After a full year of the pandemic, so many of us are more tired than usual of teaching and learning. It may be tempting to keep on full steam ahead and use spring break to catch up on academics, but the reality is that breaks from work and school routines are critical to academic success and mental health. Teachers, students, and parents alike should feel free to enjoy Spring Break 2021 without guilt.
The Problem
It’s time for a break…but where is an appropriate place to vacation during a pandemic? With restrictions still in place, many adults still unvaccinated, and social distancing concerns still on parents’ minds, they may want to avoid traditional destinations and high traffic areas like Disney World Florida.
The Solution
We’ve found five spring break destinations or activity options that allow the whole family to spend time together. To avoid COVID-19 safety concerns, the goal is to find places that support outdoor adventures and provide fresh air and open spaces. 
1) Ski Resorts
Kids who missed out on snow days this year can try winter sports like skiing or snowboarding. These sports are often available in the springtime in Vermont, Utah, and Colorado, and most resorts offer beginner lessons. Look for places that are kid friendly with a dedicated learning area and gentle slopes away from serious skiers. Our friend Christina Tondevold from Build Math Minds loves to take her family skiing. Christina recently stated, “my whole family [all 4 of the kids and myself and my husband] ski. It is an amazing social distancing activity that the whole family can do together.”
2) Local Farms
Farms are a perfect choice for families with a love of animals and nature. You could pick from apple orchards or take a behind-the-scenes tour. Goat farms are all the rage these days and many offer experiences like outdoor movies with goats, yoga with goats, or even breakfast with goats! Horseback riding lessons are another fun, active choice, and many horse farms also allow tours and meet and greets with the other farm animals. Farms are a great option because you can look for one in your own area or an area you’re visiting on vacation.
3) Home Rentals
Home rentals through sites like Airbnb or VRBO allow you to have a staycation away from home. Rentals can be a better option than hotels for many families because they allow for more space to spread out and are often pet-friendly to allow for furry family members to travel, too. You can bring your own groceries to save money by cooking in rather than eating out. To keep this option COVID-safe, you’ll want to look for a rental within a short drive, so you can take a road trip with only members of your own household. This is safer than airports and planes during the pandemic. Choose a location that has lots to do around the city so you can have some short trips out of the house each day. Another bonus of home rentals is that you can extend the stay beyond spring break if children are in a remote learning situation.
4) State Parks
The United States has thousands of state parks! They offer hundreds of acres, plenty of green space, and lots of attractions. If your family is interested in hiking, most state parks have a variety of trails that vary in length and difficulty so you can find something for everyone. Others have guided tours or plant and animal identification walks to entertain the whole family! If you’re a particularly rugged family, many state parks offer car camping or wilderness camping options to spend a few nights in the great outdoors. Many state parks are free, and even campsite rentals are very inexpensive, making state parks another affordable spring break destination. A particularly fun state park is the 250-acre White River State Park in Indianapolis, which is the only cultural urban state park in America and features the Indianapolis Zoo.
5) Backyard Bonanza
This option is definitely cheaper than Disney World tickets! If your work schedule forces you to stay home or finances don’t allow for a trip this year, you can play backyard games and enjoy a staycation. To make this an even more exciting option for your family, come up with some new ideas for the backyard. You could add a trampoline, a slip-and-slide, or even simple sidewalk chalk to add some novelty to your backyard. Looking for even more staycation ideas? Check out a previous blog post and get inspired to plan one for your family.
Resources to Help
We’ve found a few resources that will add even more fun to your Spring Break! Body Bumpers:These fun toys allow kids to bump into each other safely! Similar to the sumo wrestling games you see at baseball games and events, dress your kids up in these inflatable suits, open up the backyard, and let them have fun rolling and bumping! Car Scavenger Hunt: This fun card game will keep your family entertained on long car trips! Similar to I Spy, each card features a challenge of something to look for on the road. You can play with your kids, or just let them enjoy it with each other! No matter what you choose, there are plenty of spring break destinations for families that can allow for a safe, relaxing time away.
