Fun March Break Activities on a Budget

Cheap (and Fun) Things for Your Kids to do During Spring Break

Mar 3, 2009 Karen Sheviak

March Break is almost here, and you need some fun activities for your kids that won't break the bank. Here's how to keep your kids, and your bank account, happy.

Kids always look forward to a break from school, but as soon as March Break hits, it doesn't take long for choruses of "I'm bored" to ring through the house. Here are some ideas for fun, inexpensive activities for your family.

Activities at Home

Do something out of the ordinary. How about a winter picnic in the backyard, complete with hot chocolate and hot dogs? Kids remember things like that, and you might just start a whole new family tradition. Too cold outside? Think ahead to summer and have an indoor beach party. Beach Boys music, beach balls, fruity drinks and ice cream will remind everyone that warmer weather is on the way.

Fun in the Kitchen

How about getting chores done while including the kids. Find a budding chef in your house. Let each child pick her favorite dinner to have one night, on the condition that she helps cook it. Children will learn something new, and get the satisfaction of creating a tasty treat for the whole family.

Are your children more comfortable in the garden than the kitchen? Then look ahead to spring and grown a few herbs in pots in your kitchen window. Kids will love planting the seeds and digging in the dirt, and you'll love the fresh herbs you'll have for your favorite dishes.

Life (and Spring Break) is a Game

And you can always fall back on the old standbys. Have a games night, but play with retro games that you grew up with, such as Monopoly and Sorry. From Twister to Monopoly, these games stay popular for generations. Or plan an outdoor activity for the whole family. Whether it's tobogganing or skating, it's completely different, and better, for kids when Mom and Dad are falling all over the ice rink or sliding down a hill and wiping out at the bottom.

Chanel their Inner Picasso

Do you usually ban paints from the house because of the mess? Throw down drop sheets, put the kids in old clothes and make an exception. They'll have a blast because it's not something they get to do all the time, and you can relax knowing you've minimized the cleaning you'll have to do later. Schedule bath time for when they're done, and you'll get one more thing out of the way. Toddlers and small children can even paint in the bathtub, so you can clean the kids and the mess at the same time.

March Break for Everyone

Need a break just for you? Trade an afternoon of babysitting with your child's friend's parents. You get a few hours of peace and quiet, and when the kids are at your place later in the week, it takes minimal effort since the kids will be happy just having someone else to play with. After all, spring break should be for you, not just your children!

By choosing a few fun, inexpensive things for your children to do during March Break, you can help them stay active, mentally engaged and creative, almost as if they were at school!

The copyright of the article Fun March Break Activities on a Budget in Kids Activities is owned by Karen Sheviak. Permission to republish Fun March Break Activities on a Budget in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Fun in the Snow, Sioda Fun in the Snow
   
What do you think about this article?

NOTE: Because you are not a Suite101 member, your comment will be moderated before it is viewable.
post your comment
What is 8+8?