It’s Spring Break, and if you’re staying home this year like us then you’re probably in need of activities to fill your week with. I know for us, a week home with all the kids can get pretty boring if we don’t schedule things to do, but since we’re planning our vacation for next month we don’t exactly want to go out and break the bank right now either. So what are we to do? You might not know it, but there is a world of fun to be had either in your own back yard or around town for free or almost free, and I’m sharing a few of our favorites! These activities are geared more towards smaller children since mine are 2 and 4 years old, and they are activities the whole family can join in on to mix things up and beat warm weather boredom without spending a ton of money!
Plant a garden
This one will cost a little, but it’s a really cool experience for the kids plus you can grow your own food! Last year we built a raised bed garden and Judah had a blast helping us plant it. This is a great way to bond with kids and also help them learn responsibility by having them help water, prune and harvest the plants. This year I let Judah pick out a few plants that would be “his” to take care of, and he even helped build the raised bed and transplant his new plants as well. He loved it, and every day he goes out to water his berry bush. I can’t wait until it blooms!
Have a picnic or go camping.
We have tons of picnics and camping trips in the warmer months. Whether it be in our back yard, at the park or up in the mountains, we gather up some sandwiches, drinks and snacks along with whatever other gear we need and head outside. It won’t cost anything to camp or picnic in your back yard, and there is something super special about spending a day or two in nature. The kids have a great time eating outdoors and sleeping in the elements (campers and trailers are fun too!) and I really feel that our camping trips are great bonding times for the family.
For outings like this we love our new Igloo wagon from Step2. It’s a brand new Sams Club exclusive that should be hitting stores very soon, and let me tell you this thing is awesome! It’s a multi-purpose wagon featuring a large basin area, a removable soft side Igloo cooler and an easy up canopy. It’s larger than their other wagons, and I love that we can pack up a day’s worth of food and gear and then head up to the mountains with it.
Have a field day.
You know what I’m talking about. Remember when you were in elementary school and classes got cancelled for an entire day of potato sack races, kickball matches and “Red Rover” tournaments? Yes, that. When I was a kid it was my favorite day of the entire school year. Well guess what? Why not have one in your own back yard? You can set up activities like a ring toss, races, soccer dribbles, sandbox treasure hunts, and SO much more.
Go on a nature hunt.
Did you know there is a whole world of critters, plants and bug life right outside your doorstep? Because there is. Both of my kids are into bugs and rocks, so we regularly go on discovery excursions in the back yard armed with bug boxes and magnifying glasses. We love checking out creepy crawlies, and the kids get giddy when they “discover” ants, worms, butterflies, and any other cool creature.
Child Led Play
Kids love exploring their imagination, and there are SO many things that they can do outdoors to feed that creative spark. Most of the time they don’t even need pre-planned activities to have fun outdoors! Their creativity is limitless, and they love coming up with new ways to have fun. Since we just got the Igloo wagon a few weeks ago, they have transformed it into SO many different things. Kaia has tea parties in it and pulls around her “friends” all over the yard.
Judah even set up his own lemonade stand and served everyone in the neighborhood!
Warm weather is finally here to stay, and I can’t wait to see what the kids discover outside this year. They’re at the age where they can really play together and create some super cool things with each other, and I couldn’t be happier about it! Whatever your outdoor activity might be, doing it as a family is a great way to bond with each other. Just remember, you don’t have to go anywhere to have a blast!
