Spring Break at Home: Simple & Fun Ways to Make It Magical
Lots of tips for mamas!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for spending Spring Break at home!
We don’t usually take big trips for Spring Break, but this is the first time in a while that we didn’t go anywhere—and with Dad working, it felt different. At the start of the week, I had all sorts of ideas for what we might do, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how it all played out! I kept little notes throughout the week about what we did and how we made it special, and I wanted to share them in case you’ll be spending some (or all!) of Spring Break at home too.
Honestly, this week had major summer break vibes, so tuck these ideas away for the end of May too, mama!
✿Before the Week Starts:
Set expectations. Talk as a family about what to look forward to—what days will be “home days,” which activities you might do, and anything special on the agenda.
Make a food list. Write down what snacks and meals are available, print it out, and stick it on the fridge. We did this, and it saved me from answering a hundred “What’s for lunch?” questions.
Stock up on groceries. Do a quick store run and maybe grab something fun you don’t normally get.
Plan playdates or dinners. If you want to meet up with friends, get it on the calendar early!
✿Fun Ideas for At-Home Days:
Create a “hotel breakfast.” On the first morning of Spring Break, I put out a “continental breakfast” spread, complete with fancy cups for OJ and chocolate milk. The girls thought it was so fun!
Bake together. We made banana chocolate chip muffins, but any baking project works!
Set up morning surprises. Before the kids wake up, lay out puzzles, games, or art supplies—no announcement needed. It’s like magic!
Open something “new.” Any unopened Christmas gifts, craft kits, or activity sets? Now’s the time to pull them out.
Print fun activities. My girls love printed word searches, coloring pages, and scavenger hunts. I just search Pinterest and print a bunch at home.
Encourage imaginative play. Set up a pretend restaurant, airplane, dance contest, or fashion show.
Get outside! We started doing “coffee walks” in the mornings—just a stroll around the block, listening to the birds and moving our bodies together.
Dig in the dirt. Clearing garden beds, pulling weeds, or raking leaves is way more fun when you do it together.
Spring closet clean out. Depending on your kids’ ages, get them involved in sorting through their clothes.
Switch things up with a playdate. Have a friend over or go to a friend’s house for a change of scenery.
✿Fun Ideas for Getting Out and About:
We’ve been intentional about finding free or budget-friendly activities this Spring Break. Here are some of our favorites:
Coffee shop outing. Bring books or coloring pages, let the kids sip something fun, and enjoy your own coffee in peace. Bonus points if you bring your book or journal and join them.
Park & playground hopping. Try a new-to-you park!
Attend free local events. Check Instagram for family-friendly events in your area.
Library visit. Always a win.
Go out for a treat. We’re big Dairy Queen fans and love sitting inside to enjoy it together.
Take advantage of “kids eat free” deals. Look up local spots that offer them!
Watch a baseball game. Even if it’s just a local Little League team.
Play sports together. Grab whatever you have—tennis rackets, basketball, football—and head outside.
BCS friends. Aggie Park, the “tower” at Lake Walk, Polite Coffee, Tanglewood park, Aggie baseball games are some go to’s for us!
✿Fun Family Activities:
Family movie nights! Each night, we’ve been introducing the kids to some of our childhood classics. Grab a cozy blanket and a treat and snuggle up together! So far, we’ve watched:
The Mighty Ducks
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Troop Beverly Hills
Three Ninjas
The “toy sale” adventure. My little girls (ages 8 & 4) decided to set up a front-yard toy sale, choosing stuffed animals and toys they no longer played with, making price tags, and creating signs. The whole process kept them busy, and I got to sit outside in my camping chair, reading my Kindle, while they ran their shop for two hours. An unexpected win!
Limiting screen time (without battles). I got so tired of the constant TV requests that I made a new rule: however much screen time they wanted, they had to spend an equal amount of time outside or doing a creative project first. No arguments—they just rolled with it.
Plan a family date night with friends! Collaborate on a meal and meet at someone’s house or a central location. Let the kids run and play while the adults get to visit.
Spring Break at home has been so much better than I expected. It’s been simple, creative, and full of good family time. If you’re staying home too, I hope these ideas help make your week feel just as special!
✿What are your favorite ways to make Spring Break fun at home?✿
Let me know in the comments!
Love every bit of this!!
Great ideas-thank you!