Best Staycation Spring Break Ideas for Tweens and Teens
Staycations can be great! When Spring Break comes, we usually look for places outside of our hometown to get away. But playing tourist in your own city can be really interesting and fun. For those who aren’t heading out of town, here are the best local spring break vacation ideas for tweens and teens.
Tip: Start with your local visitors or tourism office. You’ll be surprised what you may find in your town. So many times we are involved in our daily routine we forget that our city is changing right in front of us.
- Trampoline Park
Trampoline parks are cropping up everywhere! If you’re looking for the best year-round indoor fun, a trampoline park is a perfect place for your entire family. Places like Urban Air Trampoline Park offer a multitude of activities, ranging from the obvious (trampolines) to laser tag, obstacle courses, virtual reality, sky riders, climbing walls, bumper cars and more. Seriously, this kind of place requires more than one visit.
- Great Wolf Lodge
The Great Wolf Lodge is like camping-without the mosquitos or campfires. With locations in 18 cities across North America and 1 location in Canada, you’re sure to find one in your neck of the woods. If you’ve never been, you’re in for a nice indoor weekend camping adventure! Most of the lodges feature an indoor pool and waterpark, adventures and workshops for the kids, shows, dining, shopping, and yoga. The rooms offer themed rooms, too, like the Wolf Den Suite which features rustic bunk beds.
- A Zoo Trip and Picnic
A trip to the zoo for the day can be very relaxing and educational. The best time to go can be in the spring when the weather is comfortable. Be sure to check with your local zoo to see about bringing in your own picnic lunches before you go. Otherwise, pack a cooler and enjoy a nice lunch at a nearby park or botanical garden.
- Horseback Riding
Many towns offer horseback riding in rural areas. For those living in the city, you may have to make a trip out of city limits for a horseback riding adventure. But if your tweens and teens have never experienced the joy of riding a horse along a trail, it may be a good time to discover it! Make sure to wear the appropriate riding gear and check the ratings for the sables to ensure safety standards are met and the animals are well cared for.
- A Day at a Nearby Lake or the Beach
For many, a trip to the lake or a beach may be out of the question if the weather is still too cold in your region. If, however, you are lucky for a 70+ degree day, head out for some sunshine and a picnic. Rent a boat or jet skis, build sandcastles, bring your biggest floaties, try out stand up paddleboarding, go beachcombing, and take family photos. - Visit a National Park
Nearly every state has its own national park. America’s 58 National Parks—which span 27 states—are full of natural wonders just waiting to be discovered. The perfect vacation destination for nature lovers and travelers on a budget.
National Park entrance fees vary, but even the most iconic destinations will only set you back a few bucks. A vehicle permit for the Grand Canyon, for instance, only costs $30, while weeklong individual passes to Yellowstone cost only $15 per person. National Parks periodically offer free entrance days and free entrance for Miliary families. Find a National Park Near You
- Museum Day and Lunch
Check out a museum you’ve never been to or haven’t visited in a long while. The museums will be catering to tourists and you never know what exhibits or programs will be going on. Stop in a totally new restaurant you’ve never been to for lunch. Check out Google or Yelp for places with the best reviews. You never know what you’ll discover!
- Skiing
For some in the northern states, skiing goes well into the spring. Check your local ski resorts and get away for the day or the weekend! Most ski resorts offer beginner classes for kids and adults who have never been skiing, and equipment rentals can be obtained at the resort. Just bring yourself, some warm clothes and a spirit of adventure!