From making a paper and cotton ball snowman to decorating miniature cookie houses, kids engaged in hands-on winter crafts and games at Belmont Parks and Recreation’s Winter Wonderland Workshop.
Previously known as Santa’s Workshop, this was the third year of the workshop. Hosted at Twin Pines Park on Dec. 6, this event offered a space for children aged 5 to 12 to engage in hands-on activities, including coloring, building, and creative projects.
“We wanted to add something for kids during the holidays that was kind of craft-focused and activity-based, so we started this event,” said Danielle Giuliacci, the recreation coordinator for the youth and teen division of Belmont Parks and Recreation.
Under the supervision of the Volunteers, Outreach, Involvement, Community, Events, and Services (VOICES), a Belmont Parks and Recreation program that allows teens to participate in service projects throughout the Bay Area, parents could drop off their children for the duration of the three-hour event, knowing that their children would be taken care of.
“I help interact with kids and teach new experiences,” said Tristan Lim, a VOICES member and Carlmont senior. “Kids get to learn how to make arts and crafts, and they also bring home gifts for their parents, like ornaments that they can hang on their tree. And it’s just a way to relax and enjoy the week.”
For the workshop, all volunteers were high schoolers through the VOICES program. They helped set up craft tables, instructed young creators, and cleaned up at the end.
“They’re honestly the reason why a lot of these events are possible,” Giuliacci said. “If they weren’t here, we probably couldn’t do them, because we wouldn’t have enough staff to be here. So they’re very helpful in making these events possible.”
Many parents appreciated the diversity of crafts and the interactive environment brought by the enthusiastic kids and volunteers. Parent Sunaina Sullivant emphasized how the workshop fostered new friendships for the children attending and allowed her daughter to try different activities.
“It’s a nice chance for her to practice some of the skills she’s working on, but in a fun environment,” Sullivant said.
For many VOICES students, volunteering at these events is very rewarding. Maya Price is a Carlmont senior who enjoyed leading a snowflake-making craft.
“I was a counselor this past summer, and it’s just really fun making crafts with the kids. It’s very nostalgic for me. It reminds me of elementary school,” Price said.
Due to the low child-to-volunteer ratio, one-on-one assistance was often available to the children.
“There are around 15 VOICES members and maybe 30 kids, so the kids get special attention,” Lim said.
All in all, Belmont’s annual Winter Wonderland event provided a space for children, their parents, and the VOICES volunteers to enjoy the holiday spirit together.
“I’ve been with VOICES since freshman year, and I love working with them because we get to put on all these amazing events for the community. It’s really special to see kids light up with joy when they make their crafts,” said sophomore Katie Michaels.
