Everyone’s schedule has been disrupted, and the recent changes arrived right around the same time as spring break. Unfortunately, many families have cancelled vacations and spring break plans as a result. On top of that, the switch to remote learning has probably taken some time getting used to! You’re still settling into a routine and exploring what resources are available to you—and that might have cut into break time.
This is disappointing for the whole family, but you can still make up for the lost spring break by creating a “staycation” at home—that is, staying in, but enjoying every second of it, as if it were a vacation.
So set a time (or follow your remote learning schedule, if your child’s school is providing one) to take an official spring break. Cancel classes and put together a staycation for spring break that’s almost as fun as the real thing.
Here are some staycation ideas to get you started (keep them in mind for summer and long weekends, too!):
Explore New Backyard Activities
Your backyard may not seem like a dream vacation destination, but the possibilities are endless! You can:
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- Build Your Own Waterpark. Is the weather heating up in your hometown? Set up a slip and slide or kiddie pool and pretend you’re at a waterpark!.
- Make a Mess. For cooler but comfortable spring days, you could also get messy with paints and bubbles or even have a silly string or shaving cream fight.
- Plant a Garden. If you have a green thumb (or even if you don’t!), Spring is a great time to plant a garden. Decide as a family what you want to grow and plan out your backyard garden. You can even paint your own pots and containers during your spring break staycation for an added bit of artistic activity.
- Build a Museum. Explore the backyard with your child and find interesting rocks, branches, flowers, even discarded toys! Set them up into an outdoor museum and have your child act as the tour guide.
- Host Garden Games. From an old-fashioned three-legged race to a talent show, get creative with how you spend your outdoor time.
Getting outside, even if it’s just the backyard, can help boost your family’s mood substantially.
Throw a Themed Party
Did you have a trip to Florida planned? Maybe you were going to visit a cabin on a lake? Think about the vacation you’re missing and throw a theme party night based on that destination!
For example, if your family missed a Hawaiian vacation, you could throw an island party, complete with homemade grass skirts, ukelele music, leis, and tropical drinks. If you’re heartbroken over the camping vacation you had to postpone, have a camping party at home—pitch a tent and make s’mores! If you have a special occasion like a birthday or holiday coming up, theme parties are just one way to have a celebration during social distancing.
Explore Old Photo Galleries
If you can’t go on a new trip, it’s always fun to go through old photos and reminisce about past vacations you’ve taken as a family. This is a great way to remember that this time of social distancing and quarantine is only temporary and you’ll be able to have adventures as a family again soon.
If your photos are currently disorganized you might consider making them into scrapbooks documenting each trip. There are lots of creative ideas for scrapbooks available online—check out this website for inspiration.
Schedule a Digital Reunion
Technology isn’t just for remote learning. Use it to host a digital family reunion during your spring break staycation! There are a wealth of platforms available for this, like Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Hangouts. Video chat with family members far away or even local friends you and your kids can’t see in person right now.
Even if you’re not physically together, you can still play games like Yahtzee or charades during your reunion. You could also have a “show and tell” session where kids share something special to them.
Host A Baking Bonanza
Getting creative in the kitchen is always a good time. And luckily, the baking possibilities are nearly limitless! You could try baking your own bread, having a cupcake decorating contest, or creating a themed meal (like a medieval feast). An added bonus is that baking and cooking involve lots of math and spatial thinking, so you’re getting some academics in while you’re having fun.
Making the Most of Your Staycation for Spring Break
Whatever activities you choose, keep it fun, lighthearted, and positive. Joy and optimism are so important right now, and you all deserve a memorable staycation! Keep in mind that it really all should be fun, so don’t put too much emphasis on making it perfect.
Happy spring!
