When spring break rolls around each year, as parents we are often faced with a dilemma, unless we already have plans in place...
When spring break rolls around each year, as parents we are often faced with a dilemma, unless we already have plans in place. We're at home with the kids all week and they have run out of activities to do. Of course, there are only so many board games you can play. But we've come up with some great activities that the kids can do while they are on spring vacation while teaching them to be mindful and to boost their mental wellbeing. We can help grow our child's minds just by helping them do simple things. But from those simple things, they learn big lessons.
Allowing your child to create their own piece of art provides them with a sense of accomplishment and encourages self-expression. The ability to say "I made this" helps them connect with their creativity, build confidence, and improve their mental well-being. Art becomes not just an activity, but a way to express emotions, ideas, and individuality.
You can introduce various art mediums for them to explore—painting, coloring, sculpting, or crafting are all excellent ways for children to express themselves. You could even find fun crafts on platforms like Pinterest to spark their imagination. This is a great way to introduce different techniques and see which ones resonate with them. You might be surprised to find that your child has a natural affinity for a particular medium, which could help them develop a lasting interest in art.
Moreover, engaging in these hands-on creative activities also helps reduce screen time, allowing them to connect more deeply with the world around them and their own creativity. The best part? They will have a physical piece of art that they can proudly display in their room, giving them a tangible sense of pride and accomplishment every time they look at it. This process also fosters patience, focus, and attention to detail—skills that can benefit them in many areas of life.
A gratitude jar is a wonderful activity that can teach your child the importance of gratitude and positivity. It allows them to reflect on the good things in their lives and develop an optimistic mindset. The process itself can be fun and creative, as kids get to paint and personalize their own jars, making them feel connected to the activity.
Once the jar is ready, you can help them write down notes of gratitude—these could be anything from family, friends, nature, to specific experiences that made them happy. Over time, they can add new notes, building a collection of positive memories. This practice not only encourages them to focus on the positive but also gives them something tangible to look back on when they need a little reminder of all the things they have to be thankful for.
The best part is that gratitude is an ongoing journey, and as the jar fills, it becomes a reflection of their growth and mindset. As they add more, they’ll likely start thinking more deeply about the everyday blessings they may have previously overlooked. If the jar gets too full, they can even make a bigger one or create new ones for different areas of their life (family, friendships, hobbies, etc.). This simple, yet meaningful activity can have long-lasting benefits for your child's emotional well-being.
When you and your children volunteer, you are all not only giving back to the community, but you are teaching them important life skills. Volunteering at a food pantry or soup kitchen are great places to start. There are also animal shelters, churches, senior centers and more that you can contact about any volunteer opportunities. These are great experiences for your children to learn about helping others, which is a skill that they will carry on with them into their adult lives, but it is especially good for their mental wellbeing.
Spring break is that time of year when all the flowers start popping up from their winter slumber, and of course that means beautiful greenery and flowers soon. Then the birds come back, and it is all a wonderful experience. One thing you can do to help your children practice mindfulness is to help them to connect with nature. Help them look for flowers, study the trees, even look at the tiniest of insects through a microscope. Helping them learn more about nature can also help them be mindful and present in the moment. Alternatively, you can also start a garden with your children. Springtime is certainly the time to do so. If you have access to a yard, you can always designate a place for a garden, dig it up - have the children help of course. Have them help choose the flowers, fruits or vegetables that you want to grow. They will be able to continually reap the benefits of learning about how a seed changes into a full-grown plant. They can follow it as it grows.
While this may not seem like a productive activity, it doesn't have to be. By sitting down as a family and choosing to watch something together fosters a loving and caring environment for your children, which in turn, makes them happy. Get your kids involved in the movie night, too. Ask them what movie that they would like to see, and ask them about any fun kind of snacks that they would like, too. You can make it like a real movie night in. Your kids will enjoy the movie, but for sure treasure the memory of all of the family gathered around the television to watch something awesome.
You're absolutely right—play is an incredibly powerful tool for both fun and personal development. It offers children an opportunity to express themselves freely, and it provides valuable insights for parents into their child’s inner world. Through play, kids can explore emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and practice social interactions in a relaxed environment.
Fantasy play, in particular, allows children to experiment with different roles, scenarios, and social dynamics. Whether they're pretending to be superheroes, explorers, or even running their own businesses, fantasy play helps them navigate real-world situations in a safe space. It also boosts creativity, communication skills, and emotional intelligence.
Moreover, when you engage in play with your child, you not only foster connection but also create a deeper understanding of how they think and feel. Sometimes, children may express thoughts or worries through their play that they can’t put into words otherwise. It’s a great way to bond, and it opens the door for meaningful conversations later on.
By involving yourself in their playtime, you show them that you value their world and imagination, which helps build trust and communication. Whether it's dolls, action figures, building blocks, or something else, the most important thing is the shared experience and the connection it creates.
There are a variety of activities that your children can do in order to boost their mental health over spring break. From creating something with their hands to helping out at a food pantry, there are many skills that your child can learn. Anything that fosters a good environment for children, and can help them grow their minds can be a wonderful activity for you to do with your child and help to boost their mental wellbeing. It's important to enjoy spring break for what it is - a break. But if you want to shake things up and create a fun schedule of activities for them, you will find that they rather enjoy these activities that are done with you.
https://citywise.org/11-home-activities-to-boost-kids-mental-health/
https://grownandflown.com/how-to-have-amazing-spring-break-at-home-teens-college-students/
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
Help your child by providing support and guidance, using positive language, highlighting the progress they have made, breaking down the challenge into smaller steps, and motivating them with positive affirmations.
