With spring break around the corner, it’s an ideal time to plan a family vacation. Whether you’re looking for respite from the cold weather or just some good ol’ quality time with your loved ones. As a mom to three young kids, I approach spring break with both trepidation and excitement. I’m excited for family time and freedom to do as we please, but I also feel daunted by the idea of a full and unscheduled week with my kids!
Figuring out exactly what to do for a family spring break vacation is often the hardest part, once you’ve made plans you can enjoy the memory making and adventures with your family. Below I’ve suggested a few fun spring break ideas that your kids will love—and most of them won’t break the bank!
Go camping or hiking as a family
Hiking or camping is the perfect spring break idea and kid friendly activity for families on a budget. And, it’s one that your kids are guaranteed to love! Visit a nearby park, or head to a campground and enjoy nature-filled activities. Some of my favorite family memories involve quiet and curious hikes along family friendly trails, where the kids can explore and we can enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. If you’re hiking with a baby or toddler, I would recommend bringing a carrier, especially one that is comfortable and durable like the Contours Journey 5-in-1 baby carrier so that you can be hands-free and not worry about pushing a stroller on uneven ground.
Visit a ski resort
If you live in an area with a colder climate, or you’re craving fresh snow for your spring break, try visiting a ski resort with your family. Most resorts offer skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and tubing, which means you and your family can enjoy an active and fun week surrounded by snow and adventure. My kids aren’t old enough yet to hit the big slopes, but we love skating and tubing, and always look for resorts that have activities and programs for younger kids, too.
Plan a trip to an amusement park
There’s no shortage of amusement parks in the United States, and many families choose to visit family friendly resorts and amusement parks over their spring break. Popular resorts include Orlando’s Disney World, Pennsylvania’s Sesame Place, and California’s Knott’s Berry Farm. Pro tip : Always makes sure to pack a portable and compact stroller to help navigate the long hours at busy amusement parks.
Enjoy a relaxing and fun staycation
You don’t need to go anywhere to have a fun break with your family. There’s plenty of fun ideas for local adventure and relaxing time at home. Families can enjoy day trips to nearby museums, children’s play centers, or movie theatres. At home, you can enjoy baking, playing, reading, or take on a project you’ve been putting off for months. That said, spring break doesn’t need to be about being constantly busy. I always look forward to putting my feet up and relaxing for a couple of days.
Volunteer together
Spending some time together volunteering as a family is a wonderful way to bond, and teach kids about empathy and compassion for others. Whether you make soup at home to bring to a soup kitchen, work together at a community farm, or help sort donations at a donation center, there’s plenty of age appropriate volunteer opportunities during spring break and year round.
Visit a children’s museum
Learning doesn’t have to stop during the break, and a children’s museum is the perfect way to incorporate fun and experiential learning into your week off as a family. Many cities offer museums geared towards providing enjoyable educational experiences for kids.
Drive to the beach
Depending on your location, or how far you’re willing to drive, a trip to the beach is a relaxing family getaway. Some of our family’s favorite memories are from times spent at the beach, there are endless ways to enjoy your time together by the water.
Take a trip to visit friends or family
Looking for a budget-friendly get-away? Consider visiting family or friends for a few nights. Our family loves sleepovers at the grandparents and even though it’s only an hour away, it still feels like a mini vacation to drive and spend time together. I always pack our compact and ultra-light Bitsy®Elite Travel stroller, it’s great for a family walk through the neighborhood, or an afternoon strolling through the mall.
Now that you’ve got some ideas for your spring break it’s time to create some lasting memories as a family—enjoy and have fun!
This article is written by our contibuting writer — Brianna Bell.
