Have some family fun together this year during spring break by exploring fun things to do without busting your budget. Keep reading to discover 15 family-friendly spring break ideas—these are great spring break ideas for all ages that are sure to please your kids. Get back to basics and keep spring break simple, budget-friendly, and full of spring break fun for everyone. These ideas will also help families save money on their spring break plans.
Introduction to Spring Break
Spring break is one of the most anticipated times of the year for families and students alike. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a break from the daily grind, recharge, and spend quality time together. Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing on a sunny beach, exploring vibrant cities, or embarking on an outdoor adventure, there are countless spring break destinations to choose from. With a little planning and creativity, you can design a spring break trip that fits your family’s interests and budget, ensuring everyone comes home with cherished memories. From classic getaways to hidden gems, the best spring break destinations are just waiting to be discovered.
Choosing the Best Spring Break Destinations
Selecting the best spring break destination for your family starts with thinking about what kind of vacation you want. Are you picturing lazy days on white sand beaches, thrilling outdoor activities in a national park, or exploring a bustling city filled with history and culture? Consider the spring weather at your chosen spot—if you crave warm weather, places like Florida, southern California, or Hawaii are always popular. For those who prefer cooler temperatures and mountain views, destinations like Colorado or the Oregon coast are great options. Don’t forget to look for family-friendly destinations that offer plenty of spring break activities, such as theme parks, water parks, or interactive museums. If you’re dreaming of a lakefront escape with built‑in amenities and recreation, a spring break family resort on Lake Havasu can be an ideal choice. By matching your family’s interests with the right location, you’ll set the stage for a memorable and enjoyable spring break vacation.
Nighttime Stargazing Activity
For a truly magical spring break experience, gather your family for a nighttime stargazing adventure. Many national parks and designated dark sky areas host special stargazing events, where you can marvel at the stars far from city lights. Imagine lying on a blanket under the vast sky, spotting constellations and maybe even catching a shooting star. Popular spots like Big Bend National Park in Texas, Death Valley National Park in California, and other dark sky parks offer guided programs that make learning about the night sky fun for all ages. At Lake Havasu, you can pair your evening under the stars with adventurous spring break fun Havasu Springs style for days filled with water and outdoor activities. Don’t forget to bring binoculars, a cozy blanket, and some hot chocolate to make your spring break night under the stars even more memorable.
Energizing Bicycle Excursion
Add some excitement to your spring break plans with an energizing bicycle excursion. Exploring your spring break destination on two wheels is a fantastic way to see the sights, get some exercise, and enjoy the fresh spring air. Many cities and vacation spots offer bike rentals and scenic trails perfect for families. Consider joining a guided bike tour to learn about local history and hidden gems, or chart your own course along coastal paths, through city parks, or on mountain trails. Whether you’re pedaling through the bike-friendly streets of Portland, Oregon, cruising along California’s scenic coast, or discovering a new neighborhood, a bicycle adventure is a fun and active way to make the most of your spring break, especially when paired with other Lake Havasu water and land activities like kayaking or golf cart cruising.
Local Arts and Crafts Fair
Immerse your family in the local culture by visiting an arts and crafts fair during your spring break getaway. These lively events are a wonderful way to discover handmade treasures, unique artwork, and creative souvenirs that capture the spirit of your destination. Wander through colorful booths, watch artisans at work, and sample delicious treats from local food vendors. Many fairs also feature live music, interactive activities for kids, and opportunities to meet local artists. Around Lake Havasu, seasonal festivals and special events and celebrations offer similar chances to browse vendors, enjoy live performances, and experience local culture. Whether you’re exploring the vibrant markets of Santa Fe, the bustling Portland Saturday Market, or a charming seaside fair in California, attending a local arts and crafts fair adds a creative twist to your spring break adventure.
Strawberry Picking Farm
Treat your whole family to a sweet and memorable spring break outing by visiting a strawberry-picking farm. Spring is the perfect time to stroll through sun-kissed fields, filling your baskets with juicy, ripe strawberries straight from the vine. Many farms offer more than just picking—look for places with petting zoos, playgrounds, and farm stores stocked with homemade jams and treats. Popular strawberry picking destinations include the lush fields of Florida, California’s Central Valley, and family-run farms in New Jersey, or you might opt for a lakefront getaway at Havasu Springs Resort on Lake Havasu, where family‑friendly fun is just steps from the water. It’s a wholesome, hands-on activity that lets everyone enjoy the fresh air, taste the fruits of their labor, and create delicious memories together during your spring break vacation.
(1) Nighttime Stargazing Activity
Assemble your family around a telescope in your backyard on a clear spring night to do some stargazing together. Take turns locating specific starry constellations with help from a hard-copy constellation map or cell phone app.
(2) Energizing Bicycle Excursion
Get outdoors during spring break and enjoy a bicycle ride together. The fresh outdoor air, warm sunshine, and exercise are sure to lift everyone’s spirits.
(3) Local Arts and Crafts Fair
Drive your family to a local arts and crafts fair. These local fairs often feature assorted displays and activities, such as outdoor concerts, food booths, original artwork, face painting for the kids, homemade crafts, and much more.
(4) Strawberry Picking Farm
Locate a strawberry farm near your home that offers an opportunity for your family to pick their own strawberries. Call your local strawberry farm prior to your spring break visit to verify picking dates and times.
(5) Miniature Golf Fun
Pick out your favorite miniature golf course and enjoy playing a few games together. Mini golf is a terrific family experience that is sure to foster a little family-friendly competition mixed with lots of fun.
(6) Spring Planting Endeavor
Use some time over spring break to refurbish your existing flower beds, boxes, and planters with new spring plants. Your kids will love digging in the dirt to plant beautiful flowers with you.
(7) Firepit Sing-Along
Gather the family around your backyard firepit to enjoy a spring evening of singing entertaining campfire songs. If you have a guitarist in your family, have them strum their guitar while everyone sings traditional campfire favorites.
(8) Recreational Vehicle Trip
If you don’t own an RV, you can rent one to experience a new adventure together over spring break by planning a road trip to explore new destinations. Camping in an RV is a great way to enjoy the comforts of home while creating new memories. At Havasu Springs, we have RV camping options available. You can preview the layout of our property and the Havasu Springs Resort map and accommodations to choose the RV sites and amenities that best fit your family.
(9) Home Painting Project
Grab some paint and brushes to do a home painting project as a family. For example, help your older kids apply a fresh coat of paint to their bedrooms in their favorite colors, or refresh your deck, front porch, or flower boxes with new paint. After a productive day of DIY, it can be a treat to relax over a meal at The Springs lakeside restaurant at Havasu Springs, enjoying someone else’s cooking and the waterfront views.
(10) Backyard Camping Time
Pitch a couple of tents — one for the adults and one for the kids — right in your own backyard and enjoy a night spent outdoors. Pack a picnic-style dinner, tell a few scary stories, play some outdoor games, and have lots of fun on your backyard campout. If backyard camping inspires you to plan a bigger adventure, you can always reach out through the Havasu Springs Resort contact and location page to start organizing a trip to the lake.
(11) Planned Nature Hike
Take the family on a scheduled nature hike to a nearby city, state, or national park and explore the great outdoors together. Learn about the sights, sounds, and smells of spring by a park ranger or other qualified naturalist, and discover breathtaking hiking trails that offer stunning views. You can find an extensive list of hiking trails in and around the Lake Havasu area here.
This activity is perfect for nature lovers of all ages, and you can even time your trip to coincide with Havasu Springs Resort concerts and events for extra live entertainment.
(12) Delicious S’more Making
Invest in an inexpensive s’more maker to enjoy these sweet treats indoors. Your kids will love making the gooey marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker snacks, especially when you’re stuck inside on a rainy spring day. When the sun comes back out, you might trade the living-room campfire for a getaway at Havasu Springs Resort on Lake Havasu, where you can enjoy lakeside sunsets, pools, and plenty of outdoor family fun.
(13) Museums, Zoos, and More
Visit a local museum, including free museums, zoo, botanical garden, theme park, aquarium, historical site, natural history museums, and other historic sites or places of interest to give your entire family a spring break experience that they’ll remember for a long time. Look for special discounts, free admissions, and other budget-busting savers before you go.
(14) Games, Puzzles, and Spring Break Activities
Purchase a few board and card games, jigsaw puzzles, and a tea set to provide hours of family fun together at home during spring break. Younger kids are sure to enjoy dressing up for a special tea party with the adults and their favorite stuffed animal friends and dolls.
(15) Simple Outdoor Barbecue
Light up your outdoor grill to cook a simple barbecue menu of hot dogs and hamburgers for your family. Enjoy your meal in the fresh spring air on your patio or deck with traditional favorites, like potato salad and baked beans.
Having fun with your family members over spring break is doable without draining your savings. Pick out your favorites from the 15 activities listed in this article that best suit your family’s budget and interests. Make this spring break a simple, budget-friendly, and fun-filled family affair.
