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Patch Picks: Keep the Children Busy During Spring Break

Activities and projects offer options for families during vacation.

Thirty-two short days ago, parents eagerly sent their children back to school after weathering midwinter break. Now, unless you’re headed south, 10 days of spring break are looming. Are you armed with an itinerary to ward off the I’m borrrred whines commonly heard from children?

If not, Patch has researched some strategies to help you maintain peace within your family.

Activities for the home front

Traditional play date

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Heidi Bishop, mother of three boys, said she looks forward to spring break. 

Bishop’s husband, Tom, co-owns in Berkley, and since spring is the beginning of the store’s busy season, the family is unable to schedule vacations together during break. Instead, she kicks off summer activities at home.

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“My kids just want friends over,” said Bishop, whose boys are Trey, 10, Cooper, 8, and Case, 4. “They don’t care what we do as long as they have buddies.”

Bishop organizes games such as Ghost in the Graveyard. Her new favorite game is Sardines. Yes, just like the stinky fish.

Sardines is a reverse Hide-and-Seek. One child hides while the others count. The children separate, searching for the hidden child. One by one, as the other children find the hidden child, they cram into the hiding spot, too. The last child to find the hiding spot is "it."

Crafts and projects

Barbara Munro, owner of in Berkley, promises the store will be full of creative ideas to help you turn off the TV and activate your children's minds.

Munro said the shop's large array of beads and jewelry supplies is a customer favorite. Supplies for clay figurines, tye-dye kits, papier-mâché, fabric boxes and fabric paints also are available. 

Plant a garden

Who says you have to wait until Memorial Day to begin your garden? in Berkley has flats ideal for starting seeds such as lettuce, okra, broccoli or cabbage indoors. Start them during break, and by the beginning of May when the frost warnings are at bay, your plants will be ready to transplant outdoors.

Activities around town

Go wild! Go birding!

The Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills has a new indoor exhibit. Go Wild! Go Birding! showcases various specimens of birds. Activities include lessons on bird and beak adaptations and binocular use, as well as crafts. A live raptor show is scheduled from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Instructors will guide a bird walk at 2 p.m. Thursday. The exhibit is open from 1-4 p.m. Monday-April 8.

Nature walks

Put your newfound knowledge to work on a nature walk, plus get some exercise. 

The Madison Heights Nature Center at Friendship Park has Wildflower Walks at noon and 2 p.m. every Friday. The center has a small museum, run by volunteers, that houses various reptiles and amphibians. There is no admission charge. Hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; noon-8 p.m. Wednesday; and noon-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Foot traffic only is allowed.

Paint Creek Trail

The Paint Creek Trail, whose 8.9 miles begin in Rochester and stretch to Lake Orion, is open for walking, running and biking. The Paint Creek Cider Mill is open for a fun stop for refueling. The trail also takes you through the Goodison business district, where you can pop into .

Detroit Science Center

The Detroit Science Center has extended its exhibit of Dinosaurs Unearthed. The exhibit includes large roaring dinosaurs, a geocaching contest and an IMAX dinosaur movie. Spring break day camps are also offered.

Parents need a break, too

Parents: Don’t feel guilty about needing a day off from being the activity planner. Your local recreational centers are offering activities to give you a break.

Huntington Woods Recreation Center

Although its spring break day camps are full, the gym will be open for drop-in basketball for residents and their guests. Children must be in fourth grade or older. Times are 12:30-8:30 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 12:30-5 p.m. Wednesday; 12:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday; and 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday. 

Berkley Parks & Recreation

Recreation programming leader Scott Jennex said there are still a few spaces open for Berkley spring break day camps. Daily field trips will leave from the , where children will get the chance to play organized sports and games before and after their adventures. Activities will include swimming, bowling, roller skating, a magician, hands-on science experiments and more. For more information, call Berkley Parks & Recreation at 248-658-3470.

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