Spring break staycation: Low-cost activities with kids that will build core memories

Exotic spring-break travel isn’t always practical or feasible at every stage of life. But never fear, core memories and quality time aren’t limited to far-off destinations! The key to making the ordinary feel special is to include the kids in the planning and lean heavily on the added enjoyment of anticipation. Here are low-cost ways to fill this spring break with family fun.

Picnic at a park

Work together to pack a basket filled with a tasty lunch. Bring a beach towel as a picnic blanket and traipse to a local park (or even your own backyard). Linger over the meal and watch the clouds go by! Bring art supplies for some plein air painting or nature journaling.

Ice cream on the go

Stop by the grocery store for a frozen treat. A box of popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, or even a pint split with a few spoons becomes extra special when it is enjoyed somewhere novel! Skip the ice cream store price tag, but don’t skip the out-of-the-house experience. A frozen treat enjoyed somewhere unexpected is a memory your children will cherish! 

Plan a vacation itinerary in your hometown

What are the must-see spots in your own hometown? Work with your kids to create a travel itinerary for visitors to your hometown. You may just need to do some one-site research. Think of historic locations, picturesque photo ops, and anything that makes your city special! Kids can plan where they recommend visitors should stay, where they should eat, and where to sightsee. If they’re feeling extra creative, have them document their research by creating a brochure or pamphlet. This could be fun to send to faraway relatives or friends who may want to visit!

Mini-road trip

Look within an hour or two drive, and you might be surprised how much you can find to do! Are there any national or state parks for a hike? What about a free or low-cost museum? Any destination playgrounds? Hype up the road trip fun, even if it is only an hour drive. Gather a few road trip snacks and get ready to turn up some family favorite sing-alongs.

Playground bingo

Make a bingo card of every playground in your town and choose one each day. Two playgrounds in one day? Why not? It’s spring break! Include classmates or neighbors in your playground trips to maximize fun!

Talent show

Plan a talent show for the end of the week, and your kids will be busy preparing and rehearsing their acts all week! Do Mom and Dad have any special talents? Now is your time to shine!

At-home spirit week

From marine animals to dinosaurs, a fun theme for each day can make the mundane even more special. Kids can help come up with snacks and crafts that fit each day’s theme! Think of it like your very own spirit week: Choose a color, a country, an accessory, or a favorite book, and run with it!

Build a family time capsule

Think about everything that makes this year in time significant for your family and begin to assemble items for a time capsule. Drawings, predictions, handprints or measurements, or the recipe for a favorite dish are all great additions. If you’re up for it, allow the kids to dig a big hole in the backyard where it can be buried. Sealing a plastic pencil case in a gallon-size Ziploc bag will help protect it from moisture. Be sure to host a dramatic burial of the time capsule and make a plan (and map) for when it will be dug up!

In-house reading competition

Got some avid readers? The competition is on! Track their reading pages during the week to see who comes out on top on Friday. The prize could range from choosing the dessert to picking out a new book from the bookstore.

Dinner and a movie

Choose a family movie and work together to prepare a themed dinner menu. Serve spaghetti and meatballs for “Lady and the Tramp” or bake up some sliced zucchini, eggplant, and squash for “Ratatouille.” For an added layer of interest, you choose the menu and ingredients and see how quickly the kids can guess what the night’s movie will be!