Spring Break: Make Plans to Stay Home

by Kristina Schnack Kotlus PwcMoms.com It's Spring Break this week, and with gas prices creeping ever higher, there's never been a better time to plan a fun "Staycation" right here in the area.  With a little planning and a little driving, you can have a great time in your own backyard. Here's the game plan: Day 1: Break Time Let's be honest, you and your kids work hard! School, work, sports, scouts, religious activities, take your first day off.  Build a fort and rent a movie---we recommend HOP since it's got "The Bunny," and have popcorn for lunch.  Order dinner, skip on the chores for most of the day, and keep your pajamas on for as long as possible. Day 2: Freeze Frame Head over to the Haymarket Ice Plex or Prince William Ice Forum for open skating! Never been there before? No problem! Both rinks have rental skates, and the only other equipment you need is gloves, although helmets are recommended. Before you get on the ice, have your children fall down and get up several times, and once they're on the ice, tell them to pick their knees up and march like a soldier. After skating, keep your ice theme going by heading to Swirlies (10911 Nokesville Rd in Manassas, VA), The Frosty Moose (12581 Milstead Way Woodbridge, VA 22192), Milwaulkee Frozen Custard (multiple locations), or your favorite ice cream shop. When you get home, it's time for some science or crafts.  Younger kids will appreciate "painting" with shaving cream to make snow on blue construction paper. Encourage them to make a scene from the family skating! Dinner time sneak up on you? No problem- frozen dinners fit right in to today's plans. Wednesday: Enjoy the Outdoors Up and At Em! Head to Leesylvania State Park and take a self-guided hike.  Then, at 10:00 a.m., they're offering a program of Colonial Games for kids.  Be sure to bring your camera and snap some spring shots of the family. There's a pier that's half in Virginia and half in Maryland and makes a gorgeous photo opportunity.  After you're done at the park, you can head over to Lake Ridge where they're having their annual Fish Out.  Bring your own poles or rent cane poles for $1 at the site.  Fishing is $7 for everyone ages three and up. There's a two fish limit per individual and $4 for each fish over two.  The fish will apparently nibble at marshmallows, cheese, worms, or anything else you want to bring as bait.  Local groups are on hand to clean fish as a fundraiser---so take them home and plan a cookout in the backyard to end your outdoor day. Thursday: Field Trip! It wouldn't be spring break without at least one trip into the city! Today's the day to head out to DC. Metro will make your life a lot easier where parking is concerned, and you'll be able to pick your museum based on your children's interests.  Most museums also run children's programs during the week.  The National Museum of the American Indian, for example, will be running a Corn Husk Doll workshop for kids from 2-3:30pm.  If you've never been a tourist in your own city, consider a cherry blossom cruise or a trolley or bus tour of the city.  If you watch online deal sites, you can typically find one at a great price. Friday: Arts and Crafts After a big day in DC, take a day at home, but keep it fun! Invite one or two friends over and make a few simple spring crafts to keep the kids busy.  Pinterest is full of great spring-themed ideas, or just keep it simple with cupcakes or tie-dying shirts with permanent markers. In the evening, Wegmans and IKEA are both offering free kids' movie nights, and IKEA even has a kids eat free option to sweeten the deal. If you'd rather be inventive, stay in and have a family game night. Apples to Apples and any of the Cranium brand games are always popular at our house.