Fun Activities To Do Over Spring Break
MOVES IN BLOOM
This activity is inspired by flowers in BLOOM. The objective of this game is to help students build confidence and creative expression, while counting the music and following directions.
BASIC GAME PLAY:
- All dancers start on the ground in a squared position, ideally in a shape that resembles a seed. For 8 counts, the dancers will “bloom” as they move from floor to standing while you count to 8.
(They will understanding practice an 8 count. 8 is the magic number of dance. 8 is great, and great is 8!) - Afterward, pause their blooming. Then, begin counting to 8 again, and tell them to “melt” back into their starting position, as if they’ve become a “wilted” flower.
HOW TO MAKE IT EXTRA:
- Allow the dancers to practice this several times, then add layers of complexity such as:
- Take 8 counts to bloom, then 8 to wilt down just to mid level before being infused with sunlight and blooming to the highest level again.
- Take 8 counts to bloom just to the mid level, before drying up from lack of rain and wilting back down to the low level for 8 counts.
- Take 8 counts to bloom, but instead of pausing in stillness on the high level, the dancers are blown from side to side by a gust of wind!
- Take 8 counts work their creativity to root down to the earth, they could even begin as a fully blossomed flower.
- Grow and wilt just as a stem, without using your arms because your flowers did not bloom.
BUILD A OBSTACLE COURSE
The whole point is to get the kids engaged and to wear them out, so involve them in as much building of the course as possible, with you supervising for safety. Even the littlest competitors can get involved in the building stage by stacking pillows, lining up baskets, or sorting balls. Involving the kids in constructing the course gives them a sense of accomplishment and builds a storyline in their head—adding an element of imaginative play to the activity.
SAFETY FIRST: Keep safety as the top priority. To do this, make good use of cushions, yoga mats, and blankets as much as you can. And be sure to move sharp corners and breakable items out of the way.
Ideas for your obstacle course:
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- Balance Beam. A basic 2 x 4 on the floor makes for a perfect balance beam, as does a rolled up area rug. But if you’re short on space, even just a strip of painter’s tape can give kids the challenge of maintaining their balance, or a simple piece of string.
- Tunnels. Tunnels are a major stop on any respectable obstacle course. If you don’t have a kids’ tunnel, fear not! They can easily be made by lining up a row of chairs for your child to crawl through.
- Sack Races. If your kids are bouncing off the walls, give them a pillow case or a sleeping bag and hop across a room or down a hallway.
- The Floor is Hot Lava! Line up cushions, yoga blocks, or even pieces of construction paper and have kids hop from one to the next—avoiding the “lava” AKA floor. Adding a storyline to obstacle courses increases the fun.
There are many ways to make an obstacle course, and your tiny humans probably are full of creative ideas to add to the magic!
HAVE A FAMILY DANCE PARTY
This one is super duper simple! All it takes is music & and your family. You can keep it simple or add extra razzle dazzle.
HOW TO MAKE IT EXTRA:
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- ADD A THEME. The easiest way to add razzle dazzle is simply making it a themed affair!
- PLAYLIST. No matter what music is must, but you can create one special for family dance parties. This is where how to make your theme really stand out. For a tried and true list, try adding each family member’s favorites songs to the list, adding a bit joy for everyone.
- DECORATIONS. While this isn’t a necessity, it does make for more of a fun experience. On top of it adding to the ambiance this is a perfect opportunity to get crafty with your kids.
- SNACKS. If you add a theme to your family dance parties you can work together to make themed snacks for your mini party, together!
We hope you enjoy these ideas and will give them a try!
