PRACTICAL PARENTING â—½ HOME
The Light
by Marcy Lytle
Isn’t it just the best to see the wonder and amazement and joy in a child’s eyes when they see Christmas lights on the tree or in the neighborhood? Is there anything better? Lights are fascinating to kids from the time they can focus and see them hanging on the ceiling, and at every age as they grow up in our homes. And maybe they too are a bit sad when the lights all come down and are put away.
​
Here are some ideas of how to enjoy light, in the month of January, with your kids, and have fun doing it.
​
-
Flashlight chase – Turn off all the lights and give everyone a flashlight (Dollar Tree has lots!) Flash the beams around and chase them. Do this often, all during the dreary month.
-
Light candles – It can be battery operated ones or actual ones (in jars, please – be safe!) and have dinner by candlelight. Kids will love it, and so will you!
-
Shop for nightlights – Do your kids have nightlights in their rooms, or in their bathrooms? There are so many fun and cute ones. Make this a January tradition, to get new ones!
-
Observe the moon – Bundle up and step outside on a clear night and observe the moon. Talk about its shape, how it lights up the night sky, and how God made it to rule over darkness.
-
Leave out the twinkles – Maybe you have one strand of lights you could leave up during the month of January, around a small plant, across your mantel, or inside a vase. Don’t put them all away, just yet.
-
Play cave tour – turn off all the lights in the house and let different kids give a “tour” of different parts of the house using only one flashlight, as you pass it around and take turns. How fun!
-
Read by flashlight – Turn off overhead lights and enjoy a book with a flashlight alone.
-
One lamp at a time – Go through the house and turn on one lamp at a time. Talk about the shape, how it gives light, where it came from, etc. Then enjoy a treat.
-
Scavenger hunt – hide stuffies around the living room in obscure places and give kids the flashlights to find…or let them take turns.
-
Light a fire – If you have a fireplace, or a fire pit, light it and enjoy the flickers while you roast marshmallows or watch a show. If you have neither, then light a group of candles and roast over them!
What else can you do with light in the dark months of winter? Ask kids for ideas, talk about light and dark, and remind them that now Christmas is over, we can remember the Light of the World is with us always until Christmas returns again…