Holiday Ideas, Tips & Support

The holidays can be stressful but we’ve got ways to make this time of the year feel extra special and we’ve compiled tips to help you navigate it all without feeling overwhelmed. Check out these fun family traditions you can implement this year, ways to reduce screen time and feel more connected, advice from a local Emergency Room doctor on how to avoid holiday burnout, and holiday movie picks for every age!

Tradition IDEAS

By Kate Reed

My family loves holiday traditions and while we’ve added new ones as a family some of our traditions were passed down from our parents! Here are some of our favorite ones.

Letters to Santa

Each child writes (or draws) their letter to Santa and we ‘mail’ it to the North Pole! These are great keepsakes for when they have their own kids so I save them. We type up letters back on with Santa templates found online and the kids receive them in the mail. We just slip them into a pile of mail but you could also have friends or family mail it! Or, try santasredletter.com to have an authentic letter sent to your child.

In need of a little more holiday magic this year? Check out USPS Operation Santa where families are paired with generous people who can fulfill their wish list.

There are also endless virtual programs to send Santa letters like this fun one from Paperless Post which benefits Toys for Tots.

Hot Cocoa Bar

Recipe (from Taste of Home)

Get your friends and family together for some Christmas cookie decorating, caroling, and a hot cocoa bar! We love to put a movie on the outdoor projector and sip cocoa around a fire.

Ingredients:

½ cup sugar ¼ cup baking cocoa Dash of salt 1/3 cup hot water 4 cups milk 3/4tsp vanilla extract

Topping ideas:

• Marshmallows • Whipped cream • Crushed peppermint or cinnamon candies • Toffee bits • Caramel and chocolate sauce • Candy canes for stirring • Cookies • Truffles • Pirouette cookies • Shaved chocolate

Directions:

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in milk; heat to serving temperature (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Whisk until frothy. Pour into a carafe for serving. Put some bowls out with all your toppings and enjoy!

Reindeer Food

24 Books of CHRISTMAS

Pick 24 holiday books and wrap them up so that your children get to open one each night before bedtime! It’s a great tradition that doesn’t cost anything year after year if you repurpose books. But you can also try book swaps with friends or adding new holiday books each year. While you can buy adorable bags of reindeer food ready to go, this is an easy craft to make with the kids. Mix some oatmeal and sanding sugar (sprinkles) and mix! Put it in a little baggie and save it for Christmas Eve. Sprinkle it on your lawn to guide the reindeer to your house. Don’t forget to leave some carrots out!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we load up the car and drive around all the neighborhoods to look at the decorations. We look forward to it every year! Then when we come home the kids get a new pair of pajamas and open one gift from under the tree. It’s such a simple tradition but it’s one of my favorites from my childhood.

USING COMMON SENSE

8Ways to BALANCE FAMILY SCREEN TIME this Holiday Season

By Ilana Lowery

THE HOLIDAYS OFTEN MEAN gatherings and time spent with friends and immediate and extended families. Holidays also can be a tough season to navigate the needs of the family while also making sure kids are not tethered to their devices all day. (And yet, chances are some sort of technology device with a screen is topping your kids’ holiday wish list.)

This time can also be filled with more tech usage while the kids are home and looking for activities to fill their days off. With no school, the challenge of managing free time with tech time can be emphasized both for parents and for kids.

According to Common Sense Media and GoGuardian, which creates learning platforms for schools, there are several creative ways to balance your family’s tech activities with much-needed face time.

Here are a few you can try: 1. Set up family guidelines with your

kids. Technology is a part of children’s lives in a way that we never experienced so it is important to be respectful of their thoughts, even while we are the ones setting the rules. If they feel heard, they are much more likely to work within the family guidelines, and it’s equally as important that the adults follow those rules, too.

2. Have a download derby. Browse the app store together. Look for games and activities that the whole family can enjoy, such as the ones on our best app lists.

3. Implement mandatory fun time

sessions. Set up 1-2 hours of fun time where no devices are allowed. If the weather permits, they can go outside to play. If not, then it’s blanket forts

in their room! Another aspect you can implement is no electronics when out for family events. Kids have an innate ability to turn almost anything into a game using their imagination, and sometimes they just need a little bit of encouragement.

4. Try some tech togetherness. Schedule some daily tech time for yourself and your kids. Get their input on which devices they absolutely can't live without, and allow some limited use.

If their apps have settings that help curb use, such as the ones on Tik Tok,

YouTube, and Snapchat – then by all means, enable them. Unplugging for its own sake isn't the point. Family time is.

Plan a night of video games, movies, or maybe preselected YouTube videos that you can all enjoy together.

5. Establish a family zone. Agree as a family to have dinner together every night. At Common Sense, we like to call it “Device-Free Dinner” `– a time that is always tech-free (no TV, no phone, no computer). Ask everyone around the table at every meal to stack their phones in the middle or at the end of the table and try to spend anywhere from 30-45 minutes focused on conversation. Reminder: as parents, you need to model the behavior.

6. Set parameters on devices. Set limits that work for you and your family. For example, your child can have access to a device for one hour once his or her homework is done. These types of controls can help you make limits and stick to them. Having the tool of parental controls gives you a chance to re-evaluate the limits when the time comes.

Let your kids know that you'll be enforcing stricter time and use limits to create more quality family time. Make sure you let them know the rules apply to the grown-ups, too. Use your phone's built-in features (Screen Time in iOS and Digital Wellbeing in Android) to determine how much time you're spending online and which apps you use the most — and pare back where you can.

7. Showcase tech alternatives early.

Technology is essentially the world at your child’s fingertips, and its allure is understandable. What is most important with the role of tech is open communication and family activities or games to support engagement. By setting an example and showing them that screen life is just one experience, you can also show that tech is just one tool in the bucket of engaging and fun entertainment and learning options.

8. Combine on- and offline activities.

Document your family memories and consider compiling them into journals, cards, and scrapbooks. This is a perfect time to share your own holiday memories with your kids. One last idea, try to have an old-fashioned holiday. Challenge your family to choose low- or no-tech versions of favorite activities.

Generate fun on your own — no

WiFi, data or plugs. Come holiday season, the decision to either give children freedom to enjoy the time off or to encourage bonding with family isn’t an easy one for parents. Whether your method is to establish rules, model behavior, or allow your children to make their own choices, consistency and follow-through are key to responsible tech use.

Ilana Lowery is the Arizona director for Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology by empowering parents, teachers and policymakers. She can be reached at ilowery@commonsense.org.

COMMON SENSE PICKS

The best HOLIDAY MOVIES for kids

WHEN YOU'RE READY for some quality family time amid the chaos of the season, there's nothing better than curling up with one of these holiday favorites. From all-time classic holiday movies for kids such as The Muppet Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street, to sweet holiday-themed romances for older tweens and teens like While You Were Sleeping and Love Actually, you're sure to find a festive flick that's just right for your family. Here are just a few age-appropriate holiday movies we love that are all available on DVD or streaming — but make sure to check out all of our Common Sense selections at commonsensemedia.org/movie-lists

Ages 3+ Ages 5+

• Arthur Christmas • Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas • Prep & Landing • The Muppet Christmas Carol

Ages 6+

• Alien Xmas • Angela's Christmas • Angela's Christmas Wish • The Dog Who Saved Christmas • The Polar Express • Trolls Holiday

Ages 8+

• A Christmas Carol (1938) • How the Grinch Stole Christmas • Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey • The Man Who Invented Christmas

Ages 9+

• A Christmas Carol (2020) • A Christmas Story Live! • Black Nativity • It's a Wonderful Life • The Santa Clause

• A Charlie Brown Christmas • Frosty the Snowman • Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer • The Snowman and the Snowdog

Ages 4+

• A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas • If You Give a Mouse a Christmas Cookie • Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You

Ages 7+

• Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors:

Circle of Love • DreamWorks: Home For the Holidays • Elf • Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! • The Santa Clause 2 • The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

Ages 10+

• Christmas with Holly • Home Alone • The Christmas Chronicles • The Preacher's Wife

Ages 11+

• Happiest Season • Lost Christmas • National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation • The Mistle-Tones

COURAGEOUS CO-PARENTING Sharing New YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

By Michael Aurit, JD, MDR

STRUGGLING TO AGREE on the pick-up time for Christmas morning? Unable to reach an agreement on Winter Break schedules? Are co-parenting conversations turning into arguments? You are not alone.

If you fear things will never change, you could consider a different approach. Discover your shared parenting values and make a shared resolution to be guided by these values in all of your interactions. Co-parenting can be healthier. The shift will be life-changing for your children.

Often co-parents will say “If we can’t agree on the details, how can we possibly align on shared co-parenting values?"

But, this is the courageous new perspective: “Aligning on shared co-parenting values can guide us to agree on the details.”

Even co-parents who had different values as spouses can identify shared co-parenting values after divorce. Many co-parents who struggle with ongoing conflict share many of the same parenting values. Bringing these higher-level agreements to the surface and committing to remain true to your shared values is the game-changer.

Some commonly shared parenting values include:

• We will be considerate and flexible with each other’s scheduling needs.

• We will treat each other with professionalism. • We will not say negative things about each other near the children. • We will not pass messages through the kids or ask questions about the other parent.

You can also identify your own highest-level parenting values to guide all of your communications and behaviors, you might consider:

• We will act in ways that make our kids feel loved. • We will make proposals rather than demands when we want to change something. • We recognize that attacking our co-parent is an attack on ourselves.

Disagreements on the details can resolve quickly, and with far less conflict, when you both have an understanding of your mutual parenting values. Embrace them as your co-parenting compass. These values will remind you of the larger picture, set you back on the right path, and keep conflict from escalating.

This new year, make a joint resolution to act according to your shared values, and to recover from conflict by remembering those values. If you need support for the conversation, a professional family mediator or family therapist can help.

Courageous Co-Parenting is Raising Arizona Kids’s monthly column for separating or divorced parents to learn conflict resolution skills, strategies, and attitudes for healthy co-parenting. These concepts apply to all parents. Please feel free to share the column with your co-parent.

Michael Aurit, JD, MDR, is a Professional Mediator and Co-Founder of The Aurit Center for Divorce Mediation in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is President of The Academy of Professional Family Mediators. He is also an Adjunct Professor at The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law and Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law. Michael is married to Karen Aurit, and they live in Phoenix, Arizona with their three and five-year-old daughters. Michael can be reached at michael@auritmediation.com. To learn more, visit auritmediation.com

HEALTHY LOVE HABITSHappy

HOLIDAY HUMOR

By Karen Aurit, LAMFT

COULD THE SECRET to navigating holiday stress and even the success of your marriage depend on making your spouse laugh?

Research shows that using comedy to emotionally calm one’s spouse during marital conflict can lead to stronger and longerlasting marriages. However, cracking jokes to avoid addressing marital problems leads to an increased likelihood of divorce.

A repair attempt is “any statement or action—silly or otherwise—that prevents negativity from escalating out of control.” It is your attempt to make up—to heal the relationship following conflict.

Gottman’s groundbreaking research shows “the success or failure of a couple’s repair attempts is one of the primary factors in whether [a] marriage is likely to flourish or flounder.”

Examples of repair attempts are; making a genuine apology, using a “code word” or phrase that signals you want to hit the reset button, or using humor to lighten the mood—specifically a shared sense of “funny” that bonds your relationship together.

Making a joke that only you find funny, and may be perceived as defensive or sarcastic, will likely make matters worse. However, an “inside joke” that you both find funny can be the most powerful and efficient way to get back on track.

Whether you choose to make a silly face, do a goofy dance or break out into song, the key is to use humor that will relieve your partner’s stress. If holiday stress is impacting your relationship, try using shared humor to keep your marriage on the right track. Humor is an important piece of long-lasting relationships and, when used correctly, will help you and your spouse to have a peaceful and relaxed happy holiday.

G POINT STUDIO

Healthy Love Habits is Raising Arizona Kids’s monthly relationship column for learning simple habits to create the healthy and loving connection you desire and deserve.

Karen Aurit, LAMFT, is Director and Co-Founder of The Aurit Center for Divorce Mediation in Scottsdale, Arizona. Karen is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in mindfulness theory. She is also an Adjunct

Professor at The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law and at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law. Karen is married to Michael Aurit, and they live in Phoenix, Arizona, with their three and five-year-old daughters. Karen can be reached at karen@auritmediation.com. To learn more, visit auritmediation.com

Dr. Mara Windsor.

5Ways to Combat Burnout this

HOLIDAY SEASON

By Monique Seleen

THE HOLIDAY SEASON can bring about lots of cheer, family-time, and the making of many magical memories. But with all the baking, gift-buying, wrapping, and hustle and bustle, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Mara Windsor, local Emergency Room doctor, wife, and mother of three, knows the signs of burnout all too well.

After the birth of her third child--who faced several medical complications--while also trying to juggle two other small children, a husband who was in the midst of starting his own

business, and a demanding career in healthcare, Windsor said she found herself at her limit. “I had got to a place in my life where I was burnt out with my life, with being a mother, and my household,” she said. It was then she got the idea to start a non-profit organization—Living In Fulfilled Enlightenment (L.I.F.E)—which she originally launched with a group of women going through a similar season of life. “I got my girlfriends together for food and drinks and gave them a presentation about what I wanted to do,” said Windsor. “I was running monthly meetings out of our house on topics such as exercise, nutrition, and relationships. I wanted to increase the awareness that burnout is everywhere—in work, your personal relationship, and I wanted to provide tools and resources to prevent it.” In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Windsor has since transformed L.I.F.E. into an organization that focuses primarily on the burnout of healthcare personnel, but as a busy parent, she still recognizes the stressors that parents face, especially around the holidays.

Every year around October as the holiday season kicks off with Halloween, Windsor said she becomes increasingly aware of the signs and symptoms related to burnout.

“After having kids, I noticed I set up all these expectations for what I wanted the holidays to be like. I would end up doing all of it myself—staying up until 2 or 3 in the morning making everything perfect. I was putting all that pressure on myself and it was giving me anxiety.”

Now, Windsor said she’s a lot more aware about what to look out for and can recognize when she’s reaching a burnout point.

She says symptoms such as anxiety, demotivation, apathy, and fatigue can all be signs of burnout.

Here are 5 tips Windsor says parents can do to avoid hitting burnout, especially during the holiday season:

Put Yourself First

“I try to think about what I would tell my child if they were in this situation and that helps me to find a compassionate voice for myself,” said Windsor. “I block off two hours once a week for myself and I can do whatever I want during that time—go for a walk, get a pedicure or manicure, watch a show.”

Focus on your Nutrition

Windsor said she gave up splurging on sweets during the holidays because it made her feel miserable. Instead she said focuses on eating healthy, which gives her more energy.

Schedule Time for Sleep

“If I’m eating nutritiously and sleeping the right amount, I can manage stress better,” she said.

Connect with Nature

“Take a hike or a nice stroll in the neighborhood, walk the dog— you have don’t to ‘hit it hard’ to qualify as exercise, you just have to move your body,” said Windsor.

Have Fun

Winsor said it’s important that parents take time to do things that create laughter for both them and their families. “Laughter, fun, and play helps people release oxytocin which helps us recover and rejuvenate.”

Windsor also added that it’s okay for parents to delegate tasks and not be afraid to ask for help when needed. She suggests doing things such as paying for gift-wrapping services, getting precooked holiday meals, or hiring someone to decorate the house for the holidays to help ease the burdens.

“Sometimes we are creating our own stress cycle by saying yes to everything and trying to do everything,” said Windsor. “Now I say no for myself and my family.”

For more information on L.I.F.E., or to help make a donation to the non-profit organization, visit livingenlightenment.life

Monique Seleen is the Editor for RAK. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from ASU and a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from GCU. She spent 6 years as a middle school English teacher where she shared her love for writing with her students. Monique and her husband live in Mesa and are excited to become parents for the first time to their baby boy, due in February.

5 Ways to Involve Little Ones in Holiday Traditions

By Emily Singleton

THE HOLIDAY SEASON can be a time for parents to rediscover the magic and excitement of the holidays through their children. Part of this is about taking the traditions from your past and creating new ones with your children. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, sometimes we focus a lot of our energy on gift-buying for our little ones, but the things that will build your relationship with your children are the times you spend together. Here are some fun ways to connect with your little ones this holiday season:

Make decorations

Paper chains, banners, and ornaments are just a few crafts that can be adapted for various age groups. A quick internet search will yield many creative ideas. Don’t feel like they have to come out perfect – the important part is the time spent together—not the finished product.

Share stories and books that reflect your cultural traditions as well as others

The libraries are a great place to learn more about holiday traditions from your own culture as well as other countries, cultures, and belief systems. Stories don’t just come from books though – share stories from your childhood with your children. It can be as simple as telling about the first time you made a holiday dish, a holiday travel story, or telling about a childhood gift you gave or received.

Involve little ones in the kitchen

Food is a major part of all holiday celebrations. Little ones can help out too – it might mean dumping in or mixing up some ingredients, washing veggies, or shaping dough. Your child’s age will guide their involvement.

Sing-Alongs and Caroling

This one is not about how well you sing –it’s about singing together. Sharing songs from your culture or popular holiday songs that you like is a fun way to get kids involved. Ask grandparents or other family members to share their favorite holiday songs and teach them to your children. You can even record clips of your kids singing and send them to friends and relatives for virtual caroling.

Make holiday cards

Little ones love the idea of sending out cards to people they know. Let them draw or sign their names in holiday cards. They can also be involved in taking them to the mailbox. This helps them connect with loved ones far away.

Traditions can be fluid and they will change as your children grow older. The most important tradition at the holidays is enjoying the moments spent together with family and friends.

Emily Singleton is the senior program manager of Parent Partners Plus at Southwest Human Development. To learn more about Parent Partners Plus, visit parentpartnersplus.com. For more about Southwest Human Development, visit swhd.org

Winter Break Camps

for kids in metro Phoenix

Need a fun, safe environment for the kids during winter break? Here are some local camps and drop-in programs in the Valley.

ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER

600 E. Washington St., Phoenix 602-716-2028 • azscience.org/camps

A chilling winter camp for grades 1-6. Freeze Frenzy is a 4 day (full-day) camp where kids will build a chairlift, create a snowball launcher, explore ice fossils and more. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30.

ARIZONA SUNRAYS SUPERCAMP

15801 N. 32nd St. • 602-992-5790 3923 E. Indian School Road • 602-992-5791 arizonasunrays.com

Offers supervised, themed activities year-round. Campers ages 4-13 participate in various gymnastics circuits, dance, NinjaZone, special guests demonstrations, trampoline, group activities, water games and more. 8 a.m to 3 p.m. Dec. 20-23 and Dec 27-30. Extended care available.

B.E.S.T. (BEGINNERS EDGE SPORTS TRAINING)

7432 E. Tierra Buena Lane, Scottsdale 623-748-9453 • thebestinaz.com

Youth sports camps for children from potty-trained age to age 12. Kids learn sports skills including baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball, dodgeball, golf, tennis, kickball, track & field, lacrosse, hockey and badminton. Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30. Full-, half-, and single days available.

CAMP HUBBARD

Paradise Valley Christian Preparatory School, 11875 N. 24th St., Phoenix 602-786-6789 • camphubbardaz.com

Camp Hubbard offers an exciting, action-packed Winter Camp for children ages 4 to 14. Children will play basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, archery, field sports, and a variety of games. Full- and half-day options Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30.

CITY OF CHANDLER

480-782-2912 • chandleraz.gov

Kids ages 5-12 can choose from 3 different facilities offering nature camps, sports camps, and youth camps. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 20-31.

CODE GALAXY

thecodegalaxy.com

Kids elementary through high school will learn computer skills and enjoy exciting courses including Scratch, Roblox, python programming, and even CAD 3D modeling in this 6 day virtual camp.

CREATIVE COLOR ART STUDIOS

8300 N. Hayden Road, Suite A100 480-478-8121 • creativecolorart.com

For ages 6-13. Kids explore drawing, painting, mixed media and sculpture Dec. 27-29.

ENGINEERING FOR KIDS

Urban Air, 4816 E. Ray Road, Phoenix Sky Zone, 4857 E. Greenway Road, Ste. A, Scottsdale 480-757-1281 • engineeringforkids.com

STEM-curriculum activities for ages 6-14 at two kid-friendly venues. Curriculum includes holiday-themed projects, in addition, Minecraft, Vex Robotics, Retro Game Design and Marble Madness. Campers will also have full access to the facility's dodgeball courts, foam pits, trampolines, jungle gyms, and more Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30.

FOUNTAIN HILLS THEATER

11445 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills 480-837-9661 • fhtaz.org

A holiday-themed camp for children ages 6-13. Gain and sharpen the skills and techniques including theater terminology, acting, blocking, line memorization, dance, voice, and more while performing in the live production of “Twas the Week After Christmas”. Dec. 20-30.

KIDSPARK

7337 W. Bell Road, Peoria • 623-878-2411 12635 N. 48th St., Phoenix • 602-788-2445 kidspark.com

This drop-in daycare facility is open days, nights and weekends for children ages 2-10 and charges $10 per hour, $70 per day, and $275 per week, with discounts for siblings.

MAKUTU’S ISLAND

6919 W. Ray Road, Chandler 480-344-3740 • makutusisland.com

An indoor play center that offers extended hours on school holidays. The centerpiece of Makutu’s Island is an indoor “tree” filled with tunnels, tubes, mole-holes and slides. Lots of arcade games, too. All-day admission for ages 1-17 and one adult is $18.56.

MARTIN PEAR JCC

12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 480-483-7121 • vosjcc.org

Youth Break Camp for kids in grades K-4 includes field games, crafts, science, competitions, special guests and more. Tween Break Camp for grades 5-8 offers virtual competitions, in-depth creative projects, cooking, robotics and more. Must commit to full five days so kids can be kept safely in “pods” of no more than 12. Masks are required. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20-24 and Dec. 27-31.

PHOENIX HERPETOLOGICAL SANCTUARY

20701 N. Scottsdale Road, Ste. 107 - 401, Scottsdale 602-550-1090 • phoenixherp.com

Students will learn about reptiles and participate in animal care and interactions, physical activities and STEAM-oriented activities at this animal sanctuary. Halfdays for kids ages 6-8 for and full-days for ages 9-12. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30. $50/day for half day, $75/day for full day; discount for multiple days. Each camp has a maximum of 10 participants.

SETH COREY TENNIS ACADEMY

The McCormick Scottsdale, 7421 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale 602-803-4006 • sethkoreytennis.com

For ages 4-16 (all levels), includes tennis instruction, sports activities and lunch. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 20-24 and Dec. 27-31. Aftercare available.

SRF BASEBALL ACADEMY

7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale ssaltriverfields.com

Young baseball players can improve their skills and prepare for the spring season during this 2 day camp. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20- 21 or Dec. 27- 28. $125 for 2-days.

TALIESIN WEST

12345 N. Taliesin Dr., Scottsdale 480-860-2700 • franklloydwright.org

Kids ages 9-12 will become architects by designing their own home with digital floor plans and building their own physical 3D architecture model. As a seasonal treat, campers will also be able to design a home using gingerbread! 9 a.m to 3 p.m. Dec. 27-31.

USA YOUTH FITNESS CENTER

1530 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert • 480-926-1480 24648 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek • 480783-2546 • usagymaz.com

Nonstop activities for ages 5-12 with open gym, obstacle courses, dance choreography and field trips. Morningonly and full-day camps Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30; full week or single day options. Lunch available for purchase.

XTREME GYMASTICS

4000 N. Hayden Road Ste. 102 Scottsdale 480-596-3543 • xtremegymnastics.com

FIT-N-FUN Day Camps promote health and fitness, while having a blast! Children ages 3-12, will enjoy gymnastics, trampoline, group activities, obstacle courses, relay races, the foam pit and more! The staff is high energy, USA Gymnastics Safety Certified, with complete background checks. Dec. 20-23 and 28-30. Schedule/rate flexibility to fit your family’s needs.