Top 10 Educational Spring Break Activities for Kids

Are you a busy mom who desires that the kids are happy during Spring Break? If so, you aren't alone. Every mom wants their kids to enjoy their time off from school. It's just as important that each mom plan ahead of time for this sometimes week of craziness.

There are simple, yet effective ways you can ensure your kids look forward to Spring Break. Not only by doing a little Mom-Planning, but really utilizing what's around you. You won't have to spend lots of money if you don't want to. Be ready to get creative, think outside the box, and enjoy a fun-filled Spring Break with the Kids.

How many times do we sit and try to think up activities for our kids during Spring Break? It can become tedious year-after-year as we endeavor to really find new and creative/educational ways to spend time with our kids. I hope these tips help you get creative; even if you don't use these particular tips. The point is to think outside our comfort zone and find new ways to spend family time with the kids.

Spring Break Activity #1

Take a Picnic - There is nothing more relaxing than taking a picnic lunch with the whole family. Whether you run through a drive through for the meal or fix up some fried chicken. The point is to get out of the house and enjoy time with the kids. If you have some favorite games everyone loves, pack them up for your picnic. There is no better way to spend the afternoon than outside playing games!

Educational Tip: As a homeschooler, we make school out of life. While on your picnic, try to teach the kids one new thing. It could be about the history of the park. Maybe, you teach them about the different flowers. Either way, enjoy your picnic and be proud that your kids can learn, even while on a picnic.

Spring Break Activity #2

Take a Hike - Kids love to get outside. Take them to an area with great hikes. Whether it is up the side of a mountain or just a leisure hike trail, the point is getting out into nature. For fun, take along note pads and pencils for the kids. Make a game and let them see how many different types of leaves, animals, bugs, or trees they find. The winner is the one person who has the most variety. This game is a blast that even the parents can join in for!

Educational Tip: A hike is by far the best way to teach hands-on. Use the game above to really teach your kids while enjoying the scenery. The kids will learn about different trees, birds, bugs, and leaves while having fun.

Spring Break Activity #3

Take a Road Trip - Who doesn't love road trips? The fun thing about a road trip begins with the bathroom stops. At every bathroom stop there is a large map of that state. Allow the kids to grab their note pads and right down as many cities as they see along the path you are driving. Then, they have to keep their eyes on the look out to find those cities. Every city they see along the path that they've written down, they get a point. The car game can give hours of entertainment and enjoyment for the kids.

Road trips can be a fabulous way to spend spring break with the family. Whether you drive one hour or 15 hours, take the time to enjoy each second with your kids. There are fun, easy ways to make the most out of every day!

Educational Tip: Geography is by far one of the best ways to teach on a road trip. Not only will your children learn new cities, but they will have fun in the process. Learning can be fun!

Spring Break Activity #4

Go to a Theme Park - This probably should be the number 1 spring break activity for kids! What kid doesn't want to go to a theme park with lots of rides, food, and plenty of costumed characters? Some of our favorite theme parks/amusement parks are Walt Disney World (Orlando, FL) and Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN). If you need somewhere close, look in your state to see what is available. This can be a day trip or even the entire Spring Break!

Educational Tip: Going to a theme park can be as educational as it can be a blast. For years, we've gone to DollyWood in the Smoky Mountains for field trips. For at least twenty-minutes of our day, we set aside time to do "learning activities". For example, we may learn how to make candy or travel on a train. While on these activities, allow the kids to talk aloud about what they learn or see. Keep it short and you not only have done school at a theme park but they won't even notice you've incorporated "school" into their spring break!

Spring Break Activity #5

Take a Cruise - I confess, this Spring Break activity is as much for the parents as the kids. There is nothing like relaxing on a boat with nothing but water all around you. There are many cruises that offer great deals for the entire family making this an affordable way to spend Spring Break.

Educational Tip: There often is a lot of extra time while on a cruise ship. Pack some card games so you have some free time. Card games are great for the kids minds and are extremely educational.

Spring Break Activity #6

Go to the Library - This isn't as excited as some of the other Spring Break activities, but lets face it, sometimes we need to stay close to home. Given that we are going to be at home, we need ways to keep the kids busy. At the library, you will find books, movies, cd's plus loads of activities. You want to check with the library to see what they have available. Many times, they will have activities for younger children, middle schoolers, as well as high schoolers.

Spring Break Activity #7

Go to a Sports Game - Every child needs to go to at least one live sports game. Spring Break gives the entire family a great opportunity to check out what sports events are going on in your local area. Some ideas are basketball games, football games, hockey games, or baseball games.

Educational Tip: You can incorporate school into every part of your life. One thing we have done is have the kids take their camera. They take pictures of their favorite players while at the sports event. Once they get back home, have them right a mini report about their experience. You have effectively created an educational Spring Break Activity!

Spring Break Activity #8

Go to the beach -

There is no better way to spend Spring Break than go to the beach. A quick warning, though: everyone tends to go to the beach during Spring Break, so be ready for a crowd. Also, try looking for beaches that aren't tourist spots. There are beaches that you can enjoy a quiet week at the beach; they just take research!

Educational Tip: The beach is a fabulous location to incorporate learning. There are so many creatures to be found while at the beach. Take a notebook with you and document each of the different things you see. Those you don't know, research once you get home. Also, take pictures of the experience and allow the kids to write a report.

Spring Break Activity #9

Go to Zoo - The beauty of Spring Break is finding things that will occupy the kids attention span. Have no fears -- the Zoo is the perfect way to run off your child's energy while allowing them to see a ton of wildlife in the process.

Educational Tip: Going to the Zoo IS educational. The kids get to learn about all the different animals. Make this a wonderful day by just allowing them to enjoy nature. They get to learn about animals while not having to do anything other than appreciate the animals.

Spring Break Activity # 10

Go the the Mountains - Let me just say there is no better way to spend Spring Break than going to the mountains. The Smoky Mountains in Tennessee is by far the best place I could ever recommend to take the kids. Not only do you have kayaking, whitewater rafting, ice skating, skiing, put putting, hiking, fishing, camping, bird watching, people watching, shopping, and the best of all -- do nothing. Just enjoy nature while your kids enjoy exploring new things.

No matter what you do for Spring Break, try to find some Spring Break activities that involve the entire family. Making memories that last a lifetime do not have to be expensive. Find ways to get your family out of the house without breaking the bank. It is possible with a lot of thought and a little mom creativity!

Educational Tip: Going to the mountains is another Spring Break Activity that really doesn't require explanation. There are so many beautiful things to be see, it's no wonder schools make a trip to the mountains a regular Field Trip. Whether you make the kids take note pads to right down all the things they discover or just let them enjoy nature, going to the mountains IS an educational experience. The joy of Spring Break is learning ways they can learn while just letting them have fun ---with or without min book reports!