By Amy Johnson, MSW
Diligent Joy Parent Coaching and Education
Spring is officially here, and with it comes Spring Break. For many families, budgets are tight. If you are hanging around for your child’s spring break and want some adventure and fun, check out these ideas.
Whichever you choose, be sure to involve your family and children (above age 7) in the planning. Give choices that you can afford and make time for, but remember that having input helps children have more ownership of the activity. Consider having the child who chose the activity act as a “guide for the day” and point out the cool things the activity has to offer. Taking time together can be a wonderful way to bond as a family. Do some planning ahead—is your family one where everyone likes to try new things or likes the comfort of old favorites? Are you adventurous vacationers or relaxers? Keep these in mind while planning.
Even if you can’t afford the money or time to fly across the country to a resort or fancy hotel, consider spending one or two nights in a nice hotel nearby. Some offer stay-cation specials, so be sure to ask. Pick one with a pool or spa and treat yourself to some fun and relaxation.
City Pass offers admission to several local city attractions at about half the cost you’d pay for separate admissions. Passes are good for nine days from the first day you use them. Plus, you can often skip admission lines, because you’ll already have your ticket. Check it out!
Plan a family movie marathon. Check out Film Fun for the Whole Family for ideas of films for the different ages in your house. Pop some popcorn, make a blanket tent, and chill out. You might make up a rating sheet with categories on it: Best actor, Best actress, Most Funny, Most Meaningful, etc. or simply rate the movies from one to ten after watching. Talk about what you liked or didn’t like about the movie and why. What was your favorite part? Least favorite part? What kind of alternate ending might you create if you were the director?
Go green!
- Visit a local nature center.
- Start a garden in your backyard. Depending on what area you live it and what you’re planting, you may want to start some of your garden varieties inside until it gets warmer at night.
- Go for a hike. Check out this site for some recommended books with hikes in your area.
Having fun as a family doesn’t have to break the budget. Put some thought into your these activities, and increase the chances for a fun Spring Break!
Amy Johnson, MSW, is a Coach, Educator, and Trainer in the Pacific Northwest. She is co-author of the book, “Parenting by Strengths: A Parent’s Guide for Challenging Situations.” Amy facilitates classes and workshops in the Puget Sound area and online. She specializes in working with parents and also in sexuality education
