Spring break activities for kids: 25 ideas at home and out

Spring break comes just as the weather starts to warm up, and children are full of energy after a long term. Whether you are traveling, taking day trips or staying home, a little planning makes the week fun for everyone. Here are 25 spring break activities for kids, at home and out and about, plus tips for planning the week and ideas for rainy days.

Spring break activities at home (ideas 1 to 10)

Staying home does not have to feel like an ordinary week. Small changes and special activities make it feel like a holiday.

1. Backyard camp-out. Pitch a tent, tell stories and stargaze. Our camping activities for kids have more ideas.
2. Spring cleaning challenge. Turn tidying into a game with a timer and a music playlist.
3. Baking day. Bake cookies or muffins and decorate them with spring colors.
4. Planting. Plant seeds in pots and start a garden diary. See gardening activities for kids.
5. Movie marathon. Make tickets, popcorn and a cozy cinema in the living room.
6. Craft day. Make paper flowers, butterflies and kites. See our spring crafts for kids.
7. Pajama day. Breakfast for lunch, board games and books.
8. Science experiments. Volcanoes, rainbows in a glass and sink or float. See STEM activities for kids.
9. Talent show. Each person practises an act and performs it after dinner.
10. Coloring marathon. Print flower, butterfly and Easter pages and fill a wall with art.

Spring break ideas out and about (ideas 11 to 20)

Local day trips are often more relaxing than a big holiday, and many are free.

11. Visit a new park or playground. Pick one you have never been to.
12. Nature walk. Look for blossom, buds and baby birds with a nature scavenger hunt.
13. Picnic. Pack sandwiches, fruit and a blanket.
14. Library visit. Choose a stack of new books and join any holiday reading events.
15. Farm visit. Spring is lambing season at many farms.
16. Museum day. Science, natural history and children's museums often run holiday activities.
17. Bike ride. Find a safe path or trail.
18. Zoo or aquarium. Bring a notebook to draw the animals.
19. Fruit picking or garden center. Choose plants for your own garden.
20. Swimming. A great way to burn off energy on a cool day.

Rainy day spring break ideas (ideas 21 to 25)

Spring weather can change quickly, so keep a few indoor ideas ready.

21. Build a fort and read inside with a flashlight.
22. Play board games or make up your own game.
23. Make a maze with the maze maker and challenge each other.
24. Puppet show with colored and cut-out characters from the animal pages.
25. Puzzle time with real jigsaws or the picture puzzle game.

For 30 more indoor ideas, see our rainy day activities for kids.

How to plan spring break

Make a list together

Sit down before the break and ask everyone to choose two or three things they really want to do. Write them on a calendar so children can see what is coming.

Balance busy and calm days

Alternate a busy day out with a quiet day at home. Children get tired after a full term, and rest days help everyone enjoy the outings more.

Keep a light routine

Regular meals and bedtimes, even if a little later than usual, make the return to school easier.

Plan for free time

Not every minute needs an activity. Unplanned time to play, read and be a little bored helps children develop creativity.

Keeping learning fresh over the break

A week off will not undo a term of learning, but a little reading and math keeps skills ticking over. Read together every day, and try one short, fun sheet a day, such as the math worksheets or reading comprehension worksheets. Choose topics that feel like play: color by number math, puzzles and word games.

Spring break on a budget

Many of the best activities are free: parks, nature walks, library visits, backyard camping, baking with basic ingredients and printable crafts. Look for free museum days and community events, pack your own lunches for days out, and swap childcare with friends so adults get a break too.

Spring break activities by age

Toddlers and preschoolers

Short outings with naps in between, playgrounds, farm visits, water play and simple crafts.

Ages 5 to 8

Day trips, bike rides, crafts, baking, science experiments and a reading challenge.

Ages 9 to 12

Let older children help plan the week, choose a day trip and lead an activity for younger siblings. A small project, such as building a birdhouse or learning a new skill, gives the week a sense of achievement.

Spring break with friends

Team up with another family or two. You can take turns hosting a craft morning, share the driving for a day trip or organize a picnic in the park where the children play together. Swapping childcare for a few hours also gives parents a much-needed break. A simple shared plan, such as a backyard Olympics with silly events, a group scavenger hunt or a picnic followed by a bike ride, is easy to organize and keeps everyone busy and happy.

End the week well

On the last day, look back at the week together. Let children draw their favorite moment, add photos to a scrapbook or write a short diary entry. Then get ready for school: pack bags, lay out clothes and return to normal bedtimes for a smooth start on Monday.

Frequently asked questions

What can I do with my kids during spring break at home?

Try a backyard camp-out, baking day, craft day, movie marathon, science experiments, planting seeds and a coloring marathon. Mix in a few local outings to parks and the library.

How do I plan a fun spring break on a budget?

Focus on free activities: parks, nature walks, libraries, free museum days, backyard camping and printables. Pack picnics instead of eating out.

Should kids do schoolwork over spring break?

A little reading every day is enough for most children. Short, fun learning activities are fine if children enjoy them, but rest and play are important too.