7 Spring Break Staycation Ideas

Sue Kirchner is a family fun coach, kids party planner, and weekly contributor to Patch.com. Sue and her family fun ideas have been featured on TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs, as well as her own family fun resource blog ChocolateCakeMoments.com.

Staying close to home for Spring Break this year? Good, because you’re going to have a blast. With a little creativity and planning, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the time off with your family. Be careful, your kids may ask to stay home every year.

Here are some fun ideas for your Spring Break staycation:

1. Pajama Day Movie Marathon – Pick a day during the week and stay in your pajamas all day watching movies. Host a movie marathon where everyone in the family gets to choose their favorite movie to watch. Make some popcorn or set up an ice cream sundae bar. For even more movie watching fun, set up a tent in the family room and let the kids watch from their sleeping bags. Watch home movies if you have them. Kids love seeing themselves on film.
2. Camping in the Great Indoors - Now that you've set up the tent for Movie Night, why not camp indoors for some unusual fun? You can make s’mores in the fireplace or over the stove top, sleep in a tent and sleeping bag, and stay up telling stories by flashlight – all in the comfort of your own home.
3. Rediscover your City – Act like a tourist and take some time to visit or revisit your local Museums and tourist attractions. In Chicago, head over to the Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute, or Field Museum for some downtown fun. We recently enjoyed the Chicago History Museum. I’ve lived in the area for over 30 years and had never been. Kidgrade.com and OntheGoChicago.com have some great ideas for things to do that week in the city. Oakleesguide.com and Kidwinks.com have you covered for the suburbs.
4. Indoor Water Parks – You don’t have to go to the beach to get those swimsuits out. Head on over to some of the local area water parks for the day. Check your local family entertainment guides for a list and maybe even reviews of the water parks in your area. Last year, we rented a hotel room for a night and just swam in the hotel pool all evening. Kids LOVED it!
5. A Day in the Kitchen – Spend some time cooking in the kitchen together as a family. Make homemade pizza, bake everyone’s favorite cookies, or pick another country or state you would have liked to visit for Spring Break and cook some of the local food from that place.  Make some Easter treats for the whole family for Easter dinner. These Easter cupcakes my daughter and I made last year were cute, tasty and easy.
6. Craft it up. There are so many cute Easter craft ideas floating around the internet! You could make a new craft each day with the kids, if you want. Check out my Easter Board on Pinterest for some of the cutest craft ideas or check out this unique way to decorate Easter Eggs. If you aren’t in the mood for Easter, check out this super fun Thumb Wrestler Craft. Your kids will spend HOURS on this.
7. Wii Olympics – The Olympic Winter Games may be over but your family can still compete by hosting a Wii Olympics tournament one day or every day of Spring Break. Each day pick a different “sport” and see who’s the best in the family. Invite friends, neighbors, and family members to compete. Make homemade medals and have a mock ceremony to honor the champion.

Most important unplug and have fun. Even though you are home , don’t get distracted by work or home projects. Get out your planner and pick which days to do something special or plan a “treat” for every day of the week.  For more fun ideas to do with the kids or grandkids, check out these Spring family activities. Enjoy!

What does your family have planned for Spring Break?