Staycation
Kids know exactly what to do for March Break
March 15, 2010
Andrea Gordon
FAMILY ISSUES REPORTER
Don't panic if there's no elaborate schedule of museums, wave pools and dinners out. Try not to fret that you aren't slathering sun cream on your kids under palm trees or at a ski resort. March Break is a week off school, and what kid is going to complain about that?
If you're a parent, it's hard not to get bogged down in the steady stream of hype about how to "survive" the holiday and the number of activities you should pack into a day. For a change, the Star decided to ask the kids how they like to spend March Break.
Their answers reveal that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Friends, family and just chilling out rank high on the list of priorities, whether they're in kindergarten or high school.
See what a few GTA students have to say:
Daniel Wilson, 14, Uxbridge
He will no doubt relish the chance to sleep in. He gets up at 5:30 a.m. to commute to his Oshawa school. In his waking hours, There will be no shortage of toys and games to try out with his friends and 8-year-old brother - Daniel is a toy tester for Toys R Us Canada. "I'll just hang out, maybe play with some board games, family activities - with my little brother and Mom and Dad, things we can do together."
Danika Ellis, 12, Toronto
She says the best part of the week will be "relaxing and sleeping in and not having to get up and go to school." She plays competitive hockey and has some games scheduled this week. "But I like not doing anything, too—just lying on the couch, watching TV."
Ethan Thomas, 6, Toronto
He can hardly stop talking about March Break camp at the local community centre. "It's not like school where you have to work really hard. explains the Grade 1 student. "We do lots of activities, lots of sports stuff that most kids would like." Just in case there's spare time, he has some other ideas, too. "Maybe the ROM or the Science Centre or the park." While he’s as keen as the teens to get a week off, there is one big difference. Will he sleep in? "No! Not at all!" he exclaims at the mere suggestion. At least not past 7 a.m. (sorry, Mom).
Evan Lawson, 5, Burlington
Hardly a March Break veteran (he's only in kindergarten, after all), Evan still doesn't lack for a sense of occasion. "We get to go on adventures," he says. "We're going to go out and look for bugs for my microscope and then we can put them on slides and make them bigger." That’s not all on the wish list. "I like to play in the park and throw rocks in the water. And we're going to go for a picnic." His mother is praying that it won't snow. But that's okay. Evan also has indoor plans. "I'll get to bake cookies with Mommy," he says. Chocolate chip of course—did you really have to ask?
Natalia Freedman, 14, Richmond Hill
She enjoys having things to do, but not necessarily on a schedule. "I like being able to relax and get away from most of the homework and have a chance to see friends that are usually busy on the weekends. Maybe we'll go for walks, go for lunch, go to the mall. I love to shop. We'll go bike riding, maybe."
Qays Sajad, 10, Toronto
"The best thing is there's no school." He is excited about being busy at camp during the day, followed by free time. "I'll also like playing with my PSP and going outside with my friends." His sisters Hubab, 5, and Izah, 8, remind him what else is in store: going to the park with their cousins and a trip to Chuck E. Cheese.
Stephanie Clervi, 12, Brampton
She might go snowboarding one day with her mom but she's most
looking forward to the chance to socialize. "You can get to spend time
with your family and extended family and you get to see people you don't
normally see. I'm hoping to see my cousins." Then there's also that
favourite pastime of tween girls – "you can have ongoing sleepovers."
Xanthe Flint, 13, Toronto
She and her friends like meeting in the neighbourhood playground when the weather's nice, walking around and catching up while they hang out on the swings. "I get to see my friends who don't go to my school. I like going to the movies, too. I really want to see Valentine's Day."
More:
Peruse our March break guide
Find family-friendly events around the city this week
Try these spring-themed crafts
Fun activities you can do at home
Toronto Star