Key insights:
- Plan new experiences around your hometown this spring break for ultimate family fun.
- Anything is possible — water slides, movie marathons and even camping.
- Remember, other parents may be staying close to home, too. Partner for back-to-back sleepovers to get yourself some time off!
Are you staying in town this spring break? Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean the time out of school has to be uneventful! There’s plenty to do right within the vicinity of your hometown.
In fact, many people are booking “staycations” for themselves this year. A staycation lets you relax in the comfort of your own home while exploring areas of your community that you may not usually have the time to discover.
We’ve gathered new ideas — outside of the typical trip to the mall — to keep you and your family entertained this spring break.
Seven fun spring break “staycation” activities
#1. Enjoy an indoor water park. Indoor water parks are the perfect place for a day full of activity and fun. Plus, you’ll feel like you’re on a tropical vacation with the abundance of water around you. Many indoor water parks take an impressive twist on the traditional pool, featuring tidal pools, waterslides, lazy rivers, surf simulators and hot tubs — making a day in the water even more memorable. You may even find that your local community center (or a neighboring one) has an aquatics center with open swim times!
#2. Explore a smaller town near you. Have everyone jump in the car to visit a cute main street with small-town charm. Stillwater, Hudson and Red Wing are all great options. After you’ve enjoyed a casual drive as a family, warm up in the local cafes and window shop. For an extra special treat, give each of your kids some pocket cash to spend however they’d like at one of the unique or kitschy shops.
#3. Get your hands dirty at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Home to over 1,215 acres of gardens, landscapes and natural areas, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is the perfect place to get you in the mood for spring. While at the arboretum, explore the various greenhouses, or take part in their family activities.
#4. Have a movie marathon! Get the entire family together to set up your own movie marathon at home, or see if there are back-to-back features playing at a local cinema. Need a few hours of quiet each day? Fuller Recreation Center in Minneapolis can help! They’re hosting a Harry Potter movie marathon, playing one movie each day of spring break.
#5. Try an escape room. Do you have older kids? Try an escape room! Tactical Escape 101, Breakout Games, Escape MSP and Zero Hour Escape Rooms are all great options. Then, after your escape room adventure, follow up with a lunch date breaking down how you found your way out…or strategizing how you’ll improve the next time you return.
#6. Camp out! If you’re in the mood for a cozy night at home, stay in and camp out at your house. That’s right, put up a tent (or makeshift fort) in your living room or basement and play camp. You can make s’mores, put on the fireplace, share campfire stories and have everyone sleep in the same room.
#7. Set up back-to-back (to back?) sleepovers. Coordinate with other parents in town to plan a slumber party for the kids. By hosting a sleepover, you may have one night of chaos. However, as the sleepover chain continues, you’ll have one or two nights of freedom. This might even provide a great opportunity for a date night or some self-care. In other words, you’ll put the “break” in spring break.
Ready, set, go!
Now it’s time to relax and enjoy spring break! Be sure to check off a few of these experiences from your spring break to-do list. Not only are they a blast, but they’re great for family bonding and lots of laughter.
