If you stay home with kids on Spring Break the choices are simple: endlessly referee cooped up siblings, throw money at last-minute outings or enter the week armed with a low-budget, high-fun plan.

Instead of pining over facebook beach pictures, I plan an affordable family staycation every March. And I include my niece and nephews so we can multiply our Spring Break fun.

Spring Break on a Budget

This will be our fourth year running Spring Break on a Budget and it has become a family highlight. We throw our families together with nine kids ranging from 2 to 15 years and ramp up the fun. On a budget.

With a huge age gap, keeping kids entertained on a budget is certainly a challenge. But I open a calendar and start slotting in ideas. We find events for big kids, little ones and some group activities.

Want a visual? Here is last year’s calendar, colour coded by Outdoor events/Indoor activities/Home time.

Sample Spring Break Calendar

Get out your calendar to make your own plan for March break fun using these tips.

Need a copy of my free ebook to plan this staycation? Grab yours here!

Allow White Space

There is no pressure to pack the schedule. Know your kids’ rhythm (and your own). We divide every day into thirds – morning, afternoon and evening. And each day of the holiday has at least one third of downtime. Leisurely morning? We’ll do activities later. Packed day? We’ll end the day with unstructured time. Because who doesn’t want to stay in PJs as much as possible?

Search Local March Break Fun

Find cheap or free events offered on the break.

• Libraries: ours offers reptile presentations, scavenger hunts, LEGO events, magic shows, comic drawing classes and many more. Most events are free or $2/person. Register as soon as possible. Check out neighbouring cities, for even more options.
• Hardware stores often offer free classes for tiny builders to make birdhouses, toy cars etc.
• Ask other moms for brilliant, local ideas you can use.

Explore Outside

Depending on the weather, March can be a perfect time for an adventure. Pack a picnic and plan a hike. Or bundle up for tobogganing. Catch a Maple Syrup festival in your area. Let the kids do a search for fun outdoor group games.

Moderate Screen Time

We usually plan to see at least one movie over the break which could easily blow the budget. Instead we search free family movies. Favourite options include:

• A local Church – this year they will be showing Moana and Queen of Katwe – admission is free and snacks are $1 each
• Public Library – larger libraries often offer free movies – be sure to arrive early to get a prime viewing area
• Discount Theaters –  Cinestarz offers admission for $4-$5. They offer movies that have been out for a while which is perfect if you rarely go to the theater.
• Home Theater – pop some popcorn, spread out blankets and watch a movie at home or show your kids footage of their early years.

Choose One Big Activity

We do limit spending this week, but usually include one bigger event for each child. We have tried:

• Cooking classes at the grocery store: ranges from $9-$20 per person, depending on ages.
• Rock climbing: about $20 per person after renting equipment. We go in the afternoon when it is much quieter.
• Murder mystery: normally $30 per person, but I found a groupon for $10 per person.
• Gymnastics: $30 per person for a half day of camp. This was a huge hit for the kids 6-11.
• Curling: a local curling club even offered trial lessons for FREE.

Switch up Locations

Take turns with family or friends to host playdates. Keep the menu simple and the expectations of a clean house low for a stress-free time. This can be as structured (or unstructured as you like). I find a bit of preplanning minimizes squabbling. A few games we enjoy for school-aged children are:

• Bounce Off 
• Minute to Win it Activities (do a search for low prep, crazy ideas)
• LEGO challenges

Swap Skills

Take turns teaching a few kids a new skill. Moms are incredibly talented and this would be a great way to inspire the kids. Can you decorate cupcakes? Teach a kid-friendly recipe? Lead a simple paint class? If everyone chips in for supplies, it can be low budget but crazy fun.

Capture It All

Assign a photographer to capture the moments. And make sure as the mom you get into a lot of the pictures so there is a record that you existed in the family.

Hope these ideas inspire you to have high-impact fun on a low-impact budget this March Break.

Please share any other tried and true frugal fun your family enjoys this week. Unless it involves a beach. {wink}

More budget-stretching ideas?