The air is finally getting warmer, the sun is out longer, and we can see the home stretch of the end of the school year. That can only mean one thing, spring is finally here! After a LONG winter, we are all ready for some sunshine, and some fun! Spring Break is always a time of the year me and my teen look forward to, as it’s a nice way to welcome in better weather, and to also recharge and get ready to finish out the school year strong. Some years we take vacations, others we just lounge around the house. This year, with the rising gas and travel prices, we have decided to stick around our local(ish) area and explore the fun we have right here at home. This got me thinking that I bet some of you are looking for fun, and cheap, ideas for spring break with teens, so I wanted to share with you some of our favorite spring break ideas from years past! I hope you enjoy them, and find an idea for your family this year! Let’s check them out!

Fun (and cheap!) Ideas For Spring Break With Teens

1. Play tourist in your own city- This is one of our favorite things to do. Look up what attracts tourists to your city (or the closest major city to you) and plan a day taking in the sites and sounds the way a tourist would. Eat at the popular restaurant that always  has a long line, hop in that store that has all the branded merchandise, and make sure to take too many pictures just like a tourist! 

2. Spend a few days on the lake- Spending time at the lake is good for the soul. The sunshine, the connection with nature, and the fun to be had on a wave runner can’t be beat! A lot of lakes have cabins for rent, as well as water equipment! It’s a great way to unplug from the phones and really spend some quality time together as a family. Plus you can build a base tan before summer starts! 

3. Take an art class- We have a really cool place called Painting with a Twist where the offer really cool art classes and you can bring your own drinks and snacks. They even have family classes where the adults and kiddos can make some art together. Check out your local area to see if any fun art classes are offered. You get a fun experience and a cool new piece of art to take home with you. 

4. Visit a local farm. We found out recently that lots of farms in our area were open to the public. Our favorite is a local goat farm! They offer educational tours, a full store with fresh veggies, cheeses, and meats, and the best part, you can actually hang out with the animals! And it was super cost effective and a great way to spend a day with the family. Plus, putting money towards a local farm helps keep them open and active in your community. Win-Win! 

5. Try something new at home. The nest thing about Youtube is the vast amount of tutorials and classes, all available for free! We grabbed a paint pouring kit from the local craft store and a great tutorial and got to work. It was fun to be able to try something new and be able to do it in the comfort of our own home. We could laugh as loud as we wanted and have snacks and fun. It was cheap and fun way to spend a day at home that different involve staring at our phones or computers. 

6. Check out Groupon deals for your area. Groupon is one of my favorite ways to save money for any time of the year, but especially during school breaks. You will see deals for all kinds of things. We found an awesome local tea shop through groupon. We paid 1/2 price and got to be a part of an amazing Chinese tea ceremony and lunch. They have deals for actives, beauty services, hotels, and more. Highly recommend checking them out! 

7. Visit you local arcade- An arcade is a great way to spend the day with your teen. Whether you have a big chain like Dave and Busters, or a local owned arcade (which are always the best, in my opinion) grab your teen and your sense of competition and head out! A lot of arcades offer wristbands for all day play, which really helps keep down the cost. 

8. A visit to your local fun park. Another family favorite around here is our local fun park. Ours offers go karts, mini golf, an arcade, batting cages, snacks, and a VR rollercoaster. It’s super cost effective is they offer packages and specials for week days. And who doesn’t love beating their teens at go karts right? 

9. A trip to your local zoo or aquarium. A lot of zoos/aquariums offer deals for locals and for week days. And it’s easily an all day event that everyone is sure to love. To save a little money, make sure you pack your own lunch! 

10. Last but not least, check out your local theater scene! My teen is a theater kid, so we are always checking for local plays in our area. Whether it’s a Broadway show or a local production from our community theater, going to see a play is always a fun way to spend a day out! 

What are your spring break plans? Let me know in the comments below! 

Looking for more spring fun? Check out my 12 spring cleaning tips! And get your craft on with these 11 easy spring crafts to do with the kids. 

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