Jingle All the Way

The joys of the holiday season!

It can be the best days of your lives but, again, it can get pretty hectic; shopping, wrapping gifts, decorating, attending holiday events. Trying to take time for yourself, your spouse and your children can be a challenge. Believe me, I’m not a procrastinator but there are times when I just want to sit back and really enjoy the cheerful wonders of the yuletide, making memories and creating traditions with my family.

With that in mind, I came up with a few fun activities that will keep the whole family moving during the season.

Dashing Through the Snow

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

1. A flat bed sheet or a rectangular tablecloth (red or green to stay with the holiday theme)
2. About a dozen small bells (I bought mine at the “dollar store”)
3. Music – “jingle bells”

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place the table cloth or bed sheet flat on the floor.
2. Scatter a dozen small bells on top of it.
3. Gather family members around the sheet and pick the sheet up gently.
4. Start playing the song or singing “Jingle Bells”. During the beginning part of the song “Dashing Through the Snow,” all the family members walk around in a circle while holding the sheet/tablecloth.
5. When the chorus of the song begins (“Jingle Bells”) everyone stops moving and shakes the tablecloth slightly so that the bells begin to jingle, trying not to let the bells fall off the sheet.
6. Repeat this until the end of the song.

Adaptations:

★ If you’re using a mobile device, the participants can stay stationary during the entire song. The beginning of the song “Dashing Through the Snow,” everyone participating sways the sheet side to side, and during the chorus “Jingle Bells”, they all shake it hearing the bells ring. If the participant is able to maneuver the chair, he/she may hold the sheet with one hand and wheel around in a circle.

Holiday Roller Ball

Supplies Needed:

• A flat bed sheet or a rectangular tablecloth (red or green to stay with the holiday theme)
• 1 medium-sized play ball

1. This activity can be executed with 2 or 4 people
2. Place the tablecloth or bed sheet on the floor stretched out firmly.
3. Each participant picks up two corners of the sheet (4 players will each take a corner).
4. Place the ball at one end of the sheet
5. The player closest to the ball starts to lift the sheet so that the ball moves to the other end. The other player must lift the sheet back up so that the ball does not fall off the sheet but rather move back to the first player.
6. How fast can you make the ball go from one end of the sheet to the other?
7. Repeat this several times to see how long it takes before the ball falls off the sheet.

Adaptations:

★ If you’re using a mobile device, this game can easily be adapted. Sit facing your player each holding two corners of the sheet. Make sure the sheet is stretched out firmly. Place the ball at one end of the sheet. While one player lifts his arms up, the ball will roll to the other end. Remember to bring your arms down as the ball approaches the other player.

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Gift Ideas

• 100 + “Mom Approved” Gifts for Kids with Special Needs
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This post originally appeared on our November/December 2021 Magazine