March Break on a Budget

 
March Break is coming up, and students can’t wait for their week off of school. However, keeping your kids occupied over March Break can get expensive. Camps, ski passes and vacations don’t come cheap! The good news is there are plenty of fun activities for children and teens alike to take part in over the annual break that won’t break the bank. Here are five ways to get the most out of March Break on a budget:
 
Black Creek Pioneer Village
 
Want to spend a day outdoors with your children? From March 13-19, Pioneer Village  is hosting a week of maple syrup mystery-themed activities for kids, featuring a scavenger hunt, detective workshops and a maple syrup show, along with the chance to try all the different syrup samples. Entry for kids is free with the purchase of adult admission!
 
University tours
 
It’s never too early for high-schoolers to start thinking about their post-secondary education, so why not spend March Break checking out all the options out there? Almost every university in Ontario hosts an open house over the break where prospective students are invited to attend information sessions, participate in fun and educational workshops and get a tour of the campus. Best of all? Not only is registration to these events free, you are always guaranteed to leave with a swag bag full of goodies!
 
Hit the books
 
No, we aren’t suggesting that kid are actually going to do work over the break. However, many public libraries in the GTA are hosting daily activities for kids of all ages throughout the week, ranging from magic shows to arts and crafts to sing-alongs and exotic animal presentations. These events are typically free, so make sure to sign up early!
 
Set up camp… in your living room
 
Grab your tent and some sleeping bags and get ready for a camp out… er, a camp in. With cold temperatures in the forecast, sleeping outside is probably not the best idea. But that shouldn’t stop your kids from inviting some friends over for an evening of s’mores, games and of course, sharing scary ghost stories late into the night – all in the warmth and safety of your house.
 
Get Artsy
 
This March Break, the Elman W. Campbell Museum in Newmarket has a whole slate of art activities planned for kids ages 5-10. Costs range from free to $5.50 per person and registration is required for specific dates. While at the museum, remember to take a walk around with your kids to check out all of the neat exhibits on display.