Spring break is a time for families to relax and have some fun together but it can be an expensive time of year for families. If you are on a tight budget, it can be difficult to come up with ideas for things to do that are affordable but still fun.
Never fear – we have some great suggestions for you! In this blog post, we will discuss several fun activities that you can do during Spring Break without breaking the bank.
Hike Your Local Trails
If you live in a place with some green space nearby, Spring Break is the perfect time to take advantage of it! Take your family on a hike and enjoy the fresh air.
Spring hiking with kids can be beautiful as flowers start blooming and trees come alive after their winter slumber. Spring hikes are also great because they are not too hot or cold yet but still get everyone out of the house for an adventure together.
Some local parks even offer special events during the Spring so keep an eye out for those opportunities as well. Check with your local park’s website or give them a call if you want more information about what special events or activities might be available near where you live.
Get Crafty Together
Spring is the perfect time for your kids to get creative and make something with their hands! Crafting can allow your child to explore their artistic side and express themselves in a fun way.
There are countless ideas for Spring crafts including suncatchers, flower vases, painted kindness rocks, and so much more. You can find a bunch of crafts and printable ideas on our sister site Crafts and Printables.
If you have multiple children who like different things but want to do something together as a group, this would be an excellent time to try some collaborative art projects.
For example: create a huge painting by having each person paint one designated section. Or make paper flowers together where each person makes one part of the flower such as petals or stems while another person puts it all together.
Spring crafts are a great way to spend your Spring Break together as a family and they won’t cost you much at all. Chances are, you’ll enjoy the benefits of crafting with your family so much that you’ll make it a regular year-round activity.
Plant a Family Garden
If you want to Spring Break activity that will keep giving back all year long, planting a family garden is a great option Spring is a great time to plant flowers, vegetables, and herbs in your yard or even on your balcony if you don’t have a backyard space available.
Gardens can be as simple or complex as you want them to be so it’s easy to make this fit within any budget.
You can use seed packets from big box stores or grocery stores if they are on sale which will help keep costs down but still give everyone an opportunity to participate in growing something together!
Not only is gardening fun and therapeutic, but it can also be educational for your children. Gardening is also a great way for kids to learn about how things grow and how plants need water, sunlight, and soil in order to thrive which makes this a great interactive educational activity as well!
They can learn about plant growth cycles, what different plants need to grow well, beneficial garden insects and more.
Another added bonus of gardening as a Spring Break activity is that you get to eat the fruits (or vegetables) for weeks or even months afterward!
Once your garden starts producing food, you can have homegrown produce all summer long which is a delicious and affordable way to enjoy the season.
Take a Trip to the Library
Libraries are often underrated and overlooked resources. They are free to use and offer a plethora of materials for people of all ages. Libraries usually offer lots of fun activities for kids during the year, such as storytime, arts and crafts sessions, movie screenings, and more.
In addition, libraries have an amazing selection of books, DVDs, audiobooks and other materials that families can check out and enjoy together at home.
Some libraries also offer free admission passes to museums or other attractions nearby as well. Check with your local public library system and see if they offer something.
Set Up a Game of Family Olympics at the Park
This Spring Break, why not set up a family Olympics in your backyard or at the park! This idea is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. Who knows, maybe it will even turn into an annual tradition?
You could have events like tug-of-war, three-legged races, spoon/egg relays (be careful not to crack any eggs though!), hula hoop contests and so much more.
Spring is a great time of year for this activity because it’s still cool enough outside that you won’t sweat too much while running around playing games but warm enough that everyone will enjoy being outside all day long without getting cold.
Try Camping in Your Back Yard
If you are lucky enough to have a backyard, Spring Break is the perfect time to set up a family camp adventure! This can be a fun (and free!) way for your family to enjoy spending time together.
You could each take turns being the “camp counselor” for the day and plan activities like hiking, learning to tie knots, playing camping themed games, telling stories around the campfire (or just sitting around it roasting marshmallows), and more. Play games like flashlight tag with flashlights after dark before bedtime.
You can set up a tent and spend the night outside enjoying the fresh air and sounds of nature. If you don’t have any tents or sleeping bags to camp in your backyard, ask friends and family members if they would be willing to lend them out for the weekend.
Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt
Nature scavenger hunts are a great Spring Break activity for families who love the outdoors.
Spring is beautiful in many parts of the country and it’s also an interesting time to be outside because there are so many new plants, animals, and insects beginning to come out into the world after winter hibernation. Kids can learn about nature while having fun!
Scavenger hunts can take place anywhere -– your backyard, at a local park, or even on your neighborhood street. Simply make up a list with items that you think might be found during Springtime such as seedling plants, butterflies, or even puddles.
Give each child their own list with instructions like “find three different kinds of leaves” or “take a picture of a pink flower.” You can make the hunt as easy or difficult as you want, and it can last for however long you like.
Feel free to make the scavenger hunts themed for an added twist! Some ideas might be a woodland fairy scavenger hunt or you could use this outdoor hiking themed scavenger hunt printable in your back yard or neighborhood.
Be sure to take breaks in between hunts so everyone can rest and snack on some Springtime goodies too. This is a great opportunity to talk about 7 Things Kids Can Do to Help Wild Animals as well!
As you can see, Spring break doesn’t have to be expensive in order to be fun. In fact, it can be quite affordable if you plan ahead and think of creative ways to spend time doing activities with your family. Spring break is meant for fun and relaxation so don’t let money stressors get in the way of enjoying this special time with loved ones!
We hope that these Spring Break ideas will help you and your family have a fun and affordable time together this year!