Top Family Oriented Spring Break Destinations

Spring break, also known as March Madness or the March Break, is a week off from school in the middle of the second semester of the year at all levels of education, from kindergarten to University. It is time put aside for students and families to get together and enjoy themselves. Well, actually, it was meant as a study break and turned into something else altogether. No matter what Spring Break is really for, most families or young friends get together and travel to some exotic locale to party to extremes, and to allow families the time to get away from the doldrums of Winter, or to enjoy the splendid ski season that is usually either just winding down at this time of year, or at their peak.

Focusing on the family, Spring Break is a time for bonding in a different location than home, or to just relax around the house and do a few things that they would not have had the time to do otherwise. The best locations for a family friendly Spring break are, ideally, the ones that the entire family enjoys or agrees to. Where one family might enjoy hitting a mountain ski resort for the week to enjoy unbridled fun on the ski slopes, another may prefer to hit a beach town or resort, to go camping in the warmer Southern climates, or for visiting family that has drifted far from home.

The best destinations for a family friendly Spring break include, but in no way are limited to;

* Florida. The crowded beaches and party tents set up by corporations that cater mainly to younger, college-aged people beckon a vast majority of the Spring break party-to-excess groups, as well as the families looking to escape the cold and doldrums of the long stretch of cold, dreary Winter that has just passed. Beer companies have tents set up with their products for sale, and have tournaments and contests that cater to the wilder side of life. For younger families, the excitement and never-ending fun of Disney World beckons, and does not fail. For kids in middle school or early high school, Disney World is the destination of choice.

* Arizona. The Grand Canyon and the desert, the attractions of Phoenix and the waters of Lake Havasu are all major destinations for families The Grand Canyon may not be open for camping, but the hotels are open, and the sights will enthral and put you in an ethereal mood, with some of the most beautiful scenery this side of Paradise.

* Ski resorts. The family that skis together goes to the ski resorts that are open and boasting deep levels of new snow. The deeper the snow or powder snow, the better the excitement for the skiing family. Whether downhill skiing or snowboarding, ski resorts like Whistler/Blackcomb or Big White in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Lake Louise, Big Sky, Vermont, Telluride in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada, or even the mountains of Switzerland offer the family unmatched excitement and bonding in a winter wonderland setting. What better way is there to say goodbye to Winter than to hit the ski slopes for a week with your family?

* The cottage. If your cottage is in an area that has rid itself of snow and frozen pipes, or is in a Southern State or Southern Canada, Spring Break is a wonderful time for the family to open the family cottage and enjoy the unencumbered life of relaxation in the wilderness. Many families have cottages near mountains so that they can enjoy the best that all Seasons have to offer. It is a great time to make repairs or work on extensions, or to just relax and do whatever the family agrees upon. Spring is, after all, meant to be a family oriented week.

* Staycation. With the economy in the tank, many families can no longer afford to throw off a week of work and spend the money that would otherwise be used to pay bills and mortgage payments. Most cities and towns have lots of family-oriented activities planned and organized week in advance of Spring Break that will not break the bank. Pools, libraries, museums and parks are all open and teeming with young families enjoying themselves. A break from work, and to be able to enjoy the warmth and love of a close-knit family does not have to cost thousands of dollars. Can also be used for catching up on school reports, papers and studying.

* Tropical resorts. Whether an all-inclusive resort or an inexpensive, beach-side hotel, the warmth of the tropical Sun and warm waters for swimming and beaches for sunning on beckon many a family during Spring Break. One of the more expensive Spring Break getaways, along with ski resorts and family-oriented parks like Disney World or Six Flags, visiting tropical resorts with the family for Spring Break is cheaper than ever with the discounts offered during this belt-tightening economy.

* Grandma's house. For the younger families, Spring Break is a great time to visit family, and for family reunions. Young children love to visit their grandparents due to the special bonds that they enjoy, and it is a great time to allow grandparents, who do not live within the same city, State or Province, to spend time with their extended families.

* Your favourite place. Everybody has their own special favourite place that they either long to visit or go to annually, and if the week can be taken off from work, Spring Break is a great way for the family to bond and to enjoy themselves and each other's company.

No matter the destination, the idea of Spring Break has started to wane from the over-indulgence of college party destinations to family-oriented destinations. Many of the places that were once well known Spring Break destinations for the college-aged party crowds that leave their inhibitions at home have changed to young families, as the damages that were common with Spring Break rowdiness cost them dearly. Families, on the other hand, tend to be more relaxed and interested in the water-oriented sports and activities that these resorts offer.

Spring Break can also be used for students to catch up on their mandated volunteering hours, as many schools now include in their itineraries. The free attractions and festivals that are prevalent during the mid-March Spring melt can be attended on the two weekends of Spring Break. Movie theatres and other businesses have Spring Break discounts for families, and offer a great way for the family to enjoy themselves together. For kids into sports, there are many sports-related camps, and there is always the Boys and Girls clubs to keep your young ones busy and happy.

Enjoy your Spring Break, no matter where you go or what you do. If you can no longer afford to do what you have normally done during Spring Break due to job losses and other financial setbacks, simply explain to the family that you have to choose between going somewhere in the Summer, like long family camping trips, sending the kids to Summer camps, or having a 4 to 5 day trip where the weather may not be guaranteed.