Last year, I had an overwhelming response to my spring break article. It seems that I wasn’t the only one struggling to make spring break fun for the kids without leaving the San Antonio city limits, performing like a dancing clown, or breaking the bank.

I think in this day and age, parents just need “permission” to let kids be kids, entertain themselves, and enjoy unstructured time at home. For those of you, jetting off for a fun week in the snow for spring break, take a double black run for me! But for those of you lying low, never fear … cuz the real fun is right here!

I’m taking it upon myself to remind parents what spring break is really all about. It’s about taking a break from routine and school work. It’s a week to revive the spirits and prepare for the last two-month push of the school year.

It’s a week for kids to decompress, run amok, skip a bath, sleep late, and yes, even watch some cartoons, play video games, ride bikes, skate board, and orchestrate a pecan war in the backyard. What’s more fun than just hanging out? Free time is golden, no matter what your age. So don’t be afraid to plan a few days with absolutely nothing on the calendar.

Eventually, you will hear the words, “I’m bored.” It’s inevitable. After all, kids are used to having every spare second of their day planned. So before you suggest cleaning their room or sweeping out the garage, here are some suggestions for making time at home fun.

Board games are always a hit – Monopoly, Yahtzee and Clue are some of my kids’ favorite games. You’ll be surprised at how much fun it is to teach your kids a game that you played as a child. And how about those Christmas gifts that are still stacked up in the closet? The ones that required “parental supervision” like chemistry sets, Easy-bake Ovens, and solar-powered model cars – you didn’t have time to help over the busy Christmas holiday, but now … no excuses. This is a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your children, without the distraction of homework and extracurricular activities that typically dominates their lives.

Then, there are the fun kid activities you’ve been putting off. You know the ones … the slumber party, the costly trip to Dave and Buster’s or Game Works, an afternoon at Kiddie Park or the Rollercade. Bite the bullet and go for it!

There are also fabulous day trip destinations within an hour of San Antonio: Visit the state capital in Austin and see the University of Texas campus; shop in downtown Fredericksburg and visit the Nimitz museum, or float the river in New Braunfels and have lunch in the quaint town of Gruene. And if you really want to “get away” without leaving San Antonio, book a room on the River Walk and pretend to be a tourist. I guarantee you will experience San Antonio in a whole new way.

So, this year, whatever your plans or lack there of, let spring break be a vacation from the structure and routine. Make your motto: Relax and have fun!