I have to plan 9 days worth of on-campus activities for the holidays...help!

sassypants527

I work at a year-round boarding school, and I have to plan activities for between 70-115 kids over the Christmas holiday (week of Christmas and week after), and all my ideas seem tired.  Any secular suggestions?

_JRG_

What kind of things do you normally plan? 

sassypants527

It's my first time in this position, but they've done knitting, friendship bracelets, card tourneys, athletic options are always there (weight room, cardio room), movie-watching, and some of the kids are involved in a play rehearsing on campus.  I was brand new last Christmas, but they seem to have the same types of stuff (as mentioned above) every break week.  I am also putting together an international culture exploration day, but there are so many hours to fill, and they're usually in 1-2 hour blocks at a a time. 

TheWop

Cookie decorating:  just make sure you're not using "Christmas" cookie shapes (Santa, reindeer, etc).  Snowmen or gingerbread would be good shapes to use if you want something of the season. 

sarahdtobe

When I was in college, they had a midnight breakfast tradition toward the end of the semester.  It was really cool to be eating yummy breakfast foods with all my friends and seeing all the pretty lights outside.  Another tradition was cocoa and cookies day, but that was usually when class was still in session.  Caroling, maybe?  There are some carols that are more winter-themed. 

lr78

What about a talent show, bingo, game show (price is right, jeopardy, wheel of fortune).... Not sure how they are arranged, but maybe a hall contest, or floor contest... like a bulletin board decorating... or maybe volleyball tournament, or basketball.... free throw contest?      what's in the area, skating, skiing, museum, aquarium, movies?

 

Hmmm... that's all I've got off the top of my head.... if I think of more I'll send another message.  Also, what age are these kids?

 Good luck!

sassypants527

All great ideas, thanks!  Some we can't do due to the nature of our facility, but others are wonderful.  We just did a dorm battle, and they did life sized monopoly during the last break, but maybe other games...also, I am planning on Muggle Quidditch!

JRBSEH

What about minute to win it events? We do that at my school and the kids totally eat it up!

littlefootann

Caroling, fashion show, or some kind of decorating competition