5 Spring Break Staycation Ideas
Are you ready for Spring Break, or are you dreading it, like me? Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my children and having my service member take a week off from work, but all the planning and money spending that goes with Spring Break overwhelms me sometimes. This year, I took a different approach and decided we would have a Spring Break Staycation.
I was a little nervous at first. I figured that my family would get sick of each other by day two.
But now, I’m kind of excited. I printed off a weekly calendar to plan all our fun events; I thought themed days would be fun.
Here is an example of what we are going to do during our Spring Break staycation:
Sunday: Sundae Day
Buy every type of topping—pineapple, sprinkles, red hots—and let your imagination take over. Have a contest to see who has the best tasting combination. Make it fun, and don’t forget the chocolate syrup! For an added bonus, have ice cream for dinner that day.
Monday: Movie Day
Who says you have to get dressed? Stay in your pajamas all day. Make a big breakfast, then sit back and relax with your family. We like watching all the Harry Potter movies in order or watching Disney movies. In the afternoon, take a walk with your family and play I Spy. You can also check your local community and see if they do movies in the park.
Tuesday: Tourist Day
Military families have a great opportunity to live in some pretty amazing places. One thing we try to do is visit all the neat places before it’s time to move. We do at least one Tourist Day each month. Check out what your city has to offer. This Spring Break, we’re going to the San Antonio Missions, then watching a Missions game (minor league baseball). Be creative! Don’t just visit a zoo or a museum—think outside the box.
Wednesday: Wacky Fun Day
I’ve planned some fun craft ideas for my kids today. One thing I’m really excited is Kool Aid paint. Imagine the possibilities! Then, we’ll be making Easter-themed sugar cookies, with eggs and bunnies. We’ll keep all the color going by adding dye to my toddler’s water table, while my older daughter and I plant flowers. Finally, we’ll make pinecone bird feeders. If you can’t find pine cones, you can use a paper towel or toilet paper roll.
Thursday: Outdoor Day
We have a local lake nearby, so we plan to take the girls fishing and hiking. While out, we’ll do an outdoor scavenger hunt to maintain the fun and keep them motivated. If that isn’t the right fit for your family, you could hold a field day with your family and neighbors or plan a picnic to a local park.
Friday: Camp Out
No campground needed! Put some tents in the backyard, get some wood for a fire, and don’t forget the s’mores. This is a great way to leave all electronics inside and just relax and enjoy making memories with your kids. For dinner, make it a cook out and make as much food as you can on the grill. Try foil packs.
Saturday: Free Day
It will be the last day before using Sunday to prep for the return to work and school. You might be beat from the fun week you just had, so enjoy spending time with your family. We have a day trip planned to the beach if the weather cooperates.
For those little moments in between, when kids are waiting for you to set up, or the fun is over for the day, one of my greatest tricks is called the I’m Bored Jar.
The best advice I can give you for Spring Break is to keep it simple, be flexible (things happen), and enjoy yourself. If you’re working during that week, look into day camps for your children. Check your local Boys and Girls Clubs, installation activities, or your local YMCA. No need to stress over Spring Break or taking a vacation, when you can have a staycation!
What ideas do you have for a Spring Break Staycation? Share with us in the comments below!
