[:en]It’s not always feasible to go on a vacation during your children’s spring break, but that doesn’t mean you can’t all have a great time as a family. Instead of wasting the week off from school, why not try one of these fun “staycation” ideas and have a restful, entertaining break right in the comfort of your own home or town? These ideas will make for a fun and memorable spring break with plenty of family bonding time and not a ton of expense.

Relax at the Pool

Just because you’re not staying at a fancy resort in the Caribbean doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some sunshine and pool time. Pack a thermos with a tropical beverage and a picnic lunch, and spend the day at your local pool, splashing around in the water and soaking in the sun. If it’s still cold outside where you live, look for an indoor pool or turn your living room into a beach for the day.

Have a Movie Day

What could be more relaxing during spring break than spending a whole day watching movies together in your pajamas? Agree to which movies you want to buy or rent ahead of time, make plenty of snacks, and have your family bring all their extra pillows and duvets to the living room for an afternoon.

Be a Tourist in Your Own City

Even though you’re staying in town for spring break, you can still be tourists. Now is the time for you and the kids to hit up all those museums and landmarks in your own town that you’ve somehow missed so far. If you live in Edmonton, for example, here is a great list of tourist attractions to get you started. You might want to take a family vote about which attractions to hit and which to skip, to avoid grouchy kids.

Go Tech-free for a Day

We’re all so glued to our devices these days that it can feel surprisingly restful to unplug for a day (or at least a few hours). Turn off the cell phones and tablets, and spend the day reading, playing board games, or exploring the outdoors together.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is a fun way to keep the kids occupied and entertained for a whole afternoon. You can create a scavenger hunt in your house, neighborhood, or city. In addition, some cities have organized group scavenger hunts you can sign up for. Here is a good guide to creating your own kid-friendly scavenger hunt.

However you choose to spend your spring break, we hope it’s peaceful and fun.[:]