Annual Christmas Light Viewing More than just fun!

Creative Commons

Does your family have an annual tradition of driving around to look at the Christmas lights? Mine does. We pile into our car and head to a nearby town {that happens to be my hometown} and view the amazing and FREE light display. We have had this tradition for years and even with my kids being teens now {one going away to college in 8 short months!} they still enjoy this annual event. As we drive away from the display each year, we say our favorites aloud {always the same it seems} and talk about anything new that has been added. Because we are a food loving family, we often pack snacks to take or we stop for our favorite treat or hot chocolate on the way. As I contemplated what we would take this year, I had an idea..


Why not engage your kids to plan the snacks that you'll take? Give everyone a job that they are to complete from start to finish. Drinks, snacks, music. are just a few ideas for someone to take care of. Having to plan and complete the job is a great executive functioning task and planning snacks is a great way to create a fun, positive experience around food {remember that we want to redirect those negatives around food into positives: read more here}. Now, if you're following the Division of Responsibility {and I hope you are}you can still do this buffet style.  A great way to serve the snacks buffet style is to lay them all out on your family table and allow each person to fill a Bento style box or other segmented box with what they desire. Remember to have something on the table that you KNOW your picky eater will eat. Pack them up in the car and off you go! You can munch away while you view the lights or make a little stop in a park or parking lot and enjoy it there. A real food adventure! 

As I was researching for this post, I found a few other amazing ideas for you to try that are also fantastic lessons in language and executive functioning. Take a look at the Family Scavenger Hunt and the grading idea found in Holiday Light Display.  

Before you head out, you may want to Google the area light displays to see what is offered in your area. I had no idea that many towns even put our a "viewing map" to alert you to the best displays. So cool! 

Do you have an annual light viewing tradition? Be sure to let me know if you try the snacks!

Until next time...keep growing and blooming.

Jen