10 Easy Activities to Do With Your Child Over Holiday Break

The holiday break is a gift—extra time to slow down, reconnect, and create memories with your child. At Rising Tide Youth Movement, we know that strong families build strong futures. We’re here for families in Portsmouth, VA and across Hampton Roads, VA, ready to support you as you empower your child, optimize their future, and elevate your family for this generation and the next.

The good news? Meaningful connection doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or messy. Below are 10 free or low-cost family activities in Portsmouth that help parents and children spend real time together—no elaborate prep required.

1. Take a Neighborhood Discovery Walk

Bundle up and head outside for a simple walk around your neighborhood or a nearby park in Portsmouth, VA. Turn it into a game: look for five things you’ve never noticed before, or have your child “lead” the route. It’s free, low-pressure, and sparks great conversation.

2. Cook One Simple Recipe Together

Choose something easy—pancakes, tacos, or baked apples. Let your child help measure, stir, or set the table. Cooking together builds confidence and life skills while creating space for connection. Bonus: you’re making a meal you needed anyway.

3. Create a Family Game Night (No Board Games Required)

Try charades, “Would You Rather,” or 20 Questions. These games cost nothing, involve everyone, and often lead to laughter and surprising insights into how your child thinks. This is one of the easiest family activities in Portsmouth to repeat all year long.

4. Library Adventure Day

The Portsmouth Public Library system offers a calm, welcoming space for families in Hampton Roads, VA. Let your child choose books, audiobooks, or even movies. Make it special by reading together at home afterward with hot chocolate or snacks.

5. Vision Board Lite

Instead of a big, messy craft, grab scrap paper and magazines or draw pictures. Ask your child about their hopes for the next year—school, friendships, or hobbies. This activity gently builds goal-setting skills, something we value deeply at Rising Tide Youth Movement and across many youth services in Portsmouth.

6. Family Clean-Up Challenge

Set a 15-minute timer and tackle one shared space together. Play music and make it a game: who can find the most things to donate or put away? Working side by side teaches responsibility without turning into a lecture.

7. Movie Night With Meaning

Let your child help pick a movie, then talk about it afterward. Ask simple questions like, “What part did you like most?” or “What would you have done differently?” This turns screen time into bonding time—and it costs nothing extra.

8. Backyard or Park Free Play

Even cooler-weather outdoor time matters. Kick a ball, play tag, or just explore. Parks in Portsmouth, VA offer a great, no-cost way to burn energy and boost moods—especially helpful during long holiday breaks.

9. Family Story Time

Tell stories from your own childhood or invite your child to make one up. You can take turns adding a sentence to the story. This sparks creativity and helps children feel connected to their family’s history and voice.

10. Gratitude and Check-In Time

At the end of the day, ask each other one simple question: “What was something good about today?” This quiet practice builds emotional awareness and trust—skills that support long-term success and are at the heart of many youth services in Portsmouth.

Holiday breaks don’t need to be packed with events to be meaningful. Small moments, repeated often, are what help children feel seen, supported, and capable.

At Rising Tide Youth Movement, we’re honored to walk alongside families in Portsmouth, VA and throughout Hampton Roads, VA. We’re here to help you empower your child, optimize their future, and elevate families like yours—today and for generations to come.