Spring Break Fun – For FREE!

by Stacie Gaetz, Calgary’s Child Magazine

Looking for something genuinely fun (and truly free) to do this spring break?

Who isn’t?

Being cooped up inside with kids bouncing off the wall is no fun, but it doesn’t have to cost you hundreds of dollars to keep them busy.

Here is your inclusive list of some of the things you can do to keep them entertained and avoid hearing the dreaded “I’m bored!”

Print it off (or take screenshots on your phone) and bring it with you to keep the fun going.

Outside

• Go for a walk:
  • In your neighbourhood.
  • To a new neighborhood you’ve never explored.
  • In the mountains. (Could Link To Story)
  • In a town/city surrounding Calgary such as Cochrane or Chestermere.
    
• Go birding:
  • Look up local birds on your phone, choose a location and see how many you can find.
    
• Scavenger hunt:
  • Pick a theme: from spring themed items like robins and bunnies, to choosing a colour and seeing how many red items you can search out.
    
• Check out some local waterfalls.
  
• Explore a national park.
  
• Seek out public art.
  
• Go for a bike or scooter ride.
  
• Check out local playgrounds.
  
• Collect rocks to paint.
  
• Go geocaching:
  • Start here: geocaching.com
    
• Make a nature collection:
  • Rocks, leaves, pinecones, and anything else you can find
    
• Clean up the yard and plan your garden

At Home:

• Make Easter crafts:
  • Just look some up on your phone! There are hundreds to choose from, and many include things you already have in your home.
    
• Make a bird feeder:
  • Whether you use a kit or go the pinecone and peanut butter route, this is tons of fun for younger kiddos.
    
• Create an indoor obstacle course.
  
• Go old school:
  • Play a game like Red Light/Green Light, What Time is it Mr. Wolf? or Red Rover.
    
• Paint:
  • Whether you use your fingers, a brush or even a potato stamper or ice, get a bit messy.
    
• Become a scientist
  • There are dozens of easy science experiments that you can look up online and do with your kids including the tried and true volcano, making slime and crystalizing your own rock candy.
    
• Yoga
  • Get your kids moving on a rainy day with a stretch break.
  • There are many options on YouTube!
    
• Blow up balloons
  • Balloons can provide hours of fun. From playing “don’t let it touch the ground,” to rubbing it on your hair for static electricity, to letting the air leak out and watching it fly around the room.
    
• Bubbles
  • Find a place in your home where you don’t mind the kids blowing bubbles inside. They will love it!
    
• Plain paper
  • You would be surprised what you can do with just a piece of paper. From origami, to planes, to snowflakes, to people holding hands.
    
• Create with recycling
  • In the same mindset, bring out your recycling bin and see what you can make with boxes, jugs, containers, toilet paper rolls etc.
    
• Cook or bake together

Have a great Spring Break!