Acckkk! It’s The March Break – What Are You Going To Do?!? A Week’s Worth Of Ideas To Save Your Sanity

So you woke up this morning, a bit fuzzy because of Daylight Savings and just as you heard the giggles coming from down the hall you remembered. It’s the March Break. OMGeeee! What are we going to do now? It’s a Monday morning and it is usually like pulling teeth to get the kiddos out of bed for school, but not this week. Oh no. Their little internal clocks don’t give a hoot about Daylight Savings and they are in full on vacation mode already. No amount of pleading for just “one more hour” will work, so it’s time to shut off the panic button and figure out something fun to do NOW.

In our house a great way to start a non normal day (ie: vacation, holidays) is to have a fun breakfast. You don’t have to whip up a buffet complete with Eggs Benedict and French Toast to make it interesting. For the longest time my kids were thrilled whenever I turned a plain pancake into a happy face or cut up fruit in the shape of a heart. You can even set the table with your good dishes and put their milk in a wine glass. It is simple and easy to do and it will set aside breakfast today as being the start of a great week together. And, if the kids are headed off to a day camp or caregiver’s place for the day, that special breakfast will keep you on their mind for a bit longer.  

But let’s say you are still home, for the week and now that the breakfast dishes are done, the troops are getting restless. Here are some fun, fabulous and inexpensive ways to save March Break from being a week of TV watching and endless cries of, “I’m bored!”

Monday

I suggest that you make the first day, Monday, an outing day. It’s the first official day of the break so do something completely unexpected like visit a local sugar bush! We make it a point to do this every year during the Spring (not always March Break). Grab your boots, your camera and the kids and prepare for a different sort of activity.  The pros are the fresh air, fun time together and the learning experience hidden among the Maple trees. 🙂 An afternoon is plenty of time to enjoy this event.

Tuesday

I guarantee the kids will be a bit tuckered from their hike into the sugar bush, so it is a great day to pull out the board games and crafts. Invite a couple of friends over and make teams.  When you are out on Monday, think to pick up some extra treats, like Maple Syrup candy, to use as prizes for the winners (and don’t forget the participation award to 🙂 ).  And what is a board game without popcorn! If you are so inclined let the kids try something new and put out a selection of spices you have on hand for them to test out on a kernel or two. May I suggest trying cinnamon and a little bit of sugar, Parmesan cheese or garlic salt with basil and parsley. The list is endless!

Wednesday

It’s the half way point and the kids will want to get moving. I suggest, now that you have read this great post in advance, that you check out what your local library is doing this week.  There will be lots of activities ranging from crafts and puppet shows to movies and group readings.  After a morning at the library check out the mall. Yes, you read right, the mall, and not for shopping.  Malls are great for having free events like magic shows, creative stations and more. Throw in lunch at the food court and your children will lavish you with love for the rest of the week!

Thursday

Back at home, rain or shine, get the kids to go on a scavenger hunt.  While they were busy at the library on Wednesday, you were busy making up a cool list of things to scavenge for! Smart parent you are! You can even use the photocopier in the reference room to make copies! Anything from sticks and funny shaped rocks, to an early Spring flower are great ideas. Or take a different approach and make it an active version of I Spy. Have the kids find what you spy out on a nature walk through the neighborhood. After a lunch of soup and sandwiches, cause that’s the perfect meal after a morning outside, get out your baking gear and make cookies together.  Let the kids decide what to put in or have them each make their own batch.

Friday

It’s Friday, the last official day of March Break and you want to make an impression. You could spend a few bucks and take the kids to a movie or have a movie day at home. If you choose to stay home, make sure it is a movie all your kiddos will enjoy and have them invite a friend or two. Or not. Whatever you decide, it will still be great! Snacks always make the movie more fun, so bring out those homemade cookies, maybe some apple slices and yogurt for dipping and make a special drink. My kids love to combine things, so we mix juice with a little clear soda like Sprite or 7Up to add some fizz.  After the movie is over, challenge the kids to a dance off! Put on some funky music, kick off your Sunday shoes and cut loose! Add in some karaoke and you will have the kids laughing and singing along.

Saturday

Bonus day! It’s been an enjoyable week and you want to remember it that way. Use your camera, whether it is on your phone or a fancy one and take pictures and video all week long.  If you have a printer at home, pick out some favourites to make a collage with and give your kids each a framed one to keep in their room. Okay, this may take longer than one Saturday, but in the meantime, hook those photos up to your computer or TV screen and relive the awesome March Break memories you made together. ♥

What idea do you like most from this list? Will you try any? 🙂

FT&PD

Suz