Spring break is a time that college kids and educators look forward to all year long. Vacations and outings can be challenging because not all activities are suited for toddlers.
As an educator, the closer it gets to spring break, the more it feels like a permanent full moon! We start to feel the itch as much as the kids do.
This week the girls and I have done a little of everything while daddy has worked hard on the farm (no spring break for him). I’ve composed a list to help you recharge, and enjoy the break with your toddlers.
Outside Activities for Toddlers
Bubbles. This is one of our all-time favorite activities. Sometimes I get tired of blowing, so I invested in a bubble machine. I also bought small handheld bubble blowers to ease frustration when they couldn’t blow themselves.
Visit a local farm. Kids love watching animals, and some farms even let you hold them!!
Help you plant/water a garden. I don’t have a green thumb at all, but my husband does. The girls love taking their mini watering cans and helping him water the plants.
Draw with sidewalk chalk. This is another one of our favorite year-round activities. It’s a great way for me to reinforce numbers, letters, and shapes. Capitalize on their love for learning at this age!
Play with a water table. Depending where in the country you live, this may not be feasible just yet. Here in the south, some afternoons feel like the summer, so water play is perfectly acceptable.
Inside Activities for Toddlers
Finger paint. Okay, another messy toddler activity. But the great thing about washable paint is that no matter where they make the mess, it will wash off. I promise.
Bake cookies. You do the baking, they can help mix and lay on the cookie sheet.
Have a movie marathon at home. My girls love Paw Patrol right now. They could watch the same few movies over and over at home and be perfectly happy.
Teach them Zumba. Or Yoga. This week, this happened by default. I decided to get my tail in gear, so I started doing workouts again. Later that evening, Daphne was showing her daddy downward facing dog! The girls started asking me when we could exercise again. Yeah for little accountability partners!
Watch Baby Einstein and learn some sign language. Both of my daughters watched the (free) videos on YouTube when they were babies. Daphne will still sign and say words on occasion.
Free Activities for Toddlers
Go to the library for story time.
Visit Grandma.
Have fun with play dough. I know this is iffy for many parents (I used to be one of those parents). We just have a rule that it must stay away from the carpet and can only be used on their Little Tikes picnic table.
Take a trip to the park. If you need some exercise, the kids can play and you can chase them. Win, win!
Schedule a play date with friends. This one is a little trickier for us. I work in a different county 40 minutes away, so all of my five-year old’s friends require a commute for a play date.
Activities That Cost Money
Take a trip to the zoo.
Take a trip to the movies.
Sign up for swimming lessons.
Hire a baby sitter and have some quiet mom time. Kids love to play with the babysitter, and mom always needs some quiet time!
Go out for ice cream (or frozen yogurt for a healthier option). Check out your local shops and see who offers free ice-cream for toddlers.
What other activities do you like to do with your family during Spring Break? Comment below and share your ideas with me!
A trip to the aquarium is always lots of fun too. I have to do quite a few things that are on your list. My little one has been ill so we’re going to catch up as soon as she gets better.
I hope she feels better soon! I tried to list activities that weren’t extremely costly. The aquarium is a fabulous suggestion. I haven’t taken my daughters there yet. It’s on the list.