Tips on surviving March Break (Staycation)

Sunday is half-way done, and we’re leading into a full-week of screaming children, trying to figure out when time starts and ends in one day. If you’re like me who’s taking on a staycation instead of a fun trip outside the country, then you’re going to need some tips on how to get through the week without spending a ton, just to make it fun.

In case you’re not a frequent visitor on my blog, I have three children, Apollo (8), Artemis (2), and Cassiopeia (1). The ages of my kids, will probably determine the type of activity I’m going to engage in throughout the week, because my husband doesn’t get March Break off. He also cannot take the time off to invest into some planned trips within our city, because he’s swamped with a list of “finish me now” deadlines. So I’m truckin’ through March Break, alone. THAT’S OK though. The husband fill figure some night time activities with the kids.

Remember one thing: while March Break is usually for kids to take a load off from school, it’s also a week you’re taking off to take a break! So no pressure on having to pressure yourself on doing crazy, tiring adventures-unless you’re into that!

 

 

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

It’s inexpensive to eat at home, since you’re already home and not staying at a 4-5 star hotel outside of your country. Take that opportunity to save on meals. Take the kids on a trip to the grocery with you and pick-up items they want to incorporate into their meals. Come up with meals that require them to participate in the process. They’ll love the process, love what they’ve made and it’ll taste delicious for your wallet, with all that cash you’ll be saving on eating.

I understand not everyone want to make the trip to the grocery store with children in tow, but honestly if you have one of those groceries with tiny, training carts, it won’t be as bad. Allow them to create a list for themselves, and one-by-one check it off with them through the aisles. This may take a bit longer than usual, but again this fun experience goes under fun times during march break.

Allow a couple or few meals to be planned outside of home. Perhaps, two days of the week you go out for lunch at your local soup and sandwich joint you haven’t tried before, or their favourite restaurant. A few nights can be at your favourite dinner restaurant. Go out as little as you want, and do it on a budget you set right from the beginning of the week.

 

Invite Family over

Yes, some of you may be scoffing at your computer or mobile right now, thinking are you nuts? That’s more work for me and march break is for me to take a break. Wait a minute..I promise I’m into something here.

 

The grandparents are coming towards the end of the weekday. They’ll be coming over from three hours away, for four days. A little more than half of the week they’ll come spend some time with the grandbabies. They’ve set-up excursions to the indoor waterpark we have in Windsor, and that means a pass for march break for unlimited, exhausting swimming for the “boy-child” ™.

Do you see what I did there? Having family over wont be the end of the world for your march break, break. They’ll come to give you a break, and gain their points on best grandparents ever! You’ll only really conjure up energy for breakfast, dinner, and hang-out time before bed. You can use your pass for breakfast and dinner at a restaurant instead of cooking yourself.

 

Local fun – mall, skyzone, frozen yogurt, etc..

• In between the days when you can’t send off your kids with the family, take them to your local favourite places. Apollo loves the only major mall in Windsor, Devonshire. I don’t know why, but he loves heading to that place more than the outlet mall. Perhaps, it’s the cinnabon store they have, or the tiny vendor for mini-donoughts that they have. Either way, it’s a few hours spent straining your eyes on checking out items you don’t necessarily need to buy. Go shopping for some spring/summer outfits for the kids. Great time to get it out of the way before the rush of season of-shoppers.
• We have a trampoline and go-kart place here called, Skyzone. An hour there, will surely tire out the kids, in time for a nap at home. Or maybe they wont make it pass the parking lot.
• After dinner dates to your local frozen yogurt joint, like Menchies, is always a fun drive to do for dessert!

 

 

 

 

 

At-home planned fun

It’s still quite cold in Windsor, ON (Canada), so we’re going to keep the fun indoors.

• Movie nights with popcorn and other snacks
• bedtime in a tent (playroom set-up or basement)
• game boards
• forts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party – your kid’s close friends who’s also on a staycation

Invite the parents. Make it into a party where the kids can hang out, entertain themselves, and make it into a pot lock. Pot-lock allows for less meals made or bought by you, and if you have yet to meet the other parents (like us), this is the best time to. It doesn’t suggest, leave your kids and come back. Buy a case of beer, a few bottles of cheap wine and you’re good for a night of partying with your kids. It’ll be loud, and probably get a little messy with a few kids, but that’s ok just for one day of the week. Remember you’re not inviting the whole class!

In the end, you’re entitled to create a week of whatever you’d like to do for March break. These tips are merely for your kids to survive a possible boring week, without losing your mind. Creating a chill, and inexpensive week is always awesome in my books.

Are you on a staycation for March break? What are you doing? Hit me up in the comments to share your tips!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

MM, out!