The kids are home and free from homework, schedules and school for a week. What are you going to do with them to keep them busy, happy and out of your hair? I have got a few great ideas for you to survive this week and have fun while doing it. 

Kid Built Calendars- With your kids free all day, give them a task to get them involved in planning the “After Work Time”.  Try “Play Night” where the kids can dress for the event,
write and put on a play for you when you return.  You could also try an “Awards Night.” Plan a special dinner and ask the children to craft and present others with a special handmade awards. Another fun idea, a “Kids Get to Choose” night….  Kids can pick their dinner and an activity from a parent-approved list; like bowling, a movie, or even a backyard camp-out! Spring Break is a great time for homework free days where you should encourage creativity and playfulness.

Bookworm Tournament- Rainy Days can often lead to the ever popular phrase “I’m bored.” Head it off at the pass by creating (or printing) some fun bookmarks for your children to use this week. Encourage your child to color and decorate it however they like. Then, turn it into a personal contest… adding a sticker or gem every time they finish a chapter or a book. Whoever finished the most by the end of the week wins!

Build an Art Spot- Designating an ‘art spot’ for the kids is a wonderful way to encourage independence and get hours of quiet time (that don’t involve a screen)! This is key to a successful Staycation whether your home to play or not, kids can have fun in here doing art for hours on end. Make sure your spot is well supplied and that artists can utilize it without the need of adult supervision. If you’re short on real-estate, a low and easy-to-open drawer works well – load it with paper and compartmentalize the materials with supply bins. Want to really go all out with your space?  Here are some amazing ideas to inspire you.

Visit a Museum- Seriously!   Most museums will offer free days or big discounts in the spring to boost what is normally a slower time of year, which also means smaller crowds! If you’re looking for an “ok to touch” museum – most major cities have interactive children’s museums that give parents and children a chance to explore.  If you’d like to go the art route, do a little planning ahead to make the whole day more enjoyable. Pick 5 or 6 paintings you’d like to see and learn something about each of your painting’s artist or art movement; having some background ahead of time will make seeing the painting in person a lot more exciting.  If your children are Young Rembrandts students get ready to be amazed, every month we teach an art history lesson and share information to learn about that artist or movement.

Go Fly a Kite- A simple pleasure that’s equally simple to make, kites are a wonderfully active AND creative idea rolled up into one little ball of string.  Here is an idea for a kite you can make using items you already have around the house and no glue!  Add your own creative flair by using Sharpies to draw your favorite Young Rembrandts lesson, or add any other (light) decorative touch you can think of. The sky is the limit!

Shadow Drawing with Chalk- Tracing shadows on the driveway or sidewalk is an engaging visual way to see the sun move and experience shadows. Every hour go back out to the object and traces its shadow again (works best on a mailbox or basketball hoop). By the end of the day you will be able to see how the sun and earth move and how light affects your shadow placement. Work in some different colors for the ultimate final product!

Draw a Picture with Chalk- Pick your favorite Young Rembrandts lesson or pull up one of our How to Draw videos and recreate it on the sidewalk! Remember to make the drawing BIG for a tremendous impact. Teach your friends and family to draw with you.

No matter what you do this spring break make sure to allow lots of time for creative thinking and open ended play to help your kids recharge for the final push of the school year before summer break.