Staycation or Vacation? Let Us Know Your Spring Break Plans and Win!
This Patch contest wants to know what you're doing next week.
Here's a fun car game for the whole family. The License Plate Game is $20.99 at Brilliant Sky.
Photos (10)
Photos
Will you stay or will you go? At Patch we're curious about your spring break plans.
(Who are we kidding? We're stuck here and want to live vicariously through you — or at least get some fresh ideas about what to do around town.)
What's more, we want to reward you for the information. Use the comment field below to let us know what you're doing for spring break, where you're going or, if you're staying, what you have planned for fun.
One lucky reader will receive a $25 gift certificate to the store that is ready to provide entertainment and fun, both on the road or at home, Brilliant Sky Toys and Books at The Village of Rochester Hills.
Making the car ride bearable at Brilliant Sky
Should your travels include a car journey or a plane ride, Brilliant Sky has travel-friendly activities for the kids. (Because, after all, there are only so many Disney movies your kids can watch.)
Let's start with some fun car activities by Melissa and Doug. Whether it's a Memory Game for the younger ones, Hangman for the older ones or a License Plate game for the whole family, these wooden games are great for travel. Better yet, all the pieces are attached, so you don't have to worry about losing parts under the seats. The Memory Game and Hangman are $13.99 each. The License Plate game and BINGO are $20.99 each.
Brilliant Sky also has magnetic dominoes and backgammon sets for $10.99 each and Landmark cards for $8.99. And for your packing needs, don't forget the adorable Trunki suitcase.
Turning your yard into an amusement park
Staying home? Perhaps you can't quite recreate Harry Potter's Wizarding World at Universal Islands of Adventure, but Brilliant Sky offers enough outside toys to give your kids a ton of fresh-air fun (and perhaps even secure an early bedtime).
Bounce out that energy with a pogo stick (prices range from $48.99 to $249.99) or the HopBall 45 ($30.99). Jump and hone coordination skills with The Skipper ($5.99).
Spur the imagination of your future NASA engineer with the Blast Pad Missle Launch ($30.99). Or divide the neighborhood kids into two teams and send them on a Snip Hunt ($25.99). Winners and losers get popsicles!
And, keep in mind, because moms need to have fun, too, the PlasmaCar holds up to 22o pounds on a smooth surface and goes up to a rip-roaring 6 mph. It's available in a slew of stylish colors for $72.99.
If the weather doesn't cooperate
Because it's Michigan in early April, an indoor back-up plan is always a good idea. Brilliant Sky offers a wide selection of games, puzzles and craft activities, like the Flower Power Mosaic craft kit for $17.99.
The contest
Here's how it will work:
- Post a comment here telling us your spring break plans. You can be as general or specific as you want.
- Please, only one entry per person.
- All comments must be posted by midnight Thursday, March 31, to be counted for the contest.
- One winner will be selected in a random drawing April 1. That winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Brilliant Sky Toys and Books.
The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 and older. You can read the official Patch contest rules here.
Good luck!
If you are traveling, I wish you safe journey. If you're staying home, I wish for you that the outdoor temperature breaks 50 degrees!
What are you doing for spring break?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
-
Brilliant Sky Toys & Books
322 N Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, MI -
-
-
-
The Village of Rochester Hills
104 N Adams Rd, Rochester Hills, MI
Ann Ehlert
7:14 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
We are traveling to Tennesee and Virginia to see two families who had to leave Michigan to find jobs. We are hoping to bring a little Michigan to them with a six pack of Vernors!
Ann Ehlert
angela oliver
7:25 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The kids (3 &4) and I are headed down to florida for a week of sun, fun and the ocean! We have already been to brilliant sky for stuff to do on the plane! We got the memory/old maid/go fish card pack, silly putty and a few of their preschool learning books to work on letters and numbers and such. We love brilliant sky!
Susan M.
7:29 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hmmm....full name....on the internet....telling everyone with access you'll be out of town? This really isn't a wise idea. Is there someway Patch can mask names for this comment section?
Kristin Bull
7:57 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hi, Susan: We can't mask names, but users can, individually. If you click on your name, under "profile" click "edit name" and you can change it. I get what you're saying; if you feel more comfortable, you can enter the contest by e-mailing the author directly. She will include those entries in the random drawing, too!
Susan M.
8:01 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thanks Kristin! This "paper" has the small-town feel, but unfortunately people do have to take precautions to protect themselves and their property. Also, the teen's article on student plans over spring break? That is leaving some families vulnerable as well. Maybe edit to just have the initial from the last name?
By the way - Patch has become my first "go-to" for information! I LOOVE the way we get updates to stories too! Keep up the great work!
Susan M.
8:03 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Folks - I just tried it (very simple!) and it updated my previous posts as well! I would recommend people make those changes!
Jennifer
7:33 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Our 5 year old asked to visit the ocean last November.
I booked a state campground 3 bedroom cabin with all amenities of a condo (GREAT DEAL!)
We are visiting family on our way to coastal South Carolina and leave Friday on our road trip!
pam zdrojewski
7:36 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Recently, my husband and I took our three kids downtown to the Detroit Historical Museum, lunch at Hard Rock Cafe, a visit to Campus Martius Park and a tour on the People Mover. It was such a fun outing we have planned a few more adventures over spring break including a trip to The Detroit Science Center and The Henry Ford! I'm really looking forward to our staycation in the Metro Detroit area - so much to see, do and enjoy, right in our own backyard!
Kristin Bull
8:01 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hi, Pam ... Can I ask the age range of your kids? Just wondering about the Detroit Historical Museum and what there is to do there for kids of various ages.
Michelle M.
8:08 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
We are staying home.... Well, actually the KIDS are staying home or at daycare while my husband and I work :(
We only do one getaway a year -- in the summer when its easier to take off work, and when it's warm!
Michelle Sullivan
8:12 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
We will be hanging out around town and having playdates. I am really hoping we can at least do a zoo day.
pam zdrojewski
8:12 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hi Kristin ~
I have an eight year old daughter and 3 1/2 year old boy girl twins - all three loved it! Another plus, it was VERY affordable. Kids under four are free - I think we paid $16 for the entire family. We went there on a whim because there was an hour long wait to get into the Science Center (i think because of the dinosaur exhibit) but it was a really fun - I honestly think kids of all ages would enjoy this little Detroit jewel!
Pam :)
D. M.
8:22 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hi,
Taking off for a Senior Trip...a cruise of Central America!
Vita
8:54 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Going to North Carolina's Outer Banks. 15 hour car drive with a 4 and 6 year old. Wish me luck!!!
Kristin Bull
11:46 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Good luck!
Kathleen Clark
9:04 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
We are headed to the sandy beach of Sanibel Island. My kids are excited to search for seashells!! Wish us luck traveling with 2 kids under 4 and a teen.
Jen
9:04 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Both of our cars are broke down right now (hubby is borrowing his parent's car)...so the kids and I are stuck at home. We homeschool so we'll probably just push through the week so we can get done sooner in May (when the weather is REALLY nice, LOL). Sure would be nice if the temps warmed up so they can at least let off some steam outside for gym time though! :o)
Laura Cassar
9:00 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Hi Jen, Please contact me by clicking on the "email the author" link at the top of the page above the headline. Thanks!
Laura
Heather
9:09 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Staying home and unpacking - we moved a month and a half ago and the basement and garage are still full of boxes. BUT we will probably hit up the Zoo and Grandmas house a time or two :-) Although I think unpacking will be a little like Christmas for the kids - they have forgotten about alot of their things :-)
Jaime
9:10 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Well, we shall be taking a Stay-vacation :) We are thinking on Exploring Grand Rapids a bit more. Altho the kids want to stay days on end at their Grandmas, which will work too :) so we shall see, i also hope to get in a visit to the Zoo or the Museum tho
Hilary K.
9:34 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Looking forward to going to visit the in-laws in New Jersey. My and husband and I are usually able to go into New York City and see a Broadway play which is usually the highlight of the trip:)
Joshua Raymond
10:21 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
My kids have a full week planned.
Monday: Sleep late. Play with toys.
Tuesday: Plan to watch TV all day. Denied by mom. Become bored. Resist all suggestions for fun activities.
Wednesday: "Mom, I'm bored."
Thursday: "Mommmmmmmmmm, I'm borrrrrrrrrred! Bored, bored, bored, bored, bored, bored!"
Friday: "What? School on Monday? Oh, man! Vacation is too short!"
(Amazing how kids can be bored if there is the shortest amount of time without some form of constant activity.)
Meanwhile, I'll be working looking forward to my next day off on Memorial Day.
Susan M.
10:27 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
LOL!!! Isn't that the truth! You probably described the activities in many homes next week!
Laura Cassar
10:14 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Funny stuff, Joshua, but too true! When I was telling my 7-year-old our Spring Break plans he asked, "Can't we just have a couple of days of doing nothing!" We'll try it, but I'll have some backup plans in case the "I'm bored" whine begins.
Jill
10:38 am on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
We plan on having out. The kids will be playing with their cousins, having a sleepover, etc. I also plan on taking them to Jeepers at Great Lakes Crossing and getting tired out one day :)
crystal
2:17 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Kidney stone removal surgery! Don't know how to categorize that....LOL!
Laura Cassar
10:11 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Is that category an "opercation"? Good luck and be well!
Rochester Mom
7:08 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
A nice mixture of "to do" lists - dentist appointments, hopefully painting a bedroom, practicing their instruments, deep cleaning bedroom closets in anticipation of breaking out shorts and capris..with Staycation for a few days - maybe Detroit Science Center (I have a GROUPON about to expire from there), a movie, lunch at CHOMP, getting together with friends and a mini vacation up North for a few days (hoping the weather is decent!).
Laura Cassar
10:11 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
I'm hoping for some decent up north weather too! Just a different set of four walls will be a nice change!!
Rob Ray
12:04 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
With our little girl due Aug. 13th (our first), the Wife and I are getting what will probably our last real vacation for quite some time -- heading to Puerto Rico! There are some amazing deals especially during April -- can't wait!
Kristin Bull
11:48 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sounds luxurious, Rob. And congrats on the baby girl!
Laura Cassar
7:24 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Contest is closed. Stay tuned for the lucky winner!