Christmas 2021 is approaching, and it’s looking a bit more normal than the previous year. Children have been navigating the pandemic like the little superheroes they are, and they deserve a Christmas like we had growing up: surrounded by family, festivities, and fun.

Our experts in everything fun at Jumbaloo Playgrounds have compiled an exciting list of how to spread Christmas cheer with kids. We call it Operation Christmas.

Bake Christmas Cookies for Friends and Family

What better way to start spreading Christmas cheer than Christmas baking? Christmas and baking go together like peanut butter and jelly, candy canes and gingerbread, or marshmallows and hot chocolate! You get the idea. A classic favourite is the Christmas cookie. These festive treats are traditionally sugar cookies cut into fun Christmas shapes like trees and bells, dusted with sprinkles. They’re easy to make and so fun. They’re also great to share with family and friends! Pack up a batch of these in a festive box and gift them to a friend or neighbour. You’re bound to put a smile on someone’s face.

Decorate the House 

Studies show that people who put their Christmas tree up early are happier, so that means there’s no need to wait until December 1st before you start spreading Christmas cheer throughout your home. Your children will be delighted when you pull out those lights and ornaments, and will surely be eager to help decorate. 

Sing Christmas Carols 

Singing Christmas carols is another activity perfect for enjoying that Christmas spirit. There is no other holiday with quite the same array of music. As soon as the department stores start playing our favourite Christmas classics, we know the holiday season is here. Get your kids in the spirit by putting together Christmas karaoke, or impress your neighbours the old fashion way with door-to-door singing (from a safe distance, of course). 

Donate Spare Change 

Make donating spare change to those in need part of your Operation Christmas. There are lots of organizations accepting donations, and demand is incredibly high around the holidays.

Helping those less fortunate is an important life lesson, and there’s no better season than Christmas to teach your kids the importance of generosity. Whether you find an online organization for spare change collection, or donate directly to a homeless shelter, a little bit goes a long way.

Donate Toys 

Another great way to spread cheer and give back is by donating toys. Christmas 2021 might look different for many families, and donating a toy or two could bring holiday delight to someone in your community. It’s also a simple but meaningful gesture to share with your children. Find a toy donation location at your local mall or supermarket.

Organize a Fundraiser or Food Drive 

Take the spirit of giving even further by organizing a fundraiser or a food drive. Again, many families do without. Collecting food donations is a wonderful way to ensure less fortunate families can enjoy nice Christmas meals too. You can also encourage your child to organize a bake sale or fundraiser by themselves to raise money for families in need.

Come Play at Jumbaloo

Now that you and your kids are in the Christmas spirit, our team at Jumbaloo would love to see those beaming smiles at our indoor playground.

We are thrilled to be open and adhering to Covid-19 rules and regulations for your safety.

Book your next play date by giving us a call at 905-785-3990 or visit our online contact page.

Does your child tend to raise a ruckus at home, but then appear to be timid or clam up in social situations?

Many parents express concern when their kids seem to suffer from shyness, often out of fear that they will trail behind in social development. However, while childhood shyness is a frequent concern amongst parents, most psychological studies suggest that it’s also a very common and persistent trait.

The good news is that there are also plenty of strategies available to encourage children to come out of their shells and gain more confidence. In this blog, we’ll review some general tips for parents to help their shy kids become more engaged and confident, as well as some fun kids activities that can help spark their more expressive or creative sides. Keep reading to learn more.

General Tips for Parents With Shy Children

With enough patience and preparation, there are a multitude of ways for parents to help their children learn how to manage social situations and develop stronger connections with their peers. Some of the most effective ways for parents to achieve this include:

Avoiding Intervention

If you’ve noticed that your child struggles to socialize and make friends with other children at a playground or in another social setting, you might feel compelled to step in and help direct them. However, your child will have a difficult time learning how to manage their frustrations and the ability to deal with their current situation, which is an important skill that will encourage them to be more outgoing as they get older.

Being an Active Listener

Children are always more likely to open up and share their experiences with the people they trust the most. As their parents, this will most likely be you.

Therefore, be sure to always be an active listener of your child’s stories, sentences, and other expressions. Over time, this can help them to feel more comfortable with outward self-expression around others.

Preparing Them for New Situations

For shy kids, trying new things can feel nerve-wracking. A great way to help your child warm up to new situations is to talk them through any scenarios beforehand. Consider comparing a new or scary situation to something they have successfully tried (and enjoyed) in the past as a means of calming their nerves and familiarizing them.

Starting Small

Most shy children gradually warm up to social situations when they are exposed to new things one step at a time. Exposing them to too many people and changes at once can feel overwhelming.

Consider using the “factorial approach,” which is a technique where just one or two things at a time are changed or introduced. This can include encouraging socialization with one playmate and then waiting until they are comfortable before introducing any other peers into a playgroup. Be sure to start small, go slowly, and give your child time to adjust to each step.

Activities to Encourage Socialization

There are also many activities that can help spark confidence in shy children and boost their confidence in social spaces. Some of the best places for icebreaker activities include:

Indoor Playgrounds

Indoor playgrounds provide an excellent space for collaborative activities, continued contact, and healthy interaction. As such, they’re a great place for shy kids to experience different situations and feel more comfortable opening up.

Day Camps

Day camps are usually packed with a myriad of fun-filled activities for children with various different personality types, interests, and preferences. Many activities in day camps are designed to further social engagement and encourage kids to problem-solve collaboratively, such as crafts, cooking, drama, swimming, and sports. The continuity of a day camp program is also a great way to make shy kids feel more comfortable exploring new activities and forming friendships.

Outdoor Games

Being indoors with other peers can sometimes feel overwhelming for shy kids, which is why outdoor games are also a great way for them to ease their tension and warm up to others. Backyards or parks are a perfect setting for children to be creative and participate in games that require more personal contact. Various outdoor games can include tag, hide and seek, sports, dance, creative pretend play, and much more.

Schedule Your Next Playdate at Jumbaloo Today!

Our team at Jumbaloo Playgrounds is thrilled to finally be open and ready to host your child’s next big playdate! With a wide range of ways to exercise and have fun, our indoor playground is inclusive, safe, and open for children of all personality types.

To book your next party at Jumbaloo, call us at 905-785-3990 or visit our contact page to fill out our online form. We look forward to hosting your next playdate!