We had hoped to get away for a few days over my kids’ Spring Break, but my husband recently had unexpected surgery which will keep us here in the Indianapolis area. So I found myself trying to think of ideas for our “stay-cation” that will be fun and healthy without breaking the bank.

Here’s what I came up with:

1. Hearty & healthy breakfast: If your family is like mine, elaborate breakfasts do not happen on school days. But you can use the leisure of Spring Break to make a big, healthy breakfast to share. Go for whole-grain pancakes, fruit-loaded smoothies, omelettes packed with fresh veggies, maybe even fresh-squeezed orange juice. Put everyone to work creating the feast, then serve it on your good dishes for a real fancy feel.
2. Signs of Spring hike: Grab the camera and take a walk with your eyes open for signs of spring. Set a specific number of things you’re looking for or set a specific length of time you want to walk. Things your kids might notice as signs of spring could include worms on the sidewalk, crocuses and tulips sprouting, windows on houses opened or kids riding bikes.
3. Hit the courts: Head to the local park, neighborhood playground or school to take advantage of the basketball and tennis courts. You don’t even have to play by the official rules. Make up your own games. Instead of HORSE, play SPRING BREAK on the basketball court or on the tennis court count how many volleys you can get back and forth over the net without missing.
4. Go geocaching: Geocaching is like a high-tech scavenger hunt. All you need is a handheld GPS unit. You can get one for about $80 at Target or use the GPS on your cell phone. Visit geocaching.com to find a cache hidden near you. You’ll be amazed at how many there are — all over the world. Then head out and get hunting. For a more detailed description of how geocaching works, click here.
5. Plan and dig a vegetable garden: It may be a little too early to put plants in the ground, but Spring Break is a great time to start thinking about a vegetable garden. Talk with your kids about what vegetables you’d like to grow, how big of a plot you’ll need to grow them in. Head outside to mark the boundaries of your garden and dig up the soil, turning it over and adding new soil if necessary to prepare the dirt for planting. You’ll be tasting the rewards of this Spring Break activity all summer long. If you’re really itching to plant, start pots of herbs such as basil, parsley and chives in pots on a sunny windowsill inside.
6. Try out a new park: We have a great park near our house. While we love going there, it doesn’t really feel like a treat to be there because it’s become familiar. So I think we’re going to check out a new park, somewhere we’ve never been. For a list of parks to consider, visit Indy Parks or the website of the parks department in your city or county.
7. Take an organic field trip: Trader’s Point Creamery is a great, inexpensive destination. At just $2 per person for a self-guided tour, it’s hard to beat. Private tours for groups of 12 or more start at just $6 per person. At 4pm each day,  you can stand inches away from grass-fed cows being milked. Then walk around the grounds to check out the rest of the herd and get up close and personal with the free-range chickens. Finish the trip with a  visit to the The Loft restaurant where you can get the most delicious homemade ice cream or yogurt and granola parfaits. Lunch and dinner are also served. Visit the TPC website for details.

I’m sure there are plenty of other great family fun and fit ideas for a Spring Break stay-cation. I’d love to hear yours!

Tags: cooking with kids, geocaching, stay-cation, Traders Point Creamery

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