Keeping (Kids) Busy Over Spring Break

March 8, 2011 | Posted by Live Free

Racking your brain over Spring Break this year? You may not have anything on your to-do list for your children, but here are some activities you probably want them to avoid:

- Spending the week watching television

- Getting into trouble with their friends

- Putting in endless hours mastering their video games

One thing you can do is plan your family vacation around Spring Break. Use that week to get away with your family and spend quality time doing activities where you can learn, have fun, and talk to your children all week long.

Vacation doesn’t have to be a far-away destination. If you live in the Tampa Bay area, there are plenty of local vacation options. You could go camping in Ocala, spend a week in Sarasota, or tour historic St. Augustine. You can also find plenty to do in downtown St. Pete—going to baseball games at Al Lang Field, visiting the Holocaust Museum and the Dali Museum, and just enjoying the downtown atmosphere!

If taking vacation is not possible, there are other options, but one thing is for sure: if you are not going to be around all week, you should plan things for your children to do. Being in the loop with other parents could be a huge help. If your kids’ friends have plans, talk to the parents about your kids joining in. This will ensure that they all have fun, stay busy, and keep out of trouble.

In Tampa, there are several museums that can make for all-day activities:

- MOSI, with its new interactive bug exhibit

- The Glazer Children’s Museum

- The Tampa History Museum

- The Salvador Dali Museum (in St. Pete)

Volunteering can also be fun for your children and is a great way to teach them the importance and value of giving back to the community. There are a ton of volunteer organizations that teens can be involved in, whether it is through the local church or a nonprofit like the Boys and Girls Club, Community Stepping Stones, or Feeding America. For more ideas on volunteering, follow the link to our post: Community Activities Kids Can Do Instead of Drugs.

You could also try taking them to the library and recreation center or look for family classes around town. Sometimes there are classes offered in the library, the county extension office, a local church, or even a community garden or CSA.

Last but not least, there is always camp. Whether your kids are into sports, crafts, dancing, or music, there is always a camp that offers week-long options for Spring Breakers!

For more ideas, or specific information on drug-free living and anti-drug avocation, visit our website by clicking here: LiveFree!

Source:

Parenting.com

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