The days are long, but the years are short in childhood. Making the most of school breaks gives families time to be together, try new seasonal activities, and learn life skills. What you choose to do doesn’t have to be over-the-top; children remember when they were happy and engaged, an attainable goal that won’t break the bank. This Spring Break, include some of these ideas on your bucket list. 

Host a picnic: Set up lunch at one of the City of Bakersfield’s newly renovated parks. Updates have been taking place throughout the fall and winter, so spring is the perfect time to see new play equipment and green spaces. Pack a basket of sandwiches or snacks and make a day of it. See which parks have been renovated at https://bit.ly/kernbetterparks or on social media.

Go for a walk: Get out and see nature in your own neighborhood. Look for birds, nests and eggs, new flower blossoms, and other signs of spring. Enjoy the physical activity and the time together. 

Visit a venue: Find out about local museum exhibitions, events, and more with our calendar at http://www.kerncountyfamily.com/. Check for discount admission dates. 

Teach life skills from cooking to car maintenance: What do children need to know before reaching adulthood? If you’re not sure your preteen knows how to fry an egg, make pasta, or preheat the oven, now is the perfect time to get into the kitchen together. Sweep the garage, pop the hood of the car, and go over the basics. It’s never too late to add to what children already have a vague idea of how to do, from writing a check to addressing an envelope. Be intentional about showing them how to go about errands, chores, and household tasks.  

Tackle spring cleaning: Get through the chores no one wants to do by involving the whole family. Trot out a ladder and dust blinds, wash windows, and dust light fixtures. Clean out closets and scrub the oven. Participating in chores gives children a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and belonging within a family, studies show. 

Stream a series or new movie: Family movies are fun. Host your own movie night at home with popcorn, candy, and a living room campout. It’s less expensive than the theater and many new options are coming to streaming services soon this spring.

Plant something: Flowers, herbs, or small vegetables can freshen your space. Children can enjoy watching the growing process, from sprout to stem and beyond, and they are likely to be the most eager volunteers when it comes to watering or even weeding. 

Visit your local library: Incredible resources are available at your Kern County branch library, including books, movies, test prep, job resources, and more. If you haven’t dropped in recently, see what’s new and add a reading hour to each day of your Spring Break.

Cloud watch: Lay back in the grass and dream. It feels great to disconnect and do what we normally just don’t take the time to add into our day.

Host a St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt: Hide coins and choose how elaborate you want to make your scavenger hunt, with maps, clues, or simply running around. 

Visit a local restaurant: Patio dining can be fun and COVID-safe. Support a locally-owned restaurant and have a meal with fresh ingredients. Ask for family specials, which can be surprisingly affordable.

Need more ideas? Find spring break fun on our website at www.kerncountyfamily.com.