If your Spring Break plans don’t include a weeklong trip to the beach, you’re not alone. Most of us, in fact, are not vacationing in that way…this year, or any year…despite what your favorite social media would have you believe.
So, if you’re looking for ideas for how to make it a more fun, more productive, or more memorable week while you staycate, here you go!
Hold a competition (friendly or not-s0-friendly!)
Whether it’s with friends, family, or a combination of the two, come up with a competition and be as elaborate or low key as you like.
If you’re going all out, do so with rounds of games and a tournament with prizes.😆
Consider the old favorites…
- minute to win it games are pretty easy to create using things you already have in your house
- board games don’t have to be boring (and they’re not, if you find the right games!)
- athletic/sport–don’t think this just means a volleyball tournament; it could be a relay race or you might create a new game by combining to sports together
- a cooking competition–who can make the best dessert or the tastiest salad
Or a more modern twist…
- Jackbox games has some cool online party games that can be played using devices with people in the same room or distanced around the globe (more on that and other family games, here)
- Use zoom or other video conferencing to your advantage…get creative with healthy, fun challenges for each other to complete
Take a…class???
Hear me out.
I’m not talking about a traditional math or science class…unless that’s your jam!
I mean something like Let’s Make Sushi, Brain Teasers & Puzzles, or Forensic Files.
Outschool is one online classroom that has tons of options and you can sort by age and find all kinds of classes (plus they also have traditional classes such as math, science, etc.).
Give it a look. If you’re like me, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Go Outside!
Here’s another chance to re-think the same old-same old [boring] idea.
I live in Georgia, and there’s a State Park practically in my backyard!
We are fortunate to have a lot of really nice state parks here–a quick internet search for your state + state parks should give you an idea of what’s close to home for you.
Check out the national parks and historic sites as well…they have a cool quiz you can take to help you narrow down your search (or just search by state if you’re keeping it simple!).
I’m often amazed at what is within a 30 or 60 mile radius of my little town.
If the park thing isn’t your thing, keep it super simple, and make “outside” your destination!
Lol, I mean take your food and eat it outside.
I don’t think we can get more simple than that!
{I’m sure you’re laughing at me right now if you’re like my daughter, looking out her window in Chicago at a foot of snow!}
But if you’re blessed with a bit of springtime, then get out there and enjoy it.
Have a picnic, eat on the deck or patio…or go all out (here we go again!) and invite the neighbors, cousins, or friends over for a driveway dinner.
This can be simply “bring-whatever-you’re-having-and-we’ll-eat-six-feet-apart.”
It can even be a covered dish thing…or maybe you’ll just cook for everyone.
The point is to have fun, make a memory, and strengthen relationships.
Serve Someone Else
There is a wonderful, almost mystical, law of nature that says three of the things we want most—happiness, freedom, and peace of mind—are always attained when we give them to others. Give it away to get it back.
This quote was in James Clear’s most recent email (if you’re not on the list, I highly recommend it to anyone looking to establish better life habits).
{It’s the second time in two days that I’ve come across this sentiment, and I think there’s something to it!}
Consider how you can use a day (or more) of your staycation to serve your family or your neighbors, or a friend.
Simple is in the title of this article, so remember that this doesn’t have to be complicated.
Remember that baking competition you had? Take a piece of cake to the neighbors. Leave it on the front porch if you need to stay safely distanced!
Serving is also one of the best ways for those family bonding moments to happen. I wrote more about that at Kennedyfamfive.
Play the Tourist
I live in a tiny, but touristy town.
People come to the place where I live for vacation. (If only I lived at the beach! haha)
What’s ironic, though, is when friends and family visit from farther away, they always ask about the best restaurants and shops…and I struggle to find an answer!
My point is that we often don’t enjoy what’s in our own backyard.
You don’t have to live in a destination town for this to be true!
Google something like “things to do in [my town]” and expand the radius a bit if you need to.…
Look at your town from the eyes of someone from the other side of the country.
What would be unusual or fascinating to you?
Now consider what would be interesting or unique from your perspective if you were from a country on the other side of the world!
Take a photographic journey/day trip.
You know that sculpture in the town square or that mural painted on the old brick building in town?
Stop and actually look at it! Take a moment to soak it all in.
Decide to have fun, and you probably will.
If you’re looking for more ideas, this summer bucket list can probably spark your imagination. Most of it easily translates to Spring Break.
I’d love to hear your own ideas! DM me on Instagram!
