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Are you planning a Spring Break Staycation this year? I have pulled together plenty of affordable spring break activities and easy snacks to help keep your kids happy — plus a printable activity calendar and shopping list to make your time off simple, delicious, and most of all — FUN!
I know it’s hard to believe, but spring (and the accompanying break from school and other organized activities) is coming soon! I’m definitely looking forward to a slower pace and a vacation from the rushed everyday routine, BUT…I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t very concerned about having too much downtime and three bored little boys stirring up trouble!
So, I’ve done what I can to prepare…and I think that my ideas might help you out, too!
I’m embracing the season (and the warmer, sunnier weather) with a fresh spring wreath on the front door of our porch…
and best of all, I’ve plotted out a FUN and EASY boredom-busting plan to give us ALL something to look forward to during the week of Spring Break.
Since we’re not planning to travel, we’ll make the most of our “staycation” with affordable activities that the kids love (and that don’t stress me out)! Plus, my boys run on their stomachs. There’s just no way around it! Food is an absolute priority around here, so I’ve even managed to include some super-simple snack ideas to accompany our adventures. I’ve learned over the past six years that I can NEVER be too prepared when it comes to having food on hand. It works wonders to please, calm, and entertain cranky, tired, and hungry little appetites!
Here’s what I have in mind — feel free to make it your own by juggling the days around or pairing the food ideas with different activities. Just use this as a starting point to guide you in planning your own awesome staycation…or in our case a “Snackation”!
SPRING BREAK STAYCATION: ACTIVITY & SNACK PLAN!!
{You can download a PRINTABLE pdf copy of this schedule PLUS a shopping list HERE!}
Perhaps best of all? You can grab everything that you need for the week at Walmart! Look how excited this little guy was when we landed on the peanut butter and jelly aisle! He knows what he likes…
[Tweet “Have a spring break #staycation with affordable activities and easy #snacks for kids! #snackation”]
MONDAY: Visit a Farm, Zoo, Petting Park (or Even a Pet Store).
It’s no secret by now that we LOVE to take advantage of nice weather by getting outside and visiting some animals! We’re lucky enough to live in the country where we’re surrounded by plenty of easily accessible options, but I assure you that you can find somewhere great in your neck of the woods, too.
We love Graves Mountain Farm here in Madison,
but the petting park at Yoder’s Country Market (just a mile from our house) is also a kid-pleaser!
For more of an “outing,” we might travel to the Reston Zoo up north (you can see our previous adventures HERE),
or on a rainy day…visit a PET STORE! You’d be amazed by how long kids can be entertained at a little shop. The trick? Just make sure that you don’t go home with an unintended new critter!
And of course, snacks are required! For a quick trip to a nearby farm, I keep it simple with one of Gibbs’s absolute FAVORITES: Jif to Go® Peanut Butter with pretzels for dipping!
It’s a mess-free, portable, no-work option that everyone LOVES!
Can’t beat that creamy-crunchy-salty-sweet combo! Doesn’t Gibbs look like he’s in a state of bliss?!?
TUESDAY: Do an Art Project.
I have shared tons of kid-friendly and easy art projects on this blog over the past few years, but some of our favorites for spring include Painting a Bird House,
and making Windchimes. You might also like to put together a Paper Flower Bouquet to decorate your home, or paint some flower pots! They’re all affordable options that only require simple supplies!
Then, for an easy snack or a light lunch while the kids work, you can serve some Peanut Butter and Jelly Crackers. Casey is my strawberry jam LOVER and he can’t get enough of these!
The Smucker’s® Squeeze™ Strawberry Fruit Spread makes a dollop on top quick and easy!
WEDNESDAY: Schedule a Play Date with Friends.
By the middle of the week, I know that my boys will be missing their school buddies! Inviting friends over for playtime and snacks is a great way to keep the little ones entertained…and it might even give you a break! Casey and his bestie, Aidan, love to sit together and build Minecraft worlds, construct Lego ships,
and run around outside (often with lightsabers in hand!).
And I can assure you that snack breaks are ALWAYS included in the fun!
I’m going to make your life really sweet with this little recipe…
I use the Smucker’s® Squeeze™ Strawberry Fruit Spread to create a fun design on the top of my 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter and Jelly Dip! Kids love the taste of this creamy treat, and you can customize the dippers to suit every palate. Graham crackers, fruit, pretzels, and cookies are all delicious dunkers!
You can find the recipe for my 3-ingredient dip at the end of this post! Trust me…it’s PERFECT for play dates!
THURSDAY: Go for a Hike in the Woods or Head Out on a Gem Mining Expedition.
Our go-to entertainment with the kids is a quick walk outdoors. The fresh air makes everyone feel better, and it’s an easy way to burn off that endless boy energy! We often just head to the local nature trails or to a path in Shenandoah National Park (which is just a few miles away).
But if the weather is warm enough, a “gem mining” trip is a definite favorite! In other words, we pack our bags with towels, dry clothes, and a picnic and then head into the woods in search of a creek and some awesome rocks!
Buckets, shovels, and a sieve are great accessories…but they’re not necessary. Hands work well, too!
For a portable, family-friendly picnic, you can’t go wrong with Smucker’s® Uncrustables®, which you just thaw and eat! So great for outdoor activities, travel, and snacking on-the-go because they don’t make a mess, they’re ready when you need them, and they don’t require refrigeration as they thaw. Plus, at about 200 calories (and 6 grams of protein), they’re a delicious and satisfying snack for adults, too!
Here’s a typical picnic lunch for us: Smucker’s® Uncrustables®, fruit, pretzels, and a yogurt tube. I stock up on our favorite yogurt tubes at Walmart as well, since they pack so nicely in lunch boxes. You can freeze them and let them thaw in the bag so that they’re still cold at lunchtime (and they don’t require a spoon!).
Perfect picnicking!
FRIDAY: Set up an Outdoor Sports Course.
If you have a yard, just pull out your favorite equipment and use what you’ve got. Live in a city? Take some balls to a playground or park and use the equipment that’s there! You can see a few ideas from our backyard Sports Course HERE!
Once your crew is hot, sweaty, and in need of refreshment, cool them down with a Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie (recipe at the end of the post)…
always one of Spencer’s favorites!
And it’s best paired with a special treat: Smucker’s® Uncrustables® in the chocolate hazelnut flavor.! OH.MY.GOSH. these are SO good! Plus, the combination of the chocolate with the cool and creamy peanut butter and banana smoothie is heavenly.
My chocoholic, Gibbs, can’t get enough of these little goodies…
Look at that filling!
So, are you feeling a little bit better now? Confident that you can keep your kiddos active, busy, and properly fueled for plenty of spring adventures? Don’t forget: you can download a printable calendar and shopping list HERE, and you can stock up on everything that you need for your #snackation at Walmart! Get ready to watch them SMILE!!
The super-simple recipes for the dip and the smoothie can be found below. Enjoy!!
Ingredients
- 6 ounces about ¾ cup low-fat vanilla yogurt (Greek-style or regular)
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 1 large frozen banana I like to peel and slice a banana before I freeze it. Then wrap the slices in plastic wrap and put in freezer until ready to use
- 2 tablespoons Jif® creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Serve immediately.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M Smucker Company . The opinions and text are all mine.