Five Educational Activities for Elementary Aged Kids on Spring Break

Kids look forward to spring break, but sometimes sitting around the house for a week can leave them a little bored. Parents don't want to listen to them whine about boredom either. If you're looking for something fun (and educational) for your children to do while on spring break, here are five ideas to keep them busy.

Science Center

Most medium to large sized metropolitan areas have science centers that you can take your kids to. They get to explore concepts like magnetism, physics, and the solar system, all while having a good time. Although a day at the science center can be pricey, it will be a lot of fun for everyone in the family, and will be educational at the same time. My kids always have a great time when they visit.

The Zoo

Most families will be within driving distance to a zoo. Zoos are an excellent way to see animals up close and learn something about them. While this isn't a free activity, zoos are usually reasonably priced, and you can often get a season's pass for the price of two days at the zoo. Many zoos also have play areas for the kids to take a break at. That happens to be my kids' favorite part.

The Library

If you're short on money, but still want your kids to have an excellent (and educational) day out, the library is an excellent place to go. Many libraries have story times that can be interesting to younger children; there may also be classes available. Almost every library has computer access; for some reason my kids like playing on the library computers more than the ones they have at home. There are also plenty of books to read while you're there.

Explore the Backyard

If you don't want to leave the house, have the kids explore the backyard. Give them some paper and colored pencils or crayons and have them draw what they see. Do they see any birds or small animals? What kinds of flowers are out there? This probably won't take all day, but if your kids are particularly artistic, it might keep them busy for a while.

Cook Together

Most young kids like to help out in the kitchen. Since kids have a little extra time during spring break, it may be the perfect time to cook together. They can help out with dinner, or you could make something special, like a cake or cookies. Not only is cooking a skill that all kids eventually need to learn, it can also help teach them math skills. Using measuring cups and spoons will help teach fractions; they can also learn about heat. Older children can be taught about nutrition while cooking.

Although you may want your kids to learn something while on spring break, it is also important for them to have a little fun too. Don't spend so much time emphasizing education on spring break that they don't actually get to take advantage of their vacation. A little time off will help recharge their brains to get ready for the challenge of a few more months of reading, writing, and arithmetic that awaits them when school resumes.