Spring Break at Home
Ah, the time of year when it seems everyone is heading somewhere fun…and if you’re in the Midwest or another cooler climate, everyone is heading somewhere with warm weather and sunshine. Here’s a secret though: most people aren’t travelling, at least not far. We are only seeing and hearing about the people doing super awesome things. So what about the rest of us who are hanging out around the home front? What can we do with the days/nights to make it fun and keep our sanity? Here are some of the top ideas from me and the Highest Potential Pathways community:
Check out a downtown area of a neighboring city/town. There are some serious gems just a little bit outside of your usual stomping grounds.
Head to the library! It could be your local library, or one that’s further away (plus, the driving might buy you a couple minutes to drink your coffee hot on the way there or a kid nap on the way back!) There are some really great programs offered at libraries, for free, or you can just have fun exploring a new space.
Children’s Museums or regular ones, depending on age/interest.
Set up some play dates — whether that’s with friends and their kids or inviting grandparents/other relatives to play. We love asking our neighbors, who we consider “bonus grandparents” to play with us to mix things up!
Kid swap! You watch your friend’s/colleague’s/neighbor’s/sibling’s kids, while they take a little break to do something for themselves…then you swap and they watch your kids while you hunt down your sanity. If you’re unable to leave your child with someone else, even just a mini-break in the shower or watching a show in your bedroom while someone watches your child for a bit can be life-giving…and that way you are still close if you’re needed.
Build a fort: get out the boxes and blankets and make a massive fort. Bonus points if you can leave it up for the whole week.
Do a scavenger hunt. There are some games available for purchase that do all the work for you, or if you’re the creative type and have the time: make your own.
“Zoom around the room” — remember COVID virtual schooling days? Tell your child(ren) to “Zoom around the room and find something ____.” They burn some energy running around the room/house finding stuff and you can sit still for a few minutes.
Explore a park or outdoor area nearby.
Craft projects. Go as simple or complex as you like! A personal favorite of mine when I was a kid was using my dad’s shaving cream on a piece of aluminum foil and drawing pictures with my fingers. It’s a great sensory activity for kids and a super easy clean up for parents!
Build in a “quiet time” to each day: read or listen to books, sing songs, do a mini yoga session with your kids.
Start a mini-garden. Now is a great time to plant seeds! Get a little dirty and try your hand at growing your own food.
Head to a local indoor/community pool space. This could be at your local high school or community center, a YMCA, and even some hotels allow you to use their pools for a small fee without having to book a hotel room for the night.
Have a bake off. Let the kids do as much as you are comfortable with (dumping, mixing, cracking eggs, using heat elements). If they are pretty young, allow them to decorate whatever you’ve baked.
Walk around big stores, such as IKEA.
Check out local Zoos or Conservatories.
Do your best to enjoy your time and make memories with your kids….and also try to find pockets of time each day to fill your own cup so the fun can continue.
