You don’t have to travel far to have a fabulous time! Keep reading for some fresh ideas for your family's 2023 Spring Break Staycation!
1. Grand Reopening of the Cockrell Butterfly Center
Fluttering its way back to the public, The Cockrell Butterfly Center has announced its grand reopening just in time for Spring Break. They’ve been closed for some time doing renovations and are finally ready to spread their wings again! My family is super stoked, since the CBC is one of our favorite exhibits at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Drop by on March 10th or 11th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for an exciting evening with crafts, food trucks, and your own butterfly to release into the exhibit. *Please note that strollers are not allowed inside the Butterfly Center; however, stroller parking is available nearby.
Learn more here.
2. Seussical the Musical
Immerse yourself in the world of all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination – Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.
A fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza, Seussical will be sure to bring a smile to the faces of children of all ages! NYT presents this show March 10, 11, and 12 at Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball.
Learn more here.
3. Sleepover at Grandma’s
Family time makes the best memories for Spring Break! My kids used to love spending the night at my mom’s house during the summer, and since we have a big family, it was extra fun when their cousins came along. Call up Grandma or Grandpa to see if they’d be willing to host a sleepover for you and the kids. Invest in a portable ping-pong or air hockey table, or some lawn games, buy some snacks, and rent a couple of family movies for everyone to enjoy. For the sweets, we enjoy hot chocolate or popsicles (depends on how the weather’s acting).
4. Rock and Roll at the Rink
With Spring Break rolling around the corner, why not plan for some active fun? If your kids are into skating, you can easily spend an hour or two at one of our local rinks. My 9-year-old has her own pair of skates (ones that she strictly uses indoors) to bring whenever we go to the rink, which saves us money.
Conroe is home to Rainbow Roller Rink at 1695 N. Loop 336 East, and they’ll have 3 weekday skating sessions for Spring Break. Head in the opposite direction to hit up Champions Rollerworld in Spring, my favorite place to take the family. Both rinks have a variety of arcade games, concessions, and prizes.
Roller skating not your thing? The ice rink in Memorial City Mall is a bit of a drive but can be totally worth it, especially if you hang around for a mall crawl afterwards. Be sure to check their website for open hours, since the rink is not open to the public every day. Finally, roller skating outside under the stars at Discovery Green Park in Downtown Houston is back through March 17. You read that right... an OUTDOOR roller rink! That sounds like a whole barrel of fun!
5. Plant seedlings for a summer garden
Any outdoorsy people out there? Not me, LOL! But give me a naturally snack-yielding masterpiece, and I might just be sold. Starting an herb/fruit/vegetable garden is a fantastic way to get the family outside during Spring Break (and beyond) while learning a useful life skill.
We’ve done a few raised garden beds in the past (using both seeds and seedlings), and each of them have turned out fruitful and delicious! If you’ve never planted a garden from scratch, it’s a rewarding experience I’d definitely recommend. Start with tomatoes, marigolds, and herbs like mint and basil, all of which you can find at your favorite garden care store.
6. Book a hotel with a pool
Just because you’re on staycation doesn’t mean hotels are out of the question! We’ve got some lovely places to retreat in our area -- and many with heated swimming pools! The Woodlands has had a history of chilly Spring Breaks, but don’t let the cold stop you from enjoying swim time. Heated pools are good for both warm and cold weather. Stay in familiar territory with an overnight stay at The Woodlands Resort or Embassy Suites in Hughes Landing, or take a longer drive to Margaritaville on Lake Conroe.
Click here to see the Margaritaville review I wrote a while back.
7. Hike or Bike in The Woodlands
On board with the "be active" idea for Spring Break? I’m sure you’ve heard this from me before, but the George Mitchell Nature Preserve has beautiful nature trails. If you have busy bodies at home, taking a walk or bike ride along your favorite trail is an easy way to expend energy, soak up the sun, and get exercise. Bring a list of things to find for a scavenger hunt, trail mix, and bottles of water so you don’t get dehydrated.
Learn more about the Nature Preserve and its trailheads via this link.
8. Movie night with all the indulgences
A huge screen, booming speakers, arcade games… Go big for Spring Break with an ultimate trip to the theater. Order the kids whatever they want: popcorn! nachos! soda! candy! And let them live it up this once. We love the magical movie land of Regal in Benders Landing – with neon lights, high ceilings, VIP theaters, a coffee bar, and other nearby attractions.
9. Watch Camel and Ostrich races at Sam Houston Race Park
Thoroughbreds and Camels and Ostriches, Oh My! Don’t miss out on an exhibition race of camels and ostriches during the racing card at Sam Houston Race Park, located at 7575 N Sam Houston Parkway. It will be a fun time for the whole family with kid activities and food trucks. "Sunday Fundays" include pony rides and a petting zoo, every Sunday in March.
Learn more here.
10. Luminous at City Place
Have you checked out City Place yet? Looking for nighttime activities? Open to the public and free of charge, the Luminous installation “will weave vibrant elements of flora and fauna into the waterfront terrain of City Place Park, creating an enchanted garden with hand-crafted and eye-catching pieces that reflect a modern take on age-old lantern-making techniques.” Illuminated nightly at dusk, the display incorporates larger than life lotus flowers, butterflies, mushrooms, flamingos and more for a whimsical experience full of imagination and creativity.
Learn more here.
