A kid-approved spring break guide
From sunny beaches to mountain slopes to leisurely staycations!
This time of year looks a little different for every family, but one thing is certain: Even with the stress of travel, joy can still be found in the most unexpected places.
With spring break season in full swing, we asked five parents to reflect on the destinations that led to new discoveries—the trips they never wanted to end. They also shared a few ideas for embracing off-duty fun at (or close to!) home. Because the more we keep an open mind, the more we’re able to create experiences that stay with our kids for a lifetime.
One of our most memorable spring breaks was a trip to Costa Rica—it was the first time visiting for all four of us, and there’s something so special about experiencing a place together when everything feels new. Getting there was half the adventure. We had to take this tiny prop plane to reach a remote hotel tucked into the jungle, and the kids thought that alone was the coolest thing they’d ever done. Once we arrived, every day felt like a discovery of something new.
We hiked through the jungle, swam under waterfalls, and visited a small sugarcane farm where the family showed us how they make it the traditional way. While we were there, they made us the most incredible breakfast—black beans, sweet plantains, huge buttery avocados, and fresh-squeezed juice—served outside at a long table. We drank strong Costa Rican coffee while the kids ran around with their animals and explored the property. It was one of those trips where the days felt simple but rich. Being in nature together, having long stretches without schedules or screens, and sharing all these “firsts” as a family made it a week I’ll never forget.
- Camille Styles, Mom of two
Last month, we took our kids to our very first all-inclusive resort in Mexico and they had the best time of their lives. While all-inclusives might not be “luxury” in the traditional sense, it felt luxurious to not have to make so many decisions. I didn’t have to think about transportation, restaurant reservations, or planning activities. It was all just there, ready for us to enjoy.
My favorite memory from the trip was the last night when they hosted a big “Mexican Fiesta” evening. We all ate and danced, the kids got their faces painted, and it was just such a joyful night all around. It was also really nice to travel with older kids who aren’t toddlers anymore. At one point my daughter was reading next to me on a beach chair while my husband and son threw a football for what felt like an hour. Those little moments of everyone being happy and relaxed at the same time are the ones I’ll remember most.
- Julia Dzafic, Mom of two
Our spring break isn’t the typical sun-drenched beach vacation. Instead, we head for the mountains. It’s a deliberate, final embrace of the cold that has become one of our most cherished family traditions. There are so few activities that truly bridge the generational gap, but on the slopes, our five-year-old, eight-year-old, and the grandparents are all part of the same story. Traveling with a close-knit group of friends adds a layer of community that feels increasingly rare.
There is such magic in the rhythm of a ski trip: long days on the mountain surrounded by peaks and pine, followed by the slow, lazy post-ski hours of puzzling or reading while the kids play. We finish each day with a long, lingering meal before dropping dead asleep. These trips serve as the perfect punctuation mark to the season. There is something poetic about spending the final days of winter immersed in deep (hopefully), high-altitude snow, only to return home to Brooklyn and find the first white snowdrops pushing through the dirt.
- Lauren Sands, Mom of two
At this stage, we’ve found that a resort vacation can make spring break feel easy and joyful for everyone. The kids are happy bouncing between the pool and the beach all day, and meals are simple because they’re perfectly content living on buttered pasta, chicken tenders, and french fries for a week. My husband and I also try to trade off kid duty so each of us can sneak in a little downtime. It’s a small thing, but it makes the whole trip feel more relaxing.
On a recent trip to the Bahamas, the highlights were all about the animals. My son (age seven) was completely fascinated with feeding the baby turtles and stingrays, and my daughter (age ten) couldn’t stop talking about getting to swim with the dolphins at the resort. Kai came back from his stingray and turtle feeding and excitedly recounted, "I got to help the girl next to me flip over her starfish!" Luckily my husband got some photos and videos of him with the sea life, I know that will be a core memory for him.
- Joyce Lee, Mom of two
On our Palm Springs jaunt, we arrived to hot weather and a horrendously long line for rental cars, meaning we'd need to entertain our grumpy post-flight toddler while one of us held a spot in line. I spread out an extra blanket, took out all the bits of snacks we had left, and all the little toys and stuffies to join us for a picnic in baggage claim. She had the best time feeding her piggy stuffy crackers and pretzels, playing "tea" with drink caps, and was genuinely sad to pack up at the end. (Now, I always make sure I have that extra blanket for travel so that any long wait time—even years later!—becomes teatime with whatever we happen to have. The best!)
As to be expected after a first night in a hotel, no one slept particularly well, and we rose with the sun. The best thing in those cases is always a walk first thing. We packed our stroller with extra water, snacks, and sunscreen, and while the morning was still cool, wandered the resort grounds in search of caffeine. Our toddler perked up as we named the colors of flowers, pointed out other kids and babies and morning groundskeepers, and soon we came to a wide reflecting pool. It was full of flamingos! We had no idea they would be there, and at the time they were her absolute favorite. Her utter joy at the "famingos" is etched in my heart.
- Emily Freidenrich, Mom of one
Ideas for a spring break at home 🩵
Encourage the unexpected
Even if you’re not traveling to a new place, you can still enjoy new experiences as a family. “Some of our most fun spring breaks have actually been the ones where we stayed close to home and treated the week like a mini reset,” Camille says. “I like to plan one ‘adventure’ each day. It doesn’t have to be big—trying a new hiking trail, biking somewhere for lunch, visiting a farmer’s market, or even exploring a neighborhood you’ve never spent time in.” Julia agrees, “Even if you’re staying close to home, novelty goes a long way with kids. Take them to hibachi, visit a museum or a play space you’ve never been to, or plan a spontaneous day trip.”
Get crafty
Beyond location, creating pockets of spring break joy starts with intention and creativity. “The school year moves so fast that we often find ourselves with a growing list of someday projects,” Lauren says. “Breaks at home are when we finally dive into that archive: complex crafts, new board games, or the involved cooking projects the kids have been asking for. We also open up the ‘imagination station,’ which is basically a part of our family room where we pile up clean garbage: old shoe boxes, toilet paper holders, packaging, really whatever we have saved up that the kids can use to create with. These moments of slow, focused creativity at home become the memories that stick.”
Slow down whenever possible
From getting more sleep to uninterrupted playtime to family movie days, there are plenty of little things to add to a spring break itinerary—if we slow down enough to appreciate them. “You'll know what your family needs best, but don't feel guilty for staying close to home and just… being,” Emily adds. “This year, we made a big batch of banana muffins with rainbow sprinkles. Beating the cooking timer while we got ourselves ready for the day and cleaned up was timed perfectly to a warm muffin reward.”
Make the everyday feel a little more special
As kids grow up, spring break rituals change, but maintaining excitement starts with everyday magic. Joyce recommends creating one small tradition for the week. “It could be a nightly card game or letting the kids plan a dinner,” she says. “Kids don’t necessarily need a big trip—they just love the feeling that something special is happening.”
Ready to share your own moment of unexpected joy in parenthood? Send it to us here. 👋
Thank you for including me!! I took some notes on great new tips, we are off to Tokyo tomorrow for Spring break! 🤍