15 Simple Things to Do on Spring Break at Home: Fun Boredom Busters for Kids
I was talking with a mom the other night that looked utterly exhausted. It didn’t take long to find out why. “It’s the first day of Spring Break,” she said. So, whether you’re half-way through break and going crazy refereeing kids or you want to plan ahead for some fun Spring Break activities, these 15 simple things to do on Spring Break at home will help get your kids busy in memorable ways. Enjoy!
Indoor OR Outdoor Ideas for Spring Break
1. Spring Break BINGO
Whether you get ice cream when everyone gets a Bingo or just complete the activities for fun, this is a simple way to encourage kids to do a range of things from reading and writing to helping others.
This free printable includes a Bingo board that’s full of simple activities and a blank template if you want to come up with your own ideas as a family.
Print this Spring Break BINGO or request to have it sent to your email inbox for later.
2. Create a Family Bucket List
As a family brainstorm all the possible things to do on Spring Break at home. Feel free to get creative and let the ideas roll! Afterward, parent veto ideas that won’t work this break (budget or whatever). Next, each person gets to choose one (or more depending on how many you want on your list) thing to put on your Spring Break Bucket List. Lastly, get out the calendar and pencil in times to do your bucket list items together.
3. Do a Service Project
Spring clean for an elderly individual, weed a neighbor’s yard, or anonymously drop off a bouquet of flowers and a kind note at friends’ houses. Think about your family member’s strengths and how they can share those to serve others. Do you know somebody that’s going through a hard time or just moved into your area? Ask the kids how they want to serve that person or family.
Grab this guide: Raising Compassionate Kids in a Conceited World for practical tips about how to help kids grow empathy and 101 Service Ideas for Families…it’s FREE!
Outdoor Ideas for Things to Do on Spring Break at Home
Spring Break is a great time to get outdoors, run around, and enjoy nature. Here are some things to do during Spring Break at home that can be enjoyed outdoors.
4. Obstacle Course
This classic can be played indoors, but it’s also a great way to get outside. Pull out garbage cans you have to scooter around, spin around a bat, include a ball toss or croquet shot, throw in old dress-up clothes, and get as funny or creative as you can think. We’ve done obstacle courses where each person creates their own obstacle or where we’ve taken turns creating the whole course. Time each other and try to beat your own best time.
5. Mission Impossible
This is an older kid game because it’s most fun played at night, wearing all dark clothes. Play it in a larger yard area that has natural obstacles like bushes. Additionally, place obstacles around the space such as large garbage cans, wheelbarrows, or big boxes. Choose one side of the yard or place to be “Home” and one person to be it. The person who’s it sits near Home, while everyone else starts on the other side. The group tries to sneak to Home before that person calls their name and place, such as, “Emily behind the wheelbarrow!” If you’re called out correctly, you have to start over. Whoever reaches home first wins.
6. Ghost in the Graveyard
This is another fun night game for older kids and adults. It’s a version of Hide and Seek in the dark with jump scaring. If you’re not familiar with it, you can find directions for how to play here: How to Play Ghost in the Graveyard & Other Quick Tips for a Stronger, Happier Family
7. Kick the Can
Place an empty tin can on the driveway or another central location to where you’re playing. One person is it and closes their eyes to count, while everyone else scatters and hides. The person who’s it looks for the others and puts them into jail by calling their name and hiding place, while jumping over the can. If the person who’s it gets everyone into jail, they win. But if someone is able to kick the can, everyone else is set free and the person who’s it has to count again.
8. Go to a Park: Woodchips
This idea is simple as it gets, but sometimes after a long winter indoors we forget. Visit a playground or park where everyone can run around.
One of our favorite playground tag games is Woodchips. The person who’s it counts to ten and then tries to tag someone else. The twist is that if the person who’s it is on the playground structure, they have to close their eyes. When their eyes are closed, they can call out “Woodchips!” If anyone is on the ground at that point, they become it.
If it’s been rainy, grab an old towel to wipe down slides (or keep one in the trunk), or plan on getting muddy and run a load of wash when you get home.
9. Play Catch or Shoot Hoops: Pickle or Pig
Here’s another basic idea that might be overlooked after a winter hibernation. With enough people, you can play Pickle or with fewer people play catch, hit balls at a local field, practice shooting or play PIG. In case you’re not familiar, PIG is played taking shots in a set order (taking turns). If the person before you makes it, you have to shoot from the same place as them. If you miss, you get a letter, P-I-G. The last person to spell PIG wins.
10. Go on a hike
Visit a local trail and enjoy the beauties of spring.
Indoor Spring Break at Home Ideas
For many of us, Spring Break brings unpredictable weather. Even if it’s nice out, you may still enjoy some of these indoor ideas of things to do on Spring Break at home.
11. Read, Feed, and Watch
One of our favorite things to do over a break is read a chapter book together and then watch the movie adaption with popcorn or a themed snack. Even my big kids like listening when we read aloud. Here are a few fun book ideas that also have family-friendly movies.
Comedy Books and Movies
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Pippi is a quirky girl who lives on her own and is strong enough to lift the horse that lives on her porch. Kids love this funny story.
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Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Florence and Richard Atwater. This is a quick book that you can read together over one break. It simple and humorous following Mr. Popper the painter turned performing penguin caretaker. The movie is a fairly different than the book but that’s a great conversation to have about creativity and imagination too.
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Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot (YA novel). This is a fun read to enjoy with your teens and the movie with Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews is entertaining for all ages. It’s a comedy about a totally average teen who finds out she’s actually a princess.
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Action or Adventure Books and Movies
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. This one took us longer than one break to finish, but it’s a beautiful book to read together. The setting in the Ozarks and relationship between Billy and his hunting dogs help kids feel deeply.
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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. This book has levels of nuance that make it enjoyable for all ages as Meg, her brother Charles Wallace, and friend Calvin travel through space and time to save her father. Kids younger that about age eight might not follow all the details of the book or movie, although the characters and costumes make the movie fun even if kids don’t completely understand.
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Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I really like the movie version with Julia Roberts as Charlotte’s voice, and this classic book about friendship on the farm is fun and moving.
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The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Another great pick for kids and adults, this story of four siblings who transport to a different land through a magical wardrobe is a classic for so many reasons. I recommend both the older animated movie version for young kids and the newer live action version for families (rated PG).
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12. Indoor Campout
If you can’t get away for the week, getaway in the living room. 🙂 Set up the tent, tell stories, and make S’mores. Here are 10 Simple Indoor Camping Ideas for Families.
13. Paint with Fun Manipulatives (ball, lemon, etc.)
Get out the paints and use something other than paint brushes to create a masterpiece. Try using half a lemon or apple, a piece of sponge, cotton tip applicators, leaves, or a potato cut into different shapes.
Roll a ball inside a box with different colors of paint to make a beautiful image, such as this Planet Craft.
14. Make a Scrapbook or Journal
With all the digital pictures we have these days, I haven’t kept up printing them. However, the kids LOVE when we do have some printed (usually thanks to my mom- thank you Mom!) So, a fun idea for things to do at home during Spring Break is to get some picture printed and make a scrapbook page or collage. Alternately, you could write in a journal or have younger kids draw pictures about a favorite family memory or other events you want to remember.
15. Have a Karaoke or Dance Party
Turn on the music and sing or dance along. You can find Family Karaoke Night Ideas HERE.
What more ideas for things to do on Spring Break at home?
Check out these posts with other great activities for families!
- 101 Best Indoor Activities for Families [Simple Boredom Busters & Bonding Ideas]
- 14+ Spring Break at Home Ideas and Quick Tips for Families in Friday’s Fast Five 28th Edition
- Have a preschooler? Find hundreds of activities for preschoolers here: Preschool Index
Which of these ideas for things to do on Spring Break at home are you going to try? What favorite Spring Break memories do you have? Share in the comments!
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