Spring break is a time often filled with excitement for the warmer weather and even vacations. For families who are grieving this time can prove to be difficult. We want to share some ideas of different activities to spend family time together and to find ways to include the memory of your loved one in your family fun.
Get Outside
This year, we are going to experience beautiful weather during our spring break. We want to encourage you to go outside and soak up some sunshine. Taking the chance to be in nature can help us to find moments of happiness in our grief.
There are a lot of activities you can do as a family:
- Planting flowers
- Take long walks
- Play a game of catch
- Go swimming in a pool, waterpark, or lake
- Play with outdoor water toys (water ballons, slip in slides, etc.)
- Visit a local park or playground
- Sit around a fire pit, eat s’mores, tell stories or jokes
Local Community Events
Many cities and agencies put on events and fairs during spring break. These events are a great way to create new memories and traditions with your family. They are often free or low cost depending on the activities. They can be a great way to eat new foods, experience new cultures, or find new hobbies. We want to encourage you to check your local area or an area you are interested in visiting for fun events.
Self-Care and Rest
This one might be the most important. We live in a fast-paced world and it’s easy to overload our schedules. We need to remember grief can be emotionally and physically exhausting. It’s okay, even encouraged, to take a few days to just stay around the house. These times can be a great way to connect with your family.
Activities you can do while at home as a family:
- Watch well-loved movies or shows
- Eat favorite snacks
- Play board or video games together
- Read books together
- Make favorite meals and have a picnic outside
- Listen to fun music and do silly dances
- Even camp out in your backyard for a night
Spring break can be a trigger for our grief, but it can also be an opportunity to reconnect. We do not need to take an elaborate vacation to enjoy spring break. Taking the time to build memories and relationships can allow us to find moments of happiness for us and those we love.
