13 Ways to Make Spring Break Epically Fun When You're Staying Home

Updated on 2/28/2019 at 11:30 AM

If you don't have the time or resources to plan a big Spring break vacation this year, you're not alone! Lots of families are choosing to stay closer to home during school breaks to save money and explore their own backyards for a change. But just because you're not flying off to a tropical destination doesn't mean the kids need to be bored all week.

There are tons of fun and exciting things you can do to make Spring break, no matter where it is, feel elevated and special. All you need to do is think a little outside the box and plan ahead, and the kids will be surprised at the epic plans you make right in your own backyard!

Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

While volunteering might not sound fun at first, the kids will be be psyched when you tell them they'll be working with animals all day. Check your local animal shelter where you can volunteer your time as a family, and have loads of fun while giving back with your animal-loving kids!

Enroll the Kids in Camp

Check your local listings to see if there are any day camps during the week of break. City recreation departments and places like the YMCA offer some great programs for kids. Especially if you have to work, it gives them a chance to enjoy themselves and stay active.

Book a Night at a Local Hotel

Is there a local hotel that has a great pool area near your house? Pack your bags, and get ready for a fun adventure! Even staying at a hotel right down the street can feel like a getaway, and your little ones will have a blast ordering room service after splashing around in the indoor pool area.

Bring Your Kids to Work

You'll need to get permission from your boss first, but taking your kids to work can be a lot of fun for them. The new environment and getting to do "adult" things can be really exciting for the kids, so plan ahead and create fun tasks for them to get done during the day (maybe help them bake cookies the night before to deliver to everyone's desks!).

Hit the Slopes

While Spring break might make you think of warmer temperatures of sandy beaches, it's actually the perfect time to hit the slopes! Take a day trip to the closest ski resort, and say goodbye to Winter with one last snowy adventure (complete with hot chocolate). An added bonus is that most places have nighttime tubing that's fun for the whole family!

Have Ice Cream For Lunch (and Switch Up All Other Meals)

You might seem like a nag trying to get the kids to eat healthy all the time, so surprising them with an ice cream date for lunch will be a real treat. Find a place that lets them make their own sundaes or that offers lots of extra toppings. But don't stop there! Turn their worlds upside down for a week by having breakfast for dinner, dessert at noon, etc. The change in routine will be so much fun for them (and you!).

Camp in Your Backyard

Backyard camping is a lot of fun for the whole family. Pitch a tent, make a little bonfire, bring some food to cook outdoors, gather up some games, and you're in for an entire night building memories. Plus, if the kids get scared, you're right in your own backyard!

Plan a Scavenger Hunt

You can keep it inside your own house or venture out into town. Separate into teams, and take off on an adventure-packed scavenger hunt with a fun prize at the end. If some of their friends are also in town for the break, include them for an epic day of exploring.

Host a Sleepover

You probably won't get much sleep if you let the kids have their friends sleepover, but they'll be superexcited! Get them a few movies to watch, and fill up the pantry with junk food. But if you want to take things a step further, theme the night around something they love, whether it's bringing back Christmas for a night, turning your basement into a Disney wonderland, or creating an outdoor movie theater complete with a projector and large sheet.

Give Their Room a Makeover

Has your child outgrown their bedroom decór? Have you been promising them to upgrade their room? Spring break is the perfect time to plan that bedroom makeover. It can be a family project, with them helping to pick out colors and fun knick-knacks to display.

Teach Them Something New

You might not be jet skiing on the Caribbean Sea, but you can help them do something they've been dreaming about for a while now. Teach them how to ice skate, ride a bike, bake something, or play a sport. Whatever sparks your family's interest, Spring break is a perfect time to make it happen.

Give Them Special One-on-One Time

If you're feeling bad that the kids seem to have nothing special to do during the break, plan a special day. Take a day off work that's all about them! Take them for manicures, a ball game, a movie day, what have you. They'll love getting your undivided attention for the day, and you'll create lasting memories.

Try a New Restaurant

Is there a local restaurant you've been wanting to try? Have the kids been bugging you about taking them to dinner at that cool new place everyone is talking about? Make those reservations, and eat up!