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Spring Break is coming up, and it will be the longest break that you'll have before summer comes, so make the most out of it! Don't just sit around watching t.v., or, if you're a student, go to some island and party 'til you drop. Here are a few ways you can make this Spring Break both meaningful and fun.

1. Take a road trip.
You might say gas prices are too high for this kind of adventure, but plane tickets might just end up costing the same. Taking a road trip doesn't mean having to drive a thousand miles to get to somewhere fun; look on your state map and pick a place that interests you. For instance, if you live in Illinois and you haven't been to Yellowstone, why not go there? Maybe you want to see some Mounties? Go up to Canada for the weekend. A road trip can be entertaining for the kids, too. If you have kids and they're fidgety when it comes to being on the road, suggest some games that will involve the scenery around you. Let them have their own disposable cameras so they can keep personal memories.

2. Volunteer.
If you're student, then this is the right path to take for Spring Break. It'll be more rewarding than spending all that money (and time) to go partying. Volunteering for your community, whether it's cleaning up the environment or participating in a human rights activist club, will give you experience handling with real-life situations. Plus, with all the people you'll meet, you'll develop a sense of community with the world around you.

3. Get your rakes and hoes.
The title seems a bit off, but seriously, get your spring garden ready. The benefits of a personal garden, whether it's a vegetable or flower garden, outweigh all the work that you have to put into it. My family has always had both; we never ran out of fresh, organic tomatoes, eggplant, and squash. We always had bouquets of daffodils and gladiolas around the house to remind us how beautiful it is outside. Depending on the vegetables and flowers that you pick, they'll usually last until autumn rolls around.

4. Visit family or arrange get-togethers.
You might not have seen your sister or brother since last year's get-together. If this is the case, the it's time to arrange family get-togethers while everyone has the time. No, I'm not just talking about Easter dinner. Have them stay longer before the actual dinner; this will give you time to bond more, ask about "how life has been," and just be a family. After all, the holidays come around only once a year, and we should treat each other like it's the holiday season all year.

5. Create an Easter treasure hunt.
Kids love treasure hunts; that's why finding the Easter eggs is so satisfying for them. Sadly, it only lasts for a couple of hours at most. Make it last longer by stretching the "egg hunt" all week. You can hide clues all throughout the week as to where the eggs might be. You can hide other things as well, and trip them up by hiding something that looks like a painted egg. This will keep the fun going throughout the whole week, and culminate in the actual egg hunt on Easter Sunday.

6. Get more sleep; read more.
After you've done the things above, it's time to get some actual rest. Relax by picking up a book; many Americans haven't even finished one book in the past year! That doesn't mean that we're dumb. Most of the time, we just don't have the time. Well, now is the right time to start. Spring Break should be a time both for fun and relaxation.

These tips are the right places to start thinking about other things you can do during Spring Break. Remember, it doesn't have to be all about partying - Spring Break gives you the chance to wake up your body and your mind.

Learn more about this author, Joan Inong.
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