What? It’s here already? Ah yes, spring break. The week that comes too late for kids and too soon for parents, and can sometimes result in the desperate, last minute search for something to occupy your children. Sure, we would all love to take a grand vacation to some resort where there are both kid-friendly and adult-friendly activities. But the truth of the matter is that unless you’ve spent several months planning and saving, this isn’t always a realistic option. So now you sit, looking into the sad little face of your offspring and wonder, “Now what do we do!?” Well, here are 6 fun stay at home spring break ideas for families that you are sure to enjoy. Just because you aren’t going anywhere doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of a staycation!
Stay at Home Spring Break Ideas
Believe it or not, there is a way to keep from breaking the bank and still have a memorable, exciting time right in your own back yard. Even if you take a few days off work to plan a couple fun activities in your local area, you’re probably still not losing as much money as you would be heading to a vacation getaway.
So what’s the benefit of taking a few days off? You get some genuine engagement with your precious little ones – quality time that you miss out on during the hurried, day-to-day routines and, most importantly, you are creating memories that might just be the things your child looks back on fondly as an adult. Those meaningful moments are captured in the smallest of places, and here are just a few spring break ideas for families to get you started!
Staycation Ideas To Make Staying Home For Spring Break Fun
1) Sleep-Over Madness – Reach out to the parents of your child’s friends and organize a week’s worth of sleep-overs. Each parent commits to planning one night of fun and hosting for all the kiddos. Not only do the kids have a blast staying at someone else’s house each night, but the parents also get to enjoy several nights alone – an added bonus! Throw in some fort building, add a couple of video games or movies, some snacks, some crafts and BAM you have lots of fun for the kids at very little cost and even some benefits for the parents!
2) Bedroom Makeover – Tackle the challenge of completely revamping their bedrooms. Do a new project each day (i.e. painting, moving furniture, changing décor, adding a stereo, etc.). Your children will, unknowingly, be cooperating with you to make their room feel more mature, fun, inviting, etc. Just remember – if you have a child who wants to paint the walls black and put up ninja posters, you better be willing to compromise a little!
3) Public Service – You may never realize it, but there are so many opportunities for your children, even at a young age, to begin learning about how they can affect the world around them. And if you can find moments to help your kids understand their impact, it just might make a difference in the decisions they make as growing young adults in the future. Volunteer at a food pantry, clean up trash along the road, feed the animals at the zoo! Who knows what else there might be in your area, the possibilities are endless.
4) Producer/Actor Extraordinaire – We all have smart phones with fantastic video cameras so… why not put them to good use? Sit down and get creative! Write a short film, then pick your actors (friends and family members) and then make a movie (you probably have basic editing software on your computer as well). It will be something to look back on and reflect in those very moments when you did something together as a family. And you just might be a young Spielberg in the making!
5) 5K Challenge – Yep, some exercise… run a race together! Even if you end up walking most of it, this could instill a life-long love of the sport in your kids, as well as bring about a sense of accomplishment for them. You can save the running bib and have it framed as a memento.
6) The Local Hot Spot – Is there a place that you have been wanting to explore right in your town (or a neighboring city)? Go for it! Put on the tourist hat, forget you’re a local and check it out. A museum, aquarium, park, or even restaurant can be a great change of pace and a place that you wouldn’t usually visit during your daily routine.
These are all spring break ideas for families that could potentially become family traditions that you and your children look forward to every year – and possibly beyond. Use some creativity to find ways to incorporate the ideals you hope to impart to your children along with some added fun to make memories that will last a lifetime! Are you planning a stay at home spring break for your family? What are some of the ways you plan to keep the kids busy over spring break?
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But my best part is the “sleep over madness”. How come I never tried or imagine this before?
Seem a bit of relief though, by having the kids pass the nyt somewhere else. I could sleep without worries – atleast