Spring is a wonderful time of
year. The birds are singing and the flowers are
blooming. The weather is getting warmer, and all of the
college kids are headed to the beach for spring break.
But spring break isn't just for
college kids any more. Most elementary, junior high and
high schools take a week off in the spring now as well.
And more and more parents are taking this opportunity to
spend some quality time with the kids.
It's no wonder that spring break is
becoming a popular time for family vacations. The
weather isn't too hot yet, and many destinations are not
as crowded during the spring as they are in the summer.
And some families just have too much going on in the
summer to take a proper vacation together. Kids may
have camp or sports to participate in, and older teens
may have summer jobs. So sometimes a spring vacation
just makes more sense.
You don't necessarily have to go on
a vacation to have a great spring break. You could
simply participate in some activities as a family. You
could find things to do locally, or you could find
projects to do at home.
So what should your family do for
spring break? That's something that only you and your
family can decide. But in this report, you will find
some great ideas for both travel and at-home activities.
Traveling
Since you only have a week to work
with, spring break is not the time for trips that
require extensive travel. That means that if you want
to go very far, it's probably best to fly. Otherwise,
finding a destination that doesn't take more than a day
to get to by land is wise.
There are lots of destinations that
provide opportunities for family fun during spring
break. Here are some places you might consider.
The Beach
The beaches that are frequented by
college students during spring break may not be good
destinations for a family vacation, at least not at this
time of the year. Things tend to get rather wild at
those beaches, and safety could be a big concern. But
there are plenty of smaller beaches that are ideal for
families.
There are lots of lesser-known
beach destinations that are less crowded and more
appropriate for families than larger beaches. A travel
agent can help you find a good one, or you could do some
searching online to find one near you. If you're
looking online, you can also usually find some unbiased
reviews of each place. These are great tools to help
you decide which would be best for your spring break
vacation.
Remember, just because you don't
live near the ocean, that doesn't mean that your family
can't go to a beach. Many lakes have beach areas on
their shores that are perfect for family fun. These
types of destinations are also usually less expensive
than your average beach vacation, and they may feature
nearby parks and nature preserves as well.
Amusement Parks
Amusement parks are great fun for
families. Kids of all ages love them, and most have
things that parents can enjoy as well. Spring break is
the perfect time to go to them, because they are much
less crowded than they are in the summer.
For younger kids, parks such as
Disney World are popular options. They cater to
preschool and early school aged children, with lots of
characters and rides geared toward the age group. There
are also things for older kids to do at most parks, so
you don't have to worry about them getting bored. Many
parks that are geared toward children also have other
parks nearby that you can visit.
Preteens and teenagers usually
prefer parks with lots of wild rides, such as Six Flags
or Universal Studios. Just as the parks aimed at the
younger set have some activities for older kids, these
parks often have rides that smaller children can ride.
And if Mom and Dad prefer not to ride, they often have
live entertainment that they can enjoy.
Food and drinks at amusement parks
can be quite expensive. If you're looking for ways to
save money, you could pack lunch for everyone and eat
off premises. If you don't think to pack lunch, you
might still be better off grabbing something to eat from
a nearby restaurant.
The Zoo
Zoos are lots of fun, and they are
also very educational. Young children in particular
enjoy seeing animals that they've only previously read
about in books. But older kids often enjoy a trip to
the zoo as well.
Zoos come in all shapes and sizes.
There are large zoos throughout the country, so it
shouldn't be too difficult to find one that's within
easy driving distance. There may also be small zoos
that are closer to you, and you could find another
nearby activity to do on the day you go as well. And
petting zoos, while usually fairly small, provide lots
of hands-on fun for the kids.
If you are looking for a fun and
educational yet relaxing activity, consider going to an
aquarium. Seeing a variety of fish and sea creatures up
close is quite an experience for kids of all ages, as
well as adults.
Museums
If you're looking for an
educational destination for your family trip, a museum
is a great option. There are lots of museums that are
designed with kids in mind, providing hands-on
activities and exhibits that they can relate to. These
are great for the young and the young at heart.
Teens might enjoy going to a museum
that fits their interests. Sports museums are popular
among teenage boys. Antique automobile museums, music
museums, film museums, and collectible museums are some
other ideas that might appeal to preteens and
teenagers.
Unusual museums are popular among
young children and older ones alike. Ripley's Believe
It or Not has several museum locations throughout the
United States, as well as in several other countries.
It features all sorts of odd and unbelievable exhibits.
Other unusual museums include ones dedicated to toilet
seats, Jell-O, and dirt. These may sound strange to
you, but they tend to pique kids' curiosity.
Visiting Family and Friends
Spring break is a great time to
visit family and friends that you don't see very often.
It's important to make plans well in advance however, so
that they can clear their schedules for the week.
Visiting family and friends is a
very economical spring break option, especially if you
can stay at their house. It gives you and the kids a
change of scenery, making activities that they do
regularly at home new and exciting. A simple family
dinner and trip to the movies is somehow more special
when it takes place away from home.
Road Trips
Who
says you have to go to one particular destination during
spring break? Short road trips are great ways to bond
as a family while participating in a variety of
activities. They're also ideal if different family
members have very different ideas about what they would
like to do on spring break.
Since you only have a week to work
with, you probably won't get to go a great distance. So
a good course of action would be to find destinations
that are within a few hours' drive, and take one route
out to the farthest one and a different route back
home. This will allow your family to make the most of
the time you have.
If you have a primary destination
in mind, there are trip planning tools online that can
help you find other places to go along the way (as well
as good hotels to stay in). If possible, making a list
of places that are feasible and letting all family
members have a say in the final decision is a good
idea. That way, you can make sure that everyone gets to
go to at least one place that they are excited about.
Some towns and cities have
festivals during spring break that are great for family
fun. Your local paper, or newspapers of nearby
localities, is a good place to look for information
about them. Incorporating these into your road trip can
provide a nice change of pace.
For more help, visit
Finding More Family Time
for tips for a happy family life.
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