Written by Devin Miller, Relate Contributing Writer

Your entire family is gathered for a holiday dinner, including your adorable cousins and nieces or nephews. Even though you are often considered one of the “grown-ups,” for some reason you seem to always have a spot reserved closest to the “kiddie table.” Whether you know it or not, your younger relatives were most likely promised a seat next to you by their parents during the car ride there, because to them, you are the coolest person ever! Here are some easy ways to occupy younger relatives, have fun and not feel like you’re stuck with the title of “babysitter” for the day.

• Play holiday-themed charades: Round up the little ones, as well as other relatives around your age. Brainstorm as many holiday characters, wintry activities and anything else associated with the holidays, and write each on a separate slip of paper. Put all of the pieces of paper into a hat (bonus points if you have a Santa hat!), and have each person take a turn trying to act out the character they pull out of the hat. Before you know it, the adults at the party will be asking to join in! Plus, what could be cuter than watching your 4-year-old cousin try to be Rudolph?

Here are some charades ideas:

Easy:

-Santa Claus

-Frosty the Snowman

-Wrapping a present

-Sledding

More Difficult:

-Ebenezer Scrooge

-Making a gingerbread house

-The song “Jingle Bells”

• Play games with holiday music: Freeze dance requires very little effort on your part, and the adults will be extremely happy that the little ones were able to dance off some of their energy! Simply play holiday music, and tell the dancers to freeze once the music stops. If someone moves after the music was stopped, that person is out until the next round. In order to make the game more interesting, tell players to dance a specific way, and then make a certain pose when they freeze. For example, you could say, “Dance like you are stuck in green, slimy goo and then freeze with your entire body on the floor!”

For young girls:

Have them choose their favorite Christmas song, and then let them make up a dance to it. After they’ve finished, let the girls put on a “show” for the adults. You can turn this into a longer activity by having them make invitations to their show with crayons and markers.

• Need some time to be one of the “grown-ups?” When you want time to sit down, relax and talk with the rest of the family, pop in a holiday movie, or take out some crayons and paper. Nothing can keep a child’s attention longer than a great movie and a box of Crayola crayons! Give the young ones an idea for something to draw, like a snowy scene with children sledding. While they are busy creating their masterpiece, play a favorite holiday movie.

Movie suggestions:

- “The Polar Express”: Rated G

- “Snow Day”: Rated PG

- “A Charlie Brown Christmas”: Rated NR

- “Home Alone”: Rated PG

- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”: Rated NR

Although finding ways to keep younger relatives occupied may feel like a little bit of a hassle, remember that they love you and look up to you! You will be very glad you already have some tricks up your sleeve when the annual, family holiday party comes around!