Six Budget-Friendly Spring Break Activities for Students That They'll Never Forget

As spring break approaches, excitement fills the air for students anticipating a well-deserved break from the classroom. However, this excitement isn't always matched by many parents wrestling with the cost of food and inflation in general. While fancy theme parks, road trips, and shopping may be on your student's minds, there is still a way to have amazing spring break experiences without breaking the bank.

In fact, intentional quality time creates the best heartfelt memories.  With a bit of creativity, love, and planning, families can embark on budget-friendly adventures that will leave lasting impressions on their students. 

On this #middleschoolMondayz, and for #transitiontuesdayz let's discuss a few ways you and your students can enjoy spring break for a fraction of the cost.

Schedule Mani and Pedi's: Mani and Pedi's are a stable of girl bonding in addition to spa days. You can either (just the two or three of you) go and get your nails done or host a creative spa day at home where you do them together. Places like Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree have incredible manicure sets and polish for under $15.

You'll also be able to find affordable single-packed face masques there or in your local beauty supply store. Add in some facials! You can rope off a selection in the home and convert it into your spa area with a nice Lofi or meditation music playlist. I'm sure you can also find "Home Spa Day" ideas on TikTok as well.

To raise the experience, get wrapped in matching bath towels or grab robes from Amazon for also under $15.

Grab a few plastic champagne flutes to provide a true spa-like experience. Pouring a nice Shirley's Temple (sprite, Grenadine, and/or cranberry juice) topped with cherries to fill those champagne flutes present royal treatment. If your budget allows, I also suggest ordering food for you both. This spa day can be perfectly executed for under $50 or less.  

Just remember that your delivery and how special you make it will help to build excitement. You can also create a cute and personalized invite on Canva and send it her way. She'll be super excited, I promise! 

Consider doing this beyond spring break (maybe quarterly) to help build deeper bonds with her. 

Get Crafty with DIY Projects: Tap into your student's creativity by organizing DIY craft sessions. DIY projects are always an exciting way to stimulate our senses and creativity. Whether it's making friendship bracelets or creating homemade slime with your younger students, countless projects can keep you both entertained for hours. One of my sentimental favorites is creating photo albums. Consider taking a couple of selfies together or collect your favorite photos of each other. 

Have these printed at your local CVS or Walmart for a low cost. Grab a couple of 4x6 photobooks from Micheals or HomeGoods and design the front of your photo albums with your selfies, stickers, or colored metallic Sharpies.

With your high schoolers, consider playing Master Chef, having a cook-off, and preparing a good meal. Whatever you choose, make it meaningful. Not only are these activities budget-friendly, but they also provide opportunities for bonding and self-expression.

Explore Free Cultural Sites:

Check out your city's community calendar for festivals or free events happening nearby. You can also explore local museums, historical sites, or art galleries for an enriching and educational experience. Plus, some of these places might offer free admission or discounted rates during spring break, so be sure to ask.

You can even use Eventbrite to find cool local events. These activities are not only a great way to prevent learning loss, but they're also an awesome opportunity to expose your students to art, history, and culture. 

Volunteer Together:

Every legacy-minded leader is actively involved in serving their communities and helping others. During spring break, families can take advantage of this opportunity to teach their children the value of giving back. Many local volunteer opportunities are suitable for families and can make a significant difference in the community.

VolunteerMatch.org is an excellent online resource to begin your search for local volunteer opportunities. Activities such as cleaning up a park, volunteering at a food bank, or visiting elderly residents at a nursing home create lasting memories and help cultivate empathy and compassion in students.

Get Some Sun: As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, a certain kind of magic puts a pep in our step (students and adults). The sun is free! So, take advantage of the good weather and schedule some outdoor activities.

You could make it a daily ritual to go for a walk, taking in the fresh air and the sights and sounds of nature. If you're feeling more adventurous, you might hit the trails for a hike or take to the pavement on skates or bikes. If you don't own any equipment, renting bikes for the day can be a great way to get some exercise and explore the outdoors.

For those who choose to walk, you should track each other's steps to outstep each other, adding a competitive element to your outing. This can be a fun way to challenge each other to be more active while supporting your overall health and well-being.

So why not make the most of the sunshine and get moving? Your body and mind will thank you for it!

Lastly, consider having a BBQ at the park; most pavilions can be rented for free or cheaply. If you have the BBQ at home, allow your student to invite 1-2 friends over and make it a mini kickback or social.

Host a Movie Marathon:

Why not transform your living room into a cozy movie theater and host a marathon? It's a great way to spend quality time together while enjoying cinematic bliss. 

To make the experience even more special, let your students curate the lineup with their favorite movies or series. This will allow them to share something they're passionate about with the family. 

Once you have your movie lineup set, set the mood. Dim the lights, close the curtains, and turn up the volume. And, of course, no movie marathon is complete without some snacks. Dollar Tree is the perfect place to pile up on snacks and even those cute little movie buckets like at the theater. I promise Dollar Tree does not sponsor this blog :). I just love that place!

Whip up a batch of popcorn, grab some candy, and settle in for a day of endless entertainment and relaxation. 

Not only is this a cost-effective way to have fun as a family, but it's also a great way to bond and create lasting memories. 

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In closing, there are many ways to create an unforgettable spring break that don't have to cost too much. By embracing the intimacy of connecting with each other, anything you do together can be memorable, fun, and meaningful. You'll also need to hype it up a bit, letting your girl(s) know you're looking forward to spending time with them. That's a special feeling within itself.

With a little imagination and resourcefulness, this spring break can be one for the books, leaving lasting impressions on your students for years to come.

Let me know what you're planning for spring break in the comments below.

Xo,

Coach Rahk