Money Smarts Blog

While it might be nice to escape the cold and snow this month with a spring break getaway, the cost of hotel rooms and plane tickets for the whole family can quickly eat away at your budget.

If staying home is a more realistic option for you and your family, check out these tips for a fun spring break “staycation.” You’ll have so much fun you won’t even notice the cold.

…Okay maybe that’s a stretch, but it might take your mind off it for a while!

Be a tourist in your home town Whether you’ve lived in your hometown your whole life or just moved in, you probably haven’t experienced all there is to do. Check out a new exhibit at a local museum, catch a local artist performing at your favorite coffee shop, or visit that new restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. Plan it the same way you would if you were out of town—learn as much as you can about what your city has to offer and have your family help plan the day. If your town doesn’t have much in the way of adventure, plan a day trip and discover a fun new place nearby.

Movie marathon When’s the last time you watched the entire Star Wars saga? A movie marathon is the perfect staycation activity when it’s too cold outside. Spend the whole day (or evening) in your pajamas or comfy clothes, and relax at home. It’s a great way to share your favorite movies with your kids, or check out new releases. If your family is older, consider seeing all those Oscar movies you missed. Order pizza, pop some popcorn, and snuggle up.

Organize a scavenger hunt Depending on how old your kids are and how many adult chaperones you have, a scavenger hunt can be as small as your own backyard, or as big as your entire town. Hide goodies for your family to find, then hand out clues and maps. Make the clues as hard or as easy as you want. You can even write them as poems or puzzles and make it a learning activity by including historical fiction and easy math problems.

Go geocaching The official geocaching website describes this free activity as “a real-life treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices.” Use a specific set of GPS coordinates to find hidden objects in your area, and maybe see some cool new sights along the way. Geocaches are hidden world-wide, so there’s bound to be something for you and your family to find. Visit geocaching.com to learn more.

Have an outdoor adventure If it’s not too cold, go hiking or exploring at a state park or forest preserve near you. Pack a lunch, bring the camera, and make a day of it. If there’s snow on the ground, try cross country skiing or snowshoeing. If you don’t own equipment, parks or local businesses may have equipment available for rent.

Take advantage of member discounts IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union members get exclusive discounts to local events and attractions for the whole family. Visit ihmvcu.org/memberdiscounts to find out more.

No matter what you end up doing with your time, it will feel more like a vacation if you treat it like one. Block off your calendar like you would if you were going on a real vacation, avoid the urge to do housework, and enjoy time with your family.

While it might be nice to escape the cold and snow this month with a spring break getaway, the cost of hotel rooms and plane tickets for the whole family can quickly eat away at your budget.

If staying home is a more realistic option for you and your family, check out these tips for a fun spring break “staycation.” You’ll have so much fun you won’t even notice the cold.

…Okay maybe that’s a stretch, but it might take your mind off it for a while!

Be a tourist in your home town Whether you’ve lived in your hometown your whole life or just moved in, you probably haven’t experienced all there is to do. Check out a new exhibit at a local museum, catch a local artist performing at your favorite coffee shop, or visit that new restaurant you’ve always wanted to try. Plan it the same way you would if you were out of town—learn as much as you can about what your city has to offer and have your family help plan the day. If your town doesn’t have much in the way of adventure, plan a day trip and discover a fun new place nearby.

Movie marathon When’s the last time you watched the entire Star Wars saga? A movie marathon is the perfect staycation activity when it’s too cold outside. Spend the whole day (or evening) in your pajamas or comfy clothes, and relax at home. It’s a great way to share your favorite movies with your kids, or check out new releases. If your family is older, consider seeing all those Oscar movies you missed. Order pizza, pop some popcorn, and snuggle up.

Organize a scavenger hunt Depending on how old your kids are and how many adult chaperones you have, a scavenger hunt can be as small as your own backyard, or as big as your entire town. Hide goodies for your family to find, then hand out clues and maps. Make the clues as hard or as easy as you want. You can even write them as poems or puzzles and make it a learning activity by including historical fiction and easy math problems.

Go geocaching The official geocaching website describes this free activity as “a real-life treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices.” Use a specific set of GPS coordinates to find hidden objects in your area, and maybe see some cool new sights along the way. Geocaches are hidden world-wide, so there’s bound to be something for you and your family to find. Visit geocaching.com to learn more.

Have an outdoor adventure If it’s not too cold, go hiking or exploring at a state park or forest preserve near you. Pack a lunch, bring the camera, and make a day of it. If there’s snow on the ground, try cross country skiing or snowshoeing. If you don’t own equipment, parks or local businesses may have equipment available for rent.

Take advantage of member discounts IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union members get exclusive discounts to local events and attractions for the whole family. Visit ihmvcu.org/memberdiscounts to find out more.

No matter what you end up doing with your time, it will feel more like a vacation if you treat it like one. Block off your calendar like you would if you were going on a real vacation, avoid the urge to do housework, and enjoy time with your family.