Vacations

Spring break for the little and big kids!

Spring break is a rallying point for all ages! It’s the perfect opportunity to organize activities and getaways with family or friends.

For children, the memory of a day in the woods or urban exploration is just as precious as an expensive vacation.

Spring break takes all of its meaning when we use it to break the routine. When planning different activities for this period, always keep in mind not to "do things as usual". Depending on your children’s age, changing the usual routine is an opportunity to add some excitement to your outings or simply change your family’s habits.

Here are some original ideas :
  • Have a « reverse » day, where everyone has to dress with their clothes in reverse, answer the opposite of what they mean... mixed up ideas and laughter guaranteed!
  • Make only 2 meals per day, meaning a brunch and a lunch-dinner. You can add an evening snack to it… mini-pizzas or popcorn will certainly put you in the spring break atmosphere.
  • The day after a day spent outdoors, have a pyjama day!
  • Have dinner made exclusively of desserts! Every family member could prepare their own recipe.
  • Dress everyone up to go out for a little promenade, just before bedtime! Just do things you don’t usually do in your daily routine.
You can’t take the week off...

Of course, not all parents can take the week off. That’s when you have to use your contacts! Yep, we all have a big network, friends, neighbors, siblings, parents, and friends of our children, etc.. Don’t be shy, because they may be just as preoccupied as you are, and if they’re not, you’re opening the door to future opportunities!

You could take your child and their friends for a day of activities, and then these friends’ parents could, in turn, do the same. This way, every child could have a few days of fun without their parents having to use up all their vacation time!

It could also be the perfect opportunity to take a day to cook with grandma. Or take a trip to Montreal by subway with Aunt Michele. And why not take the commuter train to get there? Children love trains!

Activities for the whole family
  • Skating, outdoors or at the local arena.
  • There’s an indoor pool in every neighborhood, so find out about the opening hours and the minimum age at which kids don’t need to be accompanied by an adult.
  • Go to one of the many nature parks, you may be able to rent snowshoes or skis!
  • Find out about the many activities available in museums in your area. There are often workshops for kids during spring break.
  • Go eat a croissant in a different city… by commuter train!
  • Parents, get your snowsuits out and go tobogganing at the local park!
  • Invite your child’s friends to a picnic… in your living room!
  • For video game obsessed teens, organize a tournament and write down the teams and their scores on big cardboard on the wall.
  • Organize a bowling tournament and randomly pick the teams. Even the older kids will participate!

Spring break is not always popular with parents, but children eagerly await it. So think ahead and plan the week with other parents who must also find a solution to this break in their routine. We’re often a little too reluctant to use our community to give us a hand. We just have to dare the first time... our children will be more than happy!

Image de Motherforlife.com


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