4. Afterwards, they can discuss what they felt while
blindfolded.
5. The parent can also relate this experience to the
lives of people who have impaired vision, helping
the child realise that eyesight is a blessing and
highlighting how those without sight manage to
live.
Hide and Seek

How will it benefit your child?

This is an enjoyable activity that helps in cognitive
development and imagination. This activity will
develop a sense of empathy and will also boost:
• Cognition
• Sympathy
• Problem solving
• Imagination
• Family bonding
 2.5 Making and Decorating a Snowman
In this winter-themed activity, children can build a
snowman, then decorate it with items like hats,
scarves, and buttons. This hands-on experience
promotes creativity and outdoor play during the winter
season.

Example: Making a snowman

1. Instruct the child to gather snow and start making a

big ball and a small ball.
2. Help them make the snowballs if they need
assistance in assembling the snowman.
3. Afterwards, let the child be creative in decorating
the snowman.
4. Finally, have fun by taking pictures and playing
with it.
Making and Decorating a Snowman
How will it benefit your child?
This is an enjoyable activity for children to unleash
their creativity with limited resources. It enhances
the sense of feel in children and will also develop:
• Cognition
• Artistic skills
• Social skills
• Problem solving skills
• Recreational skills
Engaging children in these activities helps them to
achieve their developmental milestones. These
activities not only enhance their imaginative skills and
promote teamwork but also foster environmental
awareness and physical activity. By participating in
these fun and educational experiences, children can
develop important life skills while creating lasting
memories with their families.
 3

Middle Grade
Activities
 3.1 Letter Writing
This is a writing activity where parent and child can sit
together, discussing what they will write in letter and to
whom this letter will be written. Lastly, they can read it
out loud and/or deliver it to friends or relatives.

Example: Writing a letter to your friend

1. Discuss with the child how to write a letter.

2. Afterwards, highlight what they would like to add in
the letter.
3. Later on, both will take a piece of paper and pencil
and start writing letters to their friends.
4. After completing the letter, both (parent and child)
will share their letters with each other.
5. Lastly, both can deliver letters to their friends to
experience a more “traditional” method of
communication.
Letter Writing

How will it benefit your child?

This activity helps children learn to express
themselves in writing. It will enhance their
communication skills. It will also develop:
• Cognition
• Creativity
• Literacy
• Expression
• Diverse vocabulary
 3.2 Sorting Winter Clothes
In this activity, children can help their parents in
assembling and organising winter clothes. This can
enhance children’s organisational skills. Initially,
parents can demonstrate how to fold clothes and then
let the child fold it.

Example: Folding and putting clothes in the

cupboard

1. Instruct the child to take out all winter clothes from

the basket.
2. Walk them through the steps involving in folding
the clothes.
3. Parent and child both can fold clothes together and
put them in a basket
4. Help them take the basket to the cupboard and put
it inside.
5. Keep practicing, to help your child become
independent in organising their cupboard.
Sorting Winter Clothes
How will it benefit your child?
This activity can help engage children in household
chores and make them organised. It will also give a
great chance to develop positive bond among child
and parent. It will also develop:
• Sense of identifying materials
• Positive relation with parent
• Empathy and responsibility
 3.3 Decorating the Home

Decorating our homes helps channel creativity and

creates a sense of responsibility in children. With the
help of parents and siblings, children can make their
home or room creative and clean.

Example: Decorate a room using crafts

1. Parent and child generate ideas about how to

decorate the room.
2. After developing a consensus, they decide what
and how to decorate children’s room.
3. They make some crafts using low-cost materials
(bottles, cartons, etc.).
4. Afterwards, they clean the room and start hanging
different materials in it.
5. Lastly, they can add some flowers and plants for
a soothing environment.
Decorating the Home

How will it benefit your child?

This activity can help engage children in household
chores and make them organised. It will also
develop a sense of responsibility and make them
creative. It will also develop:
• Empathy
• Management skills
• Time management
• Positive relation with parent and siblings
 3.4 Badminton

It is an outdoor activity that engages children in a

natural environment. This can be played with parents
or friends to improve physical and mental well being.

Example: Playing badminton with friends

1. Parents can take child to a near by park with their

friends or siblings.
2. Let them know how this game can be played,
parent explains all the rules.
3. Let the games begin!
4. Motivate them and ensure that they are playing a
fair game.
5. Teach them the importance of being a
“good sport” whether they win or lose.
Badminton
How will it benefit your child?
This activity can help engage children in outdoor
games which is important for their physical
development. It will give a good exposure of natural
environment. It will also develop:
• Cognition
• Confidence
• Socio-emotional skills
• Family bonding
 3.5 Making a Snowhouse with a Snowman

This is an outdoor activity where children can play with

either their family or friends and be creative in making
different things from snow. It will enhance social
interaction among children.

Example: Crafting with snow

1. First, take your child to the snow with their friends

or siblings.
2. Let the child feel it, touch it and express their
excitement.
3. With them make a simple house from snow and
also a snow man.
4. Give them instructions so that they can do it step
by step.
5. Decorate both snow man and house with different
materials.
6. Lastly, play with it and enjoy.
Making a Snowhouse with a Snowman

How will it benefit your child?

This activity can help engage children in outdoor
games which is important for their physical
development. It gives exposure to the natural
environment and help them adapt in it. It will also
develop:
• Artistic skills
• Creative skills
• Adaptation
• Gratitude
• Socio-emotional skills
These activities are beneficial for middle-grade
students, helping them develop both academically and
socially through the practice of household chores. By
engaging in these tasks, children can become more
independent. Additionally, this experience can alter
their perception of various household responsibilities.
They will learn to adapt and work effectively in different
situations and conditions.
 4

Secondary Grade
Activities
 4.1 Poetry Writing
Encourage students to express their thoughts and
feelings through poetry. This activity allows them to
explore different styles and themes. Students can
share their poems in a class reading or compile them
into a winter-themed anthology.

Example: Writing poem on climate change

1. Help your child can search for different topics on

which poem can be written.
2. Then brainstorm the selected topic, for example
climate change is taken as a topic.
3. Then begin writing information related to the topic
and place it in an appealing order.
4. Make it interesting by using synonyms of the
words, rhyming and connections.
5. Present it in front of family or at school.
Poetry Writing

How will it benefit your child?

This activity can help engage children in effective
writing and give them the opportunity to explore and
learn about different topics. Children also learn to
sequence the content in a poem. It will also develop:
• Diverse ideas and thoughts
• Writing skills
• Expression
• Diverse vocabulary
• Confidence
 4.2 Photography
Students can capture the beauty of winter through
photography. This activity teaches them about
composition, lighting, and storytelling through images.
They can create a photo journal or a digital slideshow
showcasing their favorite winter scenes, encouraging
them to see the world from a new perspective.

Example: Wildlife/Nature photography

1. Take the child to visit a nearby park so as to

observe the local wildlife.
2. Help them capture images of interesting creatures
or scenes, by providing any guidance needed.
3. After they capture the photographs, teach them to
edit the pictures.
4. Encourage them to describe their pictures so as to
improve word choice and vocabulary.
Photography
How will it benefit your child?
This activity can help engage children digitally. It
also develops social interaction in children.
Additionally, it is an opportunity for students to enjoy
capturing moments. It will also develop:
• Cognition
• Creative skills
• Observation skills
• Expression
• Socio-emotional skills
 4.3 Spending time with Grandparents
Organising visits with grandparents help strengthen
family bonds and allows children to learn from the
experiences of the older generation. Students can
engage in conversations, listen to stories, and gain
insights into family history, fostering appreciation for
their heritage.

Example: Spending time with grandparents

1. Ask about significant past events and challenges,

and how they coped with each.
2. Inquire about their childhood and the lives of their
parents.
3. Explore fashion trends from their youth.
4. Discuss how they entertained themselves growing
up.
5. Gain insights into their experiences and struggles.
6. Cook a favourite family recipe together.
7. Learn traditional skills, such as knitting.
Guiding Questions to ask Grandparents
1. Please tell me about your experience of a difficult
situation?
2. How did you feel about it?
3. How did you cope with it?
4. What challenges did you face in coping with it?
5. What advice would you give me about coping
with challenges?

How will it benefit your child?

This activity can help children learn about past
experiences of grandparents. Children can also learn
to cope up with different challenges. By probing
questions to the grandparents, they will learn the
effective skill of questioning. It will also develop:
• Empathy
• Positive relation
• Family bonding
• Socio-emotional skills
 4.4 Charity
Encourage students to give back to their community by
participating in a charity project. They can organise a
food drive, volunteer at a local shelter, or create care
packages for those in need. This activity teaches
empathy and the importance of helping others,
reinforcing the spirit of giving during the winter season.

Example: Donating toys and books

1. Discuss with the child regarding charity and ask

them to identify things that they can donate to
under privileged people.
2. Teach them of generosity and donating things to
others.
3. Accompany them to shelters and homes where
they can donate some of their possessions.
4. Ask them to write a reflection on how they felt
about it.
Charity

How will it benefit your child?

This activity can help engage children in social
work. It brings a sense of care for others. It will
also develop:
• Empathy
• Love and care
• Socio-emotional skills
 4.5 Experimenting with Snow

Children can engage in fun, scientific experiments

related to snow and the winter weather. They can
observe how snow melts, explore the properties of ice,
or even create their own snowflakes using simple
materials. This hands-on activity combines science with
creativity, making learning enjoyable.

Example: Exploring heat and snow

1. Let the child make two snowmen.

2. Afterwards, cover one snowman with a coat.
3. Children will discover that the one with the coat will
melt first.
4. Help them investigate the reason for melting.
5. Assist them in rationalising their justification using
the concept of heat and temperature.
6. In this way, they can explore science from their daily
life.
Experimenting with Snow

How will it benefit your child?

This activity can help engage children in
experimenting with scientific methods. It can also
make them enthusiastic to explore more and they
can learn the art of giving rationale to various
activities. It will develop:
• Cognition
• Reasoning
• Creative thinking
• Relating science with real-life
Children of secondary grades learn different morals
and skills through these activities. Through all this, they
can grasp knowledge as well as awareness of what is
good and bad for them and others. Moreover, they
learn productive skills which help them excel in their
future. It also induces a sense of care and empathy in
them.
 Conclusion
This guide provides activities that can aid fun with
learning for students of different grade levels. We hope
that it will enhance their winter vacation experiences
and give them a fresh academic start after the
holidays.