It’s almost spring break, a much-needed break for traditional and homeschooling teachers. Along with conventional students and homeschooling students. Many of us dream of heading to a tropical destination to bask in the warm sun while sipping Pina Coladas and listening to the sound of the ocean waves. While a tropical vacation may remain a dream, for now, spring break on a budget can still be fun.
Fun ideas for spring break on a budget.
Visit museums.
Did you know that during spring break/March break, many museums offer discounted or even free activities to help keep kids learning and entertained? While you may have to pay an admission fee to enter the museum, the fun activities are well worth it. Not to mention, when the activities are complete, you can explore the museum with your child. To prepare, you can look up museums in your city or a city near you. Then check into the activities that they have planned for spring break! Super affordable and straightforward.
Have a scavenger hunt.
The weather is warming up, so get outside for a fun scavenger hunt! Don’t worry; you don’t even need to plan anything out. Print off this Fun Scavenger Hunt by CBC Kids, grab some pencils, bundle up, and head outside! Once you’ve completed the scavenger hunt, you can stop at the local coffee shop for some nice hot chocolate to warm up.
Go tobogganing.
If you live in a colder climate, you probably still have some snow at this time of the year. This is perfect for outdoor fun and will tire your kids out while giving them fun memories to cherish forever. And if you actively participate in tobogganing, the cardio from going up the hill will also benefit you!
Make some fun crafts!
Most kids get joy from creating and crafting. There’s something so fun about having supplies and a billion ideas about what you will do with them. Letting your kids freestyle when it comes to crafting can be fun. However, having a plan for crafting time can also be very beneficial. Don’t worry; finding crafts to do is as simple as popping on Pinterest and typing in ‘easy crafts.’ Remember to hit the local craft store to get some essential crafting supplies.
Crafting supplies, you need to keep in your home for spring break on a budget:
- Coffee filters
- Paper plates
- Paper cups
- Popsicle/wooden craft sticks
- Toilet paper rolls/paper towel rolls
- Styrofoam balls
- Buttons
- PomPoms
- Beads
- String
- Pipe cleaners
- Feathers
- Rocks
- Yarn
- Tape
- Glue
- Markers
- Card stock
- Construction paper
- Magnets
- Google eyes
- Washable paint
- Paintbrushes
- Tissue boxes
- Egg cartons
- Clothespins
Check out a Maple Sugar Bush.
If the weather cooperates, a sugar bush near you is likely in full operation. Many sugar bushes offer tours during Spring break. This will allow your family to take a guided tour to learn about the unique process of making maple syrup. Most sugar bushes offer free parking and admission, so research the best one to visit for your family.
Go for a free swim at a local pool.
Many local community pools offer free swims during spring break. That means that you can take your kids for some fun splashing activities for free. Find out if your local community centre is hosting a free swim.
Attend a free ice skating event.
Many communities offer free ice skating events during spring break also. Some community centres have ice skating rentals, so if you don’t have a pair, check in first!
Head to the library.
Libraries are great places to visit at any time of the year, especially during spring break. Most libraries offer free activities, crafts, reading sessions, and more. Check into your local library’s schedule and see when these activities occur. And make sure to pick up some fascinating reading material for your learners while you’re there.
Have a make-your-own pizza night and taco night.
On two different evenings, you can have two separate celebrations! One night could be make-your-own pizza night and the other make-your-own taco night! Get your kids to prepare the toppings for your pizza and taco nights. Then let them choose what they’d like to put on theirs! Make it even more fun by using a map to look up countries where Pizza and Tacos are popular options. And learn some fascinating facts about these places while you enjoy your meal.
Let your kids write and perform a play.
Tell your kids that they can create a one-of-a-kind performance. Their timeline: At the beginning of the week, they can start dreaming up their plans, working together to make them great, and coming up with a script and costumes. By the end of the week: it’s showtime! Have a cherished family member or two and friends attend. Make sure to record their play for future memory purposes.
Have an indoor pool party.
I promise this isn’t as scary as it sounds. This can work if you have an inflatable or small kid pool. Head to your local dollar store and buy some plastic paint sheets, then spread those down all over the floor and place the pool and an inflatable pool toy you might have. Play some tropical music and vacation snacks. Spend the day lounging by the pool. This would work even better if you have an unfinished basement. Use the bathtub if you don’t have an inflatable or kid pool!
Bake some treats.
Baking together is an excellent way to find entertainment, learn, and share something yummy. Bake some banana bread, muffins, cookies or bread! And enjoy!
Have a staycation.
Check your family into a local hotel for a one-night staycation if the budget allows. You can utilize the hotel pool, comfy beds, and change of scenery for an affordable price.
Do puzzles and games.
There are so many fun family games and puzzles that you can do over spring break. And some are even available for loan at the local library. Have a family game day with puzzles, popcorn, and games!
Dive into a Special Interest Unit.
Spring break on a budget can be fun with a special interest unit. There are many fun special interest units and novel studies to choose from. Would your child enjoy learning about Bees and Honey? How about Earth Day, Pirates, Spring Activities, or an Evidence Investigation? These and many more Special Interest Units are available on The Schoolio Marketplace!
