Save money with these last-minute March break staycation ideas

For this week’s top story, we’re looking at how to plan for a cheap and cheerful last-minute March Break with the fam.

If you’ve scoured all the last-minute flight sites and you still don’t know what to do for the March Break, don’t panic. Here are four ways to make the most of your school break, from parents who have been there, done that, and are doing it again—plus some advice if you want to still get out of Canada.

1. Head to a (nearby) hotel

Often for young kids, a night away is a night away—it doesn’t matter if you’re one kilometre from home or 1,000.

“I’ve spent hours planning and thousands of dollars on vacations, and all my kids want to do is play in the pool,” says Shanna Hanas of Halton Hills, who has two boys, aged six and seven. “So, I decided on no more headaches. Our best memories of family vacations are a one-night stay at a hotel not far from home. We spend hours at the pool, order takeout, and enjoy the breakfast buffet before another swim, then checkout. The kids love sleeping in a hotel—they say it’s like a sleepover with Mom and Dad.”

She recommends booking a hotel that’s focused on business travellers, as you’re more likely to have the pool to yourselves on a weekend stay. And some hotels even offer March Break deals. For example, the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto is running a week of free activities and entertainment, with rates starting around  $195/night for two beds. And The Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax has March Break packages for $309/night that include a pizza party and a family pass to the Discovery Centre. (Prices accurate at press time.)

2. Be a tourist in your own town

Travelling across Canada can get expensive and trips to the U.S. are a hard no for a lot of Canadians right now. WestJet plans to cancel some Canada–U.S. routes this summer from lack of ticket sales. But a nearby Canadian city with a few touristy sites could be enough to entertain the fam. Not only that, but even daily city life, like taking public transit, can be exciting for little ones untainted by commutes.

“Toronto is kind of touristy for us now that we moved out of the city,” says Karin Ronde of Burlington, whose son is seven years old. “When we go into the city, the train is a novelty, so we always take the GO train. It’s also cheaper than driving and paying for parking. During March Break, I’d try the aquarium or museum because it’s indoors, but if there’s warmer weather, you could get some lunch and go to a park.”

Walking tours and hop-on/hop-off bus tours like Montreal’s Red Loop, Vancouver’s Trolley Tour and City Sightseeing Toronto are also affordable and a great way to learn more about your home. 

Peter Tomlinson of Toronto says he’s done that with his kids, who are teens now, and visiting family members. “It’s a great way for all of us to get out and see what an amazing city we live in,” he says. “For the amount of time you’re on the bus, it’s not too expensive.”

3. Plan a neighbourhood event

Your neighbours are likely also looking for ways to entertain their kids over the break, too, so why not plan something together? 

Kassandra Barteaux of Clearview had the idea to host a shinny day for her two boys, aged four and seven, and other neighbourhood kids. “We don’t have any major plans for March Break, so I started thinking about fun things we could do in the area,” she says. “We’ve tried the free shinny in the local arenas and had fun, but we found that the age ranges can mean a huge difference in skill level, which is challenging for the younger kids. I thought a shinny with friends would be fun, and that way we’d know everyone.”

The rink rental was $150 for the hour. “About the same cost as three bags of groceries,” says Barteaux. She made invites for free using the online design tool Canva.

Afterward, everyone’s gathering in her backyard for chili, potluck snacks and a bonfire.

4. Check for local freebies

“I like to keep updated on community offerings,” says Hanas. “The local recreation centres and libraries run special programs during March Break and are an easy and inexpensive, if not free, option.” (Check out these free trials for videos, reading and more.)

Even your local mall or chain stores could have special events over March Break. Indigo is hosting “Spring Play Days, with activities like origami and T-shirt decorating. Home Depot offers kids’ workshops year-round (one March Break activity is building a leprechaun trap).

Hanas says she’s entertained her kids at shopping centres that have featured reptile shows and character meet-ups—it’s an easy family outing “with all the convenience of a mall, like ample parking and food options.”

Another free option: A real-life treasure hunt. “Geocaching was a big hit with the kids when they were young,” says Jennifer Delarosbil of Tamworth. It’s when you use your phone’s GPS and your own smarts to find small, hidden containers placed by other participants. “It works whether you’re urban or rural and is a great way to get active.”

Tips for booking last-minute travel deals

If you’re still dreaming of a sunny getaway, sites like Redtag.ca and SellOffVacations.com can be good places to check for heavily discounted March Break deals. But keep in mind the lowest advertised fares are typically for mid-week before or after March Break, which may not work with your kids’ school schedule. And weekend departures could be entirely sold out.

It’s best to be flexible with your destination choice and book ASAP—waiting for a better last-minute price is risky since flights may be fully booked and prices are more likely to increase as seats fill up. While I was browsing Toronto–Montego Bay deals on Redtag, the first package I chose was suddenly unavailable when I tried to check out, and my next choice increased by over $1,000 when I got to the booking page. Kinda feels like Uber’s surge pricing, no?

Of course, always read the terms and conditions, especially when booking through a third-party site. There may be additional fees beyond the airlines for changes or cancellations, or they may not offer refunds at all.

Make your March break memorable

A little creativity and a lot of enthusiasm can make your March break great, even when you’re staying close to home. 

After all, the best family memories don’t necessarily need a price tag.