Museum Classroom #3- 10 Easy Breezy Spring Break Activities

Well, it is safe to say that Spring Break is not what we planned for. What is normally a crazy week at the Museum - with kids camps in full swing and visitors galore - will sadly be on the quieter side this year. As bummed as we are to be closed, we are determined to find the silver lining. Quieter days for us mean more time to reflect and build on ideas that often get placed on the back burner. Time to organize, re-jig the gallery, and dream big for the days when we are no longer 6 feet apart.

We are sending out all the positive vibes to our community as we know you are exhausted. If you are feeling COVID-fatigue, you are not alone. Go easy on yourself, you are doing amazing and just like all hard things, this too shall pass.

To help get you through the week ahead, we are sharing our top 10 easy breezy camp activities. These activities require little to no materials and will hopefully help combat any cries of “I’m bored” and “I don’t know what do.” You got this 😉   

1. Make play doh or if you are if you are feeling extra brave, oobleck! Both use common household items and bonus, can be saved in an airtight container for future use. 
2. Rescue the toys! For this activity you simply freeze small toys in water and then give your kids the task of freeing them by using warm water with syringes and salt. Simple, time consuming and a crowd pleaser. This link provides step by step directions, but don’t fret if you do not have a balloon handy to freeze your objects in. In the past, I’ve simply filled a recyclable container with water and froze the toy inside.
3. Solo cup towers. This has been my go-to camp activity for years, and it never fails. Give your child a big stack of red solo cups and watch them build castles, towers, and forts. Once they are finished, re-stack them and save them for another rainy day. The destruction of these towers is often as fun as building them too!
4. Colouring on a big roll of paper. So simple and better yet, often a quiet activity.  There is something about a big roll of paper that makes doodling extra fun. We literally just unroll a large roll of craft paper and let kids draw whatever they like. Or sometimes we give them a theme; your theme could be spring break or maybe your family name. 
5. Paper Airplanes. Another classic that never gets old! Step-by-step directions are available on how to make 4 different airplanes. Will you choose the falcon or the rocket? Next, have kids decorate their airplanes and then put them to the test in flying competitions - who can fly their airplane the furthest, kept in the air for the longest period of time, or test your skills by trying to throw them through, over and under obstacles. 
6. Coffee Filter Art. For this activity all you need are coffee filters, washable markers, and a spray bottle of water. Kids simply colour their coffee filter with the goal to fill the entire filter with colour. Then, spray the filter with water and watch as the different colours bleed together. Let it dry and voila, you have a beautiful piece of art! If you are feeling extra fancy, turn it into a butterfly by pinching it in the middle with a clothespin or pipe cleaners. 
7. Scavenger Hunts. We often use scavenger hunts to interact with Museum exhibits. They are so versatile, and kids really love them. See below for a list of different scavenger hunt ideas:
1. Hide a set of toys that the kids must find, such as hot wheels, paw patrol toys or Pokémon cards.
2. Go on a colour hunt, finding toys or objects that are the colours of the rainbow. For example, can you find a red object?
3. Take the activity outside and search for signs of spring such as a bird’s nest, worms, buds on a tree, rocks, etc.
4. This website has a great free printable with an indoor scavenger hunt as well as some ideas on how to extend the activity.
8.  Rock Pet. Find a rock outside, paint it and say hello to your new rock pet 😊 Start a painted rock garden, or a pet rock zoo. 
9. Eyewitness Game. This game can be played with as little as 2 people or the whole family. How it works: one person stands up and everyone looks at them. That person then leaves the room and changes something about themselves (example: a shirt gets tucked in). When they return, the group guesses what the person changed. Whoever guesses correctly gets the next turn. 
10. Card houses. Another easy, go-to classic that only requires a deck of cards. Add an extra layer of excitement by turning it into a competition.

We hope these boredom busters come in handy! Wishing all educators and kids a restful and fun week off! Counting the days till we can welcome you back.

Virtually yours,

Faryn

PMA Educator