Hardest Gift to Give a Kid — Time!
Photos left to right: Pottery sessions at Laguna Beach Sawdust Winter Fantasy; Ziplining at Big Bear Lake; Cookie decorating with theme park characters dropping by at Disneyland.
As the holiday approaches and siblings, moms, dads, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles rush around trying to buy kids the latest gadgets and clothes, there are some great things you can do and gifts you can buy to help the kid(s) in your life remember you as they grow older. Forget shopping at the store and spend that time on the child, youngster, teen or adult. Fun activities and sharing experiences are around every bend this winter. In this time-bankrupt world, it’s hard to make time for kids but it’s the one thing they need the most. It is better than any other holiday gift you can give!
- A local parade or tree lighting— most cities have Santa’s arrival and fund activities for children during the community event.
- Pottery making sessions–at Laguna Beach’s Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy, kids can participate in all kinds of crafts (see left photo above.)
- Zipline–California has ziplines in Big Bear Lake where there’s snow, or Catalina Island where the sunshine and sandy beaches.
- Theme park crafts–at Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland parents can purchase cookie decorating kits that include cookies and frosting.
- Campouts –the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, and San Diego Zoo feature campouts for kids and families during the holidays.
- Skill enhancement clinics–golf courses, tennis courts, ski resorts and swim instructors offer private and group sessions to help youngsters improve their skills.
- Ice skating — the seasonal ice rinks span all the way from skating on the beach at Hotel del Mar in Coronado to skating in the inner city in Los Angeles and San Francisco. They usually feature skating aids to help first timers skate without falling.
- Musical shows and entertainment–there are new movies out for the holidays, but there also ice skating shows, special Nutcracker concerts for kids and more.
