It’s coming — Those one to two weeks that appear each spring where the pressure is on for a quality “family spring break” trip. While the opportunity for time lounging on the sand or floating in the pool is fantastically appealing, spring break is also an excellent time to think outside of the box and craft a getaway that generates life-long memories.
For families with kids of all ages, there are a number of trip ideas that break the mold of your standard spring break:
Make Your Break About Helping Others: Volunteer vacations are not a new concept; organizations such as Global Volunteer Initiatives and Habitat for Humanity and even activities such as faith-based mission trips have transported individuals and families around the world for decades. While these might traditionally be thought of as either a summer break or gap year/post graduation activity, examine short-terms options of one-two weeks where your family can work together on a mission or cause you are passionate about. The takeaway sense of accomplishment is worth far more than any other souvenir.
Get Moving Together: Especially if you have spent the last few months battling winter blues or blahs or lounging in sweats, spring break is a perfect time to embrace movement. However, as any parent knows, motivating kids to get up and get going can be an uphill battle. One option for spring break is a trip that incorporates movement into the journey — Think biking from town to town, hiking through hillsides heading for waterfalls and lakes. Companies such as Backroads organize trips where your primary transport might be your feet or a bicycle wheel, as opposed to a car or bus. Definitely an ideal choice for families with older kids, you can spend your day actually seeing the destination as you move through it versus speeding by with heads down looking at a tablet or smart phone.
Explore a New Hobby Together: This can be a fun way to incorporate something new as a take-home family activity after the vacation is over. One great option is to examine AirBnB properties in different markets and the accompanying activities available in each locale. Do you have a youngster that really likes to cook? Consider a week-long cooking course that progresses skills along the way, then use those skills as a family after the vacation ends!
Trace Your Family Roots: The huge proliferation of online databases and family genealogy research makes it easier than ever to plan a family heritage vacation. Spend time reviewing all your existing known family history and develop a list of questions, such as missing branches in the family tree, jobs and histories of key relatives and offspring across the country and beyond. Then, use this vacation time to visit part of that history — This can be anything as low-key as a visit to mom or dad’s hometown and time at all their old haunts and childhood homes to a long-distance trek to find where great-great-grandma immigrated from Italy and search for long-lost relatives. Those cannoli will taste more delicious if you know you are ordering from the same bakery your ancestors used to visit!
Go Full Language Immersion: This can be a great one if you have a student in your home studying a foreign language. Use the break to increase that proliferation and potentially brush up on your own skills with a weeklong foreign language immersion school. As a bonus explore a new culture with a homestay in your destination, further encouraging ongoing language use. Remember to also think out of the box for this one; Spanish immersion doesn’t mean just Mexico — You could head to Spain or Ecuador or Costa Rica! French immersion can take place in French-speaking locales such as Canada or even parts of Africa!
Or, Go in a Totally Different Direction with a Meditation Retreat: OK, this might not be for all families, but, for those who are struggling to disconnect from devices (looking at you too, Mom and Dad!), a multi-day meditation or yoga retreat could be a good way to reset and center your emotions without constant stimulation. Look for options featuring single day or even several day sessions of silent meditation — The removal of external stimuli can give your family the energy it needs to reconnect.
Finally, Ask the Kids What They Dream About: It’s tempting to just take charge and dictate family plans based on past experiences. A family spring break is a great time to ask your kids what really moves them. This is not necessarily a place they want to go but more an experience or feeling they wish to have. For example, does your youngest wish to sleep under the stars? Investigate dark-sky communities within driving or a short flight distance where you can combine a traditional resort getaway with at least one night camping under the sky in an glass-top cabin or open net tent. The memory will be the thing that lasts, not just the place, and those are the most priceless mementos of all.
