Wait, what are cognitive skills again? You can think of cognitive skills as opportunities to build your child’s mind. Learning how to problem solve, think critically, pivot when things don’t go as planned, and organize one’s life are all highly desirable functions that fall under cognition. While many of these functions will naturally “turn on,” throughout your child’s development, they also need practice and explicit guidance. One major way to practice cognitive skills is through play!

Here’s a short list of winter holiday-themed activities that can support your child’s brain development!

Seasonal-themed puzzles

Puzzles are wonderful ways to promote problem-solving, frustration tolerance, and spatial reasoning. Periodically rotating out old puzzles and setting out new ones can be a great way to increase challenge levels or time and spark interest.

Winter storytelling with puppets

Using finger puppets or stuffed animals to act out simple holiday stories is a great way to foster creativity and language development. Let your child create their own stories, helping them develop narrative skills and imagination.

Memory game with holiday symbols

Create a memory game using cards with pictures of holiday symbols like candy canes, snowflakes, and mittens. Flip them over, and take turns finding matching pairs. This supports memory and attention to detail.

Snowflake craft sorting

Cut out snowflakes in different sizes and shapes. Have your child sort them by size, shape, or color. This helps with categorization and fine motor development.

Winter sensory bin

Fill a bin with cotton balls, pine cones, and small holiday-themed objects. Let kids explore, sort, and count the objects, stimulating their senses and cognitive skills.

Holiday baking

Involve your child in holiday baking. Let them measure ingredients, count cookie shapes, and follow simple steps, reinforcing basic math and following directions.

Gingerbread house building

Build a gingerbread house together. Let your child decide where to place candies and decorations, helping them plan and execute a design.

Board games

Play simple board games with a winter theme, such as “Snakes and Ladders” with snowmen or reindeer. These games encourage strategic thinking and understanding of game rules.

Holiday music and movement

Play holiday songs and encourage your child to dance or play along with simple instruments. This helps with rhythm, coordination, and auditory processing.

Snowy scavenger hunt indoors

Hide winter-themed items around the house (like a small snowman or jingle bell) and give clues to help your child find them. This boosts observation and problem-solving skills.