Spring Break: Every parents dilemma – how to keep kids occupied without spending too much?

Students at Fort Sam Houston Elementary and Robert G. Cole Middle and High Schools will be springing out of school March 9-13, along with many other local students whose spring breaks are the same week.                          

Spring break began in United States in the 1930s with a week-long vacation period in early spring for schools and universities and is now observed in many other countries.

Spring break is commonly connected with spending time with family and friends, taking mini vacation trips, visiting the zoo, museums, skating, swimming, amusement parks, sporting, bowling and movie theaters.

All around, students are excited for their break away from school, not having to worry about what to wear, homework, studying for a test, or having to go to bed early and waking up early for school.

There is also a down side to spring break. Every year, the break causes parents the stress of having to figure out their work schedules, taking time off, searching for youth centers and scheduling child care.

Families not only have the stress of planning, financially it can be a burden. With schools being closed for the week, breakfast and lunches are not provided so parents have to buy more groceries.

Parents taking time off from work and entertaining their spring breakers can also become costly.

However, there are things to do that don’t cost a penny, to include: walking or biking trail, free admission day to a museum, volunteering at the food bank, seeing a movie in the park, or visiting historic sites, parks or fire departments.

Those looking for events and things to do during spring break at Joint Base San Antonio and in the City of San Antonio, several organizations, restaurants and community groups have put together many great events, deals and discounts for families to take advantage of.

Here are a few websites to visit while organizing your family’s Spring Break: www.jbsatoday.com; www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/; www.visitsanantonio.comwww.ourkidsmagazine.com/our-kids-eat-free/; www.sanantoniothingstodo.com/where-kids-eat-free-in-san-antonio/.

(Editor’s note:  The mention of non-federal organizations or websites is simply informational and not intended to imply endorsement by the U.S. Government, the DOD, or the U.S. Air Force.)