25 Fun Spring Break Activities

Spring break is right around the corner, which often leaves us parents scrambling to figure out what to do with the kids. Maybe you are lucky enough to be planning your favorite trip to Disney or are headed to the Bahamas, in which case I am extremely jealous of you. But, if you are like me, you are looking for things to do close to home that don’t break the bank. So, here are some relatively cheap ideas for spring break activities:

1. Parks & trails

Sick of your kid staring at a screen all day during spring break? Walking trails are a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, get some exercise, and give their eyes a rest. We are fortunate in North Carolina to have tons of easy walking greenways close-by. It is a free way to get out and enjoy some disconnected time together.

Even though school might be out, you can often still utilize their playgrounds (just check to be sure in your area). There are also numerous public parks and playgrounds where your little one can run off some extra energy. I recommend trying to get outside for a little bit every day just as they would during normal school hours.

Hot Tip: Download the free app, All Trails, which has a large collection of trail maps for hiking, biking, and more. You can search based on distance from your home, difficulty, and length.

2. Picnic

Make your trip to the park extra special by planning a picnic. This doesn’t need to be fancy unless you want to take it the extra mile. Simple sandwiches, a bag of chips, and some fruit will do just fine. Just be sure to pack a large blanket to sit on and find a shady spot under a tree.

3. Museum

Search for free public museums nearby to you. Your children will love any sort of natural history museum where they can see old dinosaur bones or gemstones. Plus, it is a great way to keep your kids learning even while on spring break. Kid museums are also great for allowing your kids to explore different sensory items and burn some energy. Check out my crazy strong kiddo pumping iron below at the kids museum in Raleigh.

4. Cook a meal together

Getting your child involved in cooking dinner can be a great activity, especially if you have a picky eater. They are more likely to get excited about eating healthy if they are involved in the process. When my kids help out, they are sure to let everyone know “I made that!” a million times while eating dinner.

Obviously, use your judgment in finding age appropriate ways for your child to participate. My kids love the ability to add seasonings to a sauce or stirring and sautéing anything on the stove. It was a big step when my teenager finally felt comfortable taking a baking sheet out of the oven. Little hands can even help chop items using these special kid friendly knives.

5. Game night

My son often reminds me how much he liked when the power went out in our house because it turned into a game night lit by candles. Gather a bunch of different board games and let your kids pick which game they want to play. I personally do everything to avoid the never-ending game of Monopoly, but more power to you if that game is up your alley. Instead, try fun classics like Jenga, Sorry, UNO, or one of my favorites, Pop-o-matic Trouble.

6. Movie night

If you have read any of my other posts, you probably know I LOVE a themed movie night. Themed movie nights coordinate a meal based on the setting of the movie or perhaps some featured meal they eat in it. We have done gumbo for Princess and the Frog, 1950s meatloaf for Back to the Future, and chocolate fondue for Willy Wonka.

You don’t need to do a whole big themed meal to make a special movie night though. Grab some popcorn, indulge in some movie theater box candy, and pop in your favorite movie. One time we made movie night extra fancy by simply hanging some twinkle lights and piling up a bunch of pillows and blankets.

7. Bake cookies or a cake

I absolutely love baking and I have thankfully managed to give that bug to my kids as well. We love making brownies, cookies, or trying the occasional new creative recipe. Baking together is a great way for your kid to learn how to follow a recipe and read directions. My son is currently learning fractions in math class at school; so baking is also a great way to see some real world applications of math.

My daughter specializes in brownies and has now learned to make them entirely on her own. She likes to get creative by trying different flavors like lavender or coffee. My son has also been able to follow a cookie recipe all by himself, just needing help to put them in the oven. Our favorite part, of course, is always the taste testing that needs to happen. If you want to avoid eating a dozen cookies yourself, invite some friends over to make it a baking day!

Need some baking ideas? Check out my sugar free chocolate chip cookies or my favorite key lime pie from Pi Day!

8. Flashlight hide & seek

This indoor game is quick and easy and a favorite for our kids. Allow your kids to stay up a little past their bedtime when it starts to get dark out. Break up into teams with everyone getting their own flashlight. It is a typical game of hide and seek, but the added element of waiting in the dark to be found makes it that much more exciting. Also, feel free to be like our family by jumping out and and scaring each other. Just be sure to establish some rules if needed like no going outside or anywhere else off limits.

9. Art day

Crafts are great for a rainy day when you cannot get outside. If you need some inspiration, check out Pinterest for some age appropriate art ideas. Be sure to join in on the mess and enjoy painting or drawing with your kids. You can pick up some cheap art supplies like crayons and coloring books at your nearest dollar store.

10. Water Activities

If the weather is nice, spend your days outside with various water activities. Help your fellow parents out by inviting other kids over for an epic water balloon or squirt gun battle. You can also set up a slip ‘n’ slide or a sprinkler obstacle course. If you have a trampoline, place a sprinkler underneath for double the fun.

11. Visit grandparents

Give yourself a break and send your kids to visit their grandparents! This can be a special treat for both you and the kids. They will get spoiled and have popsicles for breakfast and you will get to sleep in. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you need a mental break, so don’t feel guilty for relying on some help from your family. Most grandparents are happy to spend the time with their grandkids so it is a win-win for everyone.

12. Backyard camping

Enjoy a night under the stars for free! Set up a tent in the backyard and bring out the flashlights. The benefit of camping in your backyard is you don’t have to go far for a bathroom. Make the night extra special by roasting s’mores on a fire pit. If it’s too cold to camp outside, try putting up some twinkle lights in your kid’s room and camp inside instead!

13. Cookout

Going along with the outdoor theme, enjoy a fun cookout filled with hamburgers and hot dogs. Create a fun playlist and invite friends over for a good time. You can also set up some yard games like ladder ball or cornhole.

14. Watch YouTube videos

I personally am not a fan of YouTube at all. I don’t understand why kids enjoy watching others play video games or open toys, but they do. So, make it extra special for them and get in on the action. Cue up some silly cat videos or show them the viral classics, like “Charlie bit my finger“. I’m not saying make a whole day out of watching YouTube, but enjoy all the snuggles and silly giggles you can.

15. Have a dance party

Blast music throughout the house and get your kid up and dancing. Go all out by putting on your best outfit or get some cheap strobe lights. Make it a dance competition and show off your best running man or sprinkler moves.

16. Sidewalk chalk

Sidewalk chalk is a great way to get outside and creatively express yourself. Play a game of hopscotch or just draw whatever comes to mind. You can also give back to your community and ask your local hospital or fire department if you could add some positivity to their sidewalks. It would be sure to brighten their day.

17. Spa day

Treat yourself and your children to a spa day! You can get a basic manicure for relatively cheap or you can do your own at home. Spa day must-haves include face masks, soothing music, and nail polish. Buy some sheet masks from the store or experiment making your own. Click here are some “recipes” for DIY face masks. You can also try these bubble face masks that are sure to have you and your kid laughing. If you have tried these, let me know in the comments below!

18. Ice cream

When isn’t a good time for ice cream? Seriously, ice cream will always rank on my list of top favorite foods. Surprise your kid with a trip to a local ice cream shop and you will make their day. Let them try all the flavors and treat them to something you wouldn’t normally let them get, like that oversized banana split you know they won’t finish.

19. Thrift shopping

I always love shopping but hate the price tag that can sometimes come along with it. Make it an adventure and go thrift shopping instead. Help your kid clean out their closet to find clothes or toys to donate and then go for a little thrift shopping together. It is a great way to teach your child about sustainability and donating.

20. Go-karts & miniature golf

Look for a local fun park where you can go miniature golfing or go-karting. Our local spot offers discounts during weekdays so it can be a great activity for spring break.

21. Day at the lake

During a warm spring day, head over to a nearby lake for a fun day on the water. Public beaches are a great spot for kids to swim around or you can rent a kayak or canoe and explore on the water. Make sure you remember to bring a life jacket for your little one!

22. Escape room

This is a little more expensive of an activity (typically $25-30 per person), but it is totally worth it. My family absolutely loves an escape room. The basic premise is you are “locked” in a room and need to search for clues and solve puzzles to escape within the hour time limit. So, it is a great lesson in communicating and working together to solve a problem. Whether you escape or not, your family will keep talking about it for days to come and want to sign up for another right away.

23. Go to the zoo

Going to the zoo is a must-do spring break activity! Kids absolutely love watching and learning about animals. Bonus points if it is a petting zoo that allows your kids to touch and feed the animals.

24. Beach day

Pack up all your gear – bathing suits, towels, beach chairs, umbrella, and sand toys! If you live near a beach, spend the day allowing your kids to run in the water and get some sand between their toes. Make it extra special by not telling your kids where you are going until you get there!

25. Take a train ride

This is one thing that we actually haven’t done yet, but I plan to knock it out this spring break. My son wants nothing more than to go on a real train ride. While we likely won’t go anywhere significant, it is a fun experience just to get on the train for a little. Amtrak offers numerous routes for extremely reasonable prices. Plan to take a day trip just to a nearby city and grab lunch for a quick activity.

What is your favorite spring break memory? Any must-do activities I should add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!