15 Cheap (or Free) Spring Break Activities for Kids
For a lot of parents, spring break is finally the one week you can throw all the schedules out the window and do whatever you want.
I want to do a little of that. But I also want to make sure I have some things for us to do throughout the week. I’m never one to spend a lot of money on activities for the kids, but this year I’m trying to stay within a serious budget in hopes of paying off a lot of our debt. So everything I plan this week will be free or super cheap.
Below I’ve made a list of some of our favorite things to do during spring break.
Go to the beach
Not everyone lives near a beach, but if you do it is THE place to be during spring break. Even if it end up being a 1 or 2 hour drive, I’d say its still worth it. Spending one day at the beach is my favorite thing to do.
If you don’t live near the beach, think about lakes that may be near you. A lot of lakes have sandy shores. My friends in Kentucky often take a day trip to the lake to satisfy their beach craving without having to drive 12 hours and pay for a hotel room.
Go to the park
Sometimes going to the park for a big portion of the day is all kids need to break up the monotony of spring break week. Consider going to a park you don’t usually frequent. Maybe there’s a state park nearby that offers some activities for the family. It doesn’t have to be extravagant to be fun.
Hiking
If you decide to head to a state park, make sure you take advantage of their hiking trails. Even smaller kids can enjoy a short trail. Make it fun by pointing out new plants and animals or make a list and have a scavenger hunt to find specific items in nature.
Have a picnic
Picnics can be fun and easy. A few sandwiches, drinks, and some fresh fruit is all you really need to have a successful picnic. You can have a picnic at any of the above three places, but you can also have a picnic in your backyard. Maybe go to a grandparent’s or favorite aunt’s house and include someone special in your picnic.
Go camping
Camping can be an inexpensive family activity, depending on how you do it. I’m not talking about glamping, with all your fancy extras. I’m talking about bologna sandwiches and off brand chips; the kind of camping we did as kids.
I’ll be honest here. I don’t love camping. But my kids do. And if you can’t quite fit camping into your spring break schedule but have some older kids, they can go camping in the backyard. I remember doing this with my friends as a teen and it was always so fun!
Homemade ice cream
If you have an ice cream maker, that’s awesome. If not, you can let the kids make their own ice cream by hand. I’ve done this a couple of ways but the easiest is using sandwich bags and letting the kids shake the bags until the ingredients form ice cream.
The kids always love eating their creations. I’ve also used coffee cans (instead of sandwich bags) for preschool kids. Check out my post here for instructions.
Cook together
Find a fun, kid friendly recipe and let the kids help you make a special treat in the kitchen. Bigger kids love to be able to make something all on their own, so maybe let them take control of the actual project while you’re there to ensure food safety and to provide the jokes. Either way, you’ll all enjoy whatever yummy thing out of it.
Have fun around a campfire
Every now and then I love to build a campfire in the backyard and let the kids roast hotdogs and marshmallows over the fire. I bring whatever condiments we need out to the patio so everything we need is right there. But no matter what’s for dinner, there will always be s’mores.
Go to the library
Going to the library can be fun for kids of all ages. Most libraries have areas for smaller kids where they can play while bigger kids have the option of reading, puzzles, and computer games. As an added bonus, many libraries have special events and activities during spring break.
Go to the zoo
Ok. So the zoo isn’t free. But it is fun. And if you can take advantage of special pricing or group discounts that’s even better. Make sure you plan for the weather and use sunscreen no matter what. Zoo trips also get automatically cheaper if you take your lunch instead of eating in the food court.
Check out a museum
There is such a varied range of museums out there, from children’s museums to historical museums to art museums. Not only are there so many options but many of them are very inexpensive or even free. Check out their memberships if you absolutely love it. A membership can save you a ton of money if you plan on going often.
Do a craft
Almost any craft will keep kids busy and happy during spring break. Have a mini painting party where each child paints their own canvas. Build a birdhouse. Tie-dye some t-shirts. Or include them in a diy or home project you’re doing. Regardless of what it is, seeing the finished product will be rewarding for everyone.
Movie Night
Pick a special movie to watch for spring break. You can watch it on your family tv even or outside if you have a projector. Make lots of snacks, have lots of popcorn and snuggle in for a few hours of movie watching. We do this fairly often in my family and I love it so much.
Try to find a movie that 1) the kids haven’t already seen in school and 2) will also appeal to the teenagers because they WILL ditch you on movie night if they’re bored.
Scavenger Hunt
You can make this as hard or as easy as you want. You can tailor it for any age child or make a few different versions to accommodate all your age groups. If you really want to keep them busy for a while include something hard to find, like a four-leaf clover. Instant quiet.
Board games
This one seems too easy to name, but the truth is that even those of us (me!) who have a closet full of board games rarely get the time to play them without feeling rushed. Take some time and finally play those games your kids are always asking you about.
Spring Break is only one week
Remember that it’s only one week. Don’t fill your schedule so full that you don’t actually get some rest. The kids need rest, too. As soon as they get back to school they’ll be reviewing all their lessons and getting ready for their year-end tests.
Make sure they’re getting plenty of time to wind down and to just play without having an agenda. And try not to blow bed-time during this week or they’ll start their week back to school exhausted.
Have a great spring break friends!
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
Isaiah 40:31
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.