If you’re planning a “staycation” this year for spring break, here are 10 things you can do with your child:
1. Camp in the backyard. Set up a campsite in your backyard, including a tent, eating area, and chairs for stargazing. Here are additional tips to help make setting up a campsite in your backyard a breeze.
2. Visit a local museum, zoo, or aquarium. Get the most out of your visit by checking out the venue online to see if there are any special events or feedings planned, and get your child to pick at least one thing to see in order to build excitement and help with the planning.
3. Do some crafts. Some spring break craft ideas include decorating Easter eggs, making jewelry, painting pinwheels, or making puppets. For some additional ideas, visit this site for hundreds of craft ideas.
4. Skype or FaceTime with family and friends. Finally, you have some spare time to catch up with relatives and friends that do not live nearby. Schedule a phone call to give your children some “face time” to catch up. Even if they only share what they have planned for the day, it will be a welcome delight for those who don’t get to hear from you or your children very often.
5. Host a movie night. Invite some friends for a movie night and watch the movie either indoors or outdoors. Here is a list of the top 50 family-friendly movies that you may want to show. Don’t forget the popcorn!
6. Paint a birdhouse. Head to your local craft store to pick up a wooden birdhouse and outdoor paint. Set up an outdoor painting station where your child can paint the birdhouse. Keep in mind that birdhouses make great Father’s Day gifts for dads and grandfathers, so consider painting a birdhouse to match their house or favorite sports team.
7. Create a scrapbook. Purchase a composition book and have your child document each day of spring break with pictures and a few sentences about what he or she did each day.
8. Have a potluck picnic at a park. Gather friends or family and plan a visit to a local park. The potluck menu can include finger sandwiches, carrots, berries, drinks and dessert. Also, plan to take some equipment for fun outdoor activities, such as a jump rope, basketball, sidewalk chalk, or scooters.
9. Plant in your garden. Now is the time to get planting in your garden. Have your child be involved by helping pick out the flowers and vegetables, planting them, and watering them. To help personalize your garden more, plan to make a garden stone of your child’s handprints, footprints, or their own personalized decorations.
10. Cook and bake together. Plan to make at least one meal or dessert together. Some ideas are chocolate chip pancakes, chicken Caesar wraps, or yogurt parfaits. If your kids are feeling a bit adventurous, sign them up for local cooking classes. You may also try any one of these cookbooks:
- The Everything Cooking for Kids Cookbook by Ronni Litz Julien
- Sesame Street Silly Snacks: Cooking with Kids
- Betty Crocker Kids Cook!
What is your favorite thing to do during spring break? If you chose to do any of these ideas, share your pictures with us!
Contributing Writer
Trisha Thomas is the mother of two and serves on the board of directors at a co-op preschool. She has also been a marketer of educational materials for grades PreK–8 for more than 15 years.