25 Things to Do on Spring Break to Keep You (and Your Crew) Entertained for Days
Turns out, you actually don’t have to be hungover 24/7!
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As we’ve all learned from the cinematic masterpiece that is Spring Breakers, spring break is historically thought of as a week-long bender spent with old and new friends decked out in the skimpiest of bikinis. Traditionalists will book their flights to Florida and Mexico months in advance, packing way too many girls into one Airbnb and dozens of crop tops into one carry-on suitcase. But I’m just going to cut to the chase here—spring break has looked a little different the past few years. Even when we *think* the pandemic is over, there always seems to be a new variant poppin' in to say what's up, so there’s no telling if international travel (or any travel, TBH) is the safest move. If the thought of packing onto a dancefloor full of fellow college kids kinda skeeves you out right now, don't worry. That doesn’t mean you’ll have to spend the week in bed (even though that sounds pretty WiLd to me). There are plenty of ways to have a hella fun time that don't involve getting drunk on a beach somewhere. After all, if the Spring Breakers can make magic happen in a tough sitch, so. can. you.
From practical pastimes like finally learning to cook or taking up a new skill on Masterclass to scenic road trips and museum hopping, we've got tons of ideas that’ll keep both ragers and resters happily occupied. Plus, if a week-long sleepover with your gang is simply a must-have, there are ways to keep things fun and fresh while never leaving your living room (paint and sip anyone?). Now, go off and do all of the wild memory making. Bon spring break!
Spring break, meet spring cleaning. Here’s the plan: Start off the week with a good old closet cleanout, then spend way too many hours on Pinterest visualizing your new look. If you decide to sell the clothes in your “no” pile, you can earn a little bit toward refreshing your closet with some new pieces.
Is it bingeing, or is it education? Making your way through television history may lead to several hours spent in front of a screen, but you’ll be so cultured that it won’t even matter! You can use an official curated list like Rotten Tomatoes’ Ultimate Binge Guide, this TV bible you see here, or just head straight to your Netflix queue.
If you and your crew are staying in town, swap your nightly takeout and chill with a super cute paint-and-sip situation. It’s super simple: just gather some canvases, paint, and your drink of choice (aesthetically served in a wine glass, obviously). Then, pick a living room and let the creativity (and drinks) flow. And, by the end of break, you’ll basically have a collection of *custom* apartment décor.
No matter where you’re spending your time off, one thing’s for certain: You’re gonna need to eat. In the spirit of making mealtime its own adventure, why not play food blogger and document all of your eats? Whether you stick to just food porn pics or go all the way with ratings and recs (we recommend using the Beli App!), you’ll be left with a delicious time capsule of your spring break...and maybe a new career??
In the age of TikTok, crafting no longer includes googly eyes and pipe cleaners (RIP though). From rug-making to crocheting to upcycling your thrift finds, you’ll lose yourself in the crafting corner for the entire week if you aren’t careful.
Ok, I know you’re supposed to be taking time off from learning but, with all of your homework and studying, you probably haven’t learned a new skill just for the fun of it in a minute. Whether you decide to nail the art of top-tier floral arrangements (a very necessary skill) or become an expert in creativity and leadership (a very very necessary skill), exploring Masterclass will literally never be a waste of time.
If you’re heading to the beach (like every other college kid in America), turn your route into part of the trip. Make an amazing playlist, pile into one car with all your BFFs, take the scenic route, and plan to stop along the way to see some sites and sample a few diner menus. Just puh-lease get your oil checked before you hit the road, ok?
Seriously, when was the last time you spent a day at the park? Even at the start of the spring season, picnic days can be pretty idyllic. Put together a snack spread, grab your Polaroid camera and a blanket, and head on over. The beauty of this option is that it’s free, especially if you rifle through your parents’ pantry for picnic supplies.
If you’re lucky enough to go somewhere close to the ocean, I highly recommend you splurge on taking a dip with dolphins. Depending on where you are, it could put you out a couple of hundred bucks, but it’s worth it. Dolphins are some of the most intelligent mammals on this planet, and it’s way safer/less scary than jet skiing.
I’m here to defend Being! A! Total! Couch! Potato! If you wanna give your veg sesh a more ~intentional~ veneer, plan your lineup around a theme—and why not make it meta? There are a plethora of spring-break-themed movies that are actually quite decent. Spring Breakers, starring your faves Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Benson, is obviously a must.
Sure, college is kind of like one long nonstop sleepover, but when’s the last time you guys all stayed in, did face masks, made prank calls, and stayed up way too late? I can already taste the popcorn.
If you want to feel like a more cultured and sophisticated version of yourself, visit a museum. Often, the admission cost is a suggested donation, so you have the option to pay whatever amount you can. To mix up what you’re seeing, add an art museum, a natural history museum, and a science museum to your itinerary. Side note: Museums make for excellent date spots, FWIW.
Are you high-key into Paul Hollywood? How about baking? What about eating? Then you simply must organize a baking competition for you and your friends. Put the show on in the background, try not to totally eff up dessert, and when it’s all over, feast on your creations!
If zip-lining is on the menu at whatever gorgeous jungle location you’re visiting, you need to do it. Full stop. The views are gorgeous, and the adrenaline rush is super fun. By the way, there are often zip-lining opportunities at camps and team-building sites across the country, so you might not even have to buy a plane ticket to tap into your daring side.
If you’ve been thinking long and hard about getting a new piercing, take the plunge over break. Why not? (But don’t get it twisted—I’m not encouraging you to hit up a questionable piercing spot or anything like that.) Cartilage? Septum? Belly button? The options are endless.
In the wise words of Elle Woods, "Exercise gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy." Spring break is the perfect time to take a meandering hike outdoors, either someplace close to home or in whatever exotic locale you’re touring. Your Insta feed will thank you. Just don’t forget to pack water.
Spring break is alllll about treating yourself, but if you’re not working with a White Lotus budget, that’s okay. Stop by CVS and load up on face masks, hair masks, face peels, and more goodies. By the way, if you’re really strapped for $$$, you can always make a bath bomb yourself (yes, really).
Okay, maybe this is a “duh” idea, but I sure never drank alcohol in a civilized setting when I was in college! Just make sure to take an Uber there and wear sunscreen because you’re an adult now (Supergoop's Glow Stick is top-notch).
Learning a new beauty trick takes time, so a weeklong vacay is the perfect occasion to fine-tune your skills. Need some inspiration? Glad you asked. Check out our Braid Up video series. Looks for days.
Sure, it’s not as ~glam~ as some of the other ideas on this list, but it’ll make your heart feel good. There are a million organizations that could use your help, so find one that speaks to you (perhaps an animal shelter!?) and give back. Ask around and see if your school offers an “alternative spring break,” where you can spend the week off volunteering alongside your classmates.
Mikhaila Archer is an editorial assistant at Cosmopolitan, where she does a little bit of everything. She's into all things media and entertainment, and has previously held roles at Select on NBC News, Late Night with Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live. She's also a graduate student working towards an M.S. in Professional Writing at New York University, where she also earned her B.S. in Media, Culture and Communication.
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