With families spending extra time at home this holiday season because of the coronavirus pandemic, now is the time to create new traditions with your children! Check out these ideas from our Specialized Services for Youth holiday guide.

• Winter walk/scavenger hunt: Bundle up and make a list of some winter items you can find in your neighborhood!

• Take a holiday lights tour: Take a drive or walk as a family and look at local light displays. Bring a snack for the drive, pack blankets and wear your pajamas while listening to your favorite holiday songs! If you’re looking for more elaborate displays to enjoy from your car, check out Magic of Lights DTE in Clarkston, Holiday Lights on the Farm in Novi and Lights on the Lake in Lake Orion. Walk-around options include the Downtown Rochester Big, Bright Light Show and the Detroit Zoo Wild Lights.

• Family slumber party: Haul blankets, pillows and sleeping bags onto the living room floor. You can even use chairs and sheets to build a fort. Enjoy a snack, watch a movie, read some stories or even practice your shadow puppet skills!

• Send a holiday/end-of-the-year email: Sit down as a family to compile an end-of-the-year email to send to friends and loved ones. Include a few pictures and short updates on each member of your family and how you’ve been keeping busy during the pandemic.

• Have a movie day: Let each member of your family pick a movie to watch, and enjoy them back-to-back! Check out Common Sense Media for age-specific recommendations on various streaming platforms.

Need more ideas? Check out these recipes and craft ideas from Specialized Services for Youth.