Inside & Out: 12 spring break activities (they will actually want to do)

Every parent knows how challenging it can be to keep the kids entertained during spring break and there is nothing worse than hearing “I’m bored” and “Can I have a snack?” on endless repeat.

You don’t have to break the bank going to every attraction or spend hours planning elaborate activities at home to keep them busy.

Here are 12 things you can do together no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

Indoor

1. Movie Marathon – You choose whether you are going to watch the latest blockbuster or pull out some old classics. Watching more than one movie in a row is always a hit with kids, especially when you add in popcorn, their favorite candy, blankets, and pillows
2. Cooking or Baking Challenge – Do you have a recipe you have always wanted to try? Is there something your kids ask for over and over that you are tired of making? Now is the time to teach them how! If you are looking to make it even more interesting, challenge family or friends to a bake-off and have impartial judges vote on a winner.
3. Escape Room at Home – Create your own puzzles and challenges for an interactive experience. There are tons of ideas online and once you put the thought out there your children are bound to have plenty of suggestions. This can be as simple as a “floor is lava” challenge in your living room or as intricate as you want to make it.
4. Board Game Night – If you have more than one child, you might be thinking that this will cause more arguments than fun, but there are ways to avoid (or decrease) the chance of tension with games. Have you children play on the same team or investigate some collaborative games where the whole family must work together to win or lose as a team.
5. DIY Spa Day – Pamper yourselves with face masks, nail painting, and a relaxing bath. This doesn’t have to cost a lot (or anything if you have some products laying around). Some candles, cucumbers for your eyes, lotions, plastic containers for footbaths and relaxing music are all you need to feel the stress melt away.
6. Virtual Travel – No matter the weather, you can explore museums, landmarks, or zoos through virtual tours. You can tour almost anything from the pyramids in Egypt to the world of dinosaurs, 100 million years ago. Travel the world without leaving the comfort and warmth of your home.

Outdoor

1. Hiking or Nature Walks – This can include a scenic drive out to Canmore or Kananaskis or can be done much closer to home. Explore your community, a local trail, park, or nature reserve. Bring a picnic to make it a day trip!
2. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt – Create a list of nature items or landmarks and make it a challenge for friends or family. You might think this is only an activity for little kids, but older children can enjoy this too – you just have to make the items harder to find. Try adding a specific species of plant or bird or using riddles to identify a historic landmark to get them using their brains (and legs!).
3. Backyard Sports – Play frisbee, croquet, badminton, lawn bowling, horseshoes, ladder toss, corn hole…. The list goes on and on. Many of these games can be purchased at dollar stores or made from things you have around the house.
4. Photography Challenge – Go outside and take pictures of spring plants, wildlife, or cityscapes. You can have a particular theme or let your kids take photos of whatever they want. Print off the photos or use an inexpensive polaroid camera and put them up in your home as décor or keep a seasonal photo album.
5. Obstacle Course – This one has so many benefits. Fresh air, the creativity of designing the course, the physical activity and use of gross motor skills, and implementing cognitive skills to strategize their way through the course are only a few ways they will stretch their bodies and minds. It also opens the door for social interaction because who doesn’t want to show their awesome backyard obstacle course to their friends?
6. Backyard Camping – Set up a tent, make s’mores, and stargaze for a fun camping experience without leaving home. This one is perfect if you have younger kids who haven’t been camping before, and you are planning to take them this summer. It’s a great test run so they can see what it’s like with the comforts of home close by.