“Mommmmm! I'm bored.”

Seriously?

You can see the wrapping paper on the floor and the BRAND NEW TOYS in a pile by the stairs.

How can they be bored? You JUST opened presents. They have more new toys than time to play with them.

Even worse—they’re home for another full week before school starts again.

DANGER!: this could be you on December 27^th.

But it doesn’t have to be. Take steps now to save your sanity later. Here’s what you do:

1. Read through the ideas, below, today--BEFORE you're losing your mind
2. Highlight your favorite activities
3. Make a list of supplies you need for activities and acquire them
4. Schedule them on your calendar during Christmas-break days

To help, here are free printable planning worksheets to bust Christmas boredom. We recommend downloading it and filling it out but you can live dangerously and disregard these warnings if you prefer. We won’t judge, but we will keep this article available for you on December 27^th if you need it.

Start Here For Christmas Break Boredom-Busters

• http://thisreadingmama.com/christmas-break-boredom-busters/ -- holiday-themed activities for the days before Christmas

• http://www.thedatingdivas.com/kids-korner/101-winter-boredom-busters/ -- an exhaustive list! You're sure to find one or two ideas you can use.

• http://www.whilehewasnapping.com/2014/01/printable-kids-boredom-buster-jar/ -- includes a free printable of activities to cut and put in a jar. We like her ideas because they encourage service (and chores!), but you could easily make your own.

• http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/2015/01/indoor-activities-tweens.html --ideas for preteens. Includes science, math, and art projects that don't involve Play-Doh. Praise Jesus.

• http://www.amazon.com/Cookbook-Teens-Easy-Delicious-Recipes/dp/162315361 --recruit your teen to learn something new and helpful (aka that onerous chore = getting dinner on the table)

• http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/indoor-activities-for-kids --includes "Fibonnaci art" (aka math art). Need we say more?

• Also try searching "Christmas break boredom busters" and "boredom busters teens" on Pinterest for even more ideas.

Two more ideas for younger kids:

1. Get a Buddy Box! These boxes are full of activities that invite kids to grow faith through play and creativity. They’ll be occupied for hours.
2. Try Buddy Quest, a free mobile game app that teaches kids character traits in real life.

Try it!

Get started: Download these printable planning worksheets and schedule twenty minutes to browse, make notes, and choose dates. Trust us--your December-27^th-self will thank you.