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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!

By Samantha Grindell, Mikhaila Archer and Hannah Chubb
things to do on spring break
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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!

1
ThredUp Clean-Out Kit

Reset Your Wardrobe

Reset Your Wardrobe
1
ThredUp Clean-Out Kit

Reset Your Wardrobe

$10 at thredup.com
Credit: ThredUp

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.

2
TV (The Book) by Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz

Become a TV Connoisseur

Become a TV Connoisseur
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TV (The Book) by Alan Sepinwall and Matt Zoller Seitz

Become a TV Connoisseur

Now 18% Off
Credit: Amazon

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.

3
Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set, 20 Pieces

Plan a Paint and Sip

Plan a Paint and Sip
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Soucolor Acrylic Paint Brushes Set, 20 Pieces

Plan a Paint and Sip

Credit: Amazon

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.

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4
Beli App

Document Your City’s Best Eats

Document Your City’s Best Eats
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Beli App

Document Your City’s Best Eats

Credit: Beli

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??

5
We Are Knitters Morse Scarf Kit

Take a Very Niche Crafting Class

Take a Very Niche Crafting Class
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We Are Knitters Morse Scarf Kit

Take a Very Niche Crafting Class

Credit: We Are Knitters

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.

6
Elaine Welteroth Masterclass

Take a Masterclass

Take a Masterclass
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Elaine Welteroth Masterclass

Take a Masterclass

Credit: Masterclass

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.

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7
Calpak Car Organizer

Take a Road Trip

Take a Road Trip
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Calpak Car Organizer

Take a Road Trip

Credit: Calpak

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?

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Food52 Blue & White Stripe Picnic Basket

Explore Your Local Park

Explore Your Local Park
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Food52 Blue & White Stripe Picnic Basket

Explore Your Local Park

Credit: Food52

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.

9
Polaroid Underwater Camera

Swim With Dolphins

Swim With Dolphins
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Polaroid Underwater Camera

Swim With Dolphins

Now 23% Off
Credit: Amazon

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.

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10
West Elm Brushed Herringbone Throw

Host a Spring Break Movie Marathon

Host a Spring Break Movie Marathon
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West Elm Brushed Herringbone Throw

Host a Spring Break Movie Marathon

Now 26% Off
Credit: West Elm

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.

11
Peach & Lily Original Glow Sheet Mask

Have an Old-Fashioned Slumber Party

Have an Old-Fashioned Slumber Party
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Peach & Lily Original Glow Sheet Mask

Have an Old-Fashioned Slumber Party

Credit: Peach & Lily

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.

12
Met Logo Crew Neck Sweatshirt

Plan a Day of Museum Hopping

Plan a Day of Museum Hopping
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Met Logo Crew Neck Sweatshirt

Plan a Day of Museum Hopping

Now 27% Off
Credit: The Met

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.

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13
Caraway 11-Piece Bakeware Set

Host Your Own ‘Great British Bakeoff’

Host Your Own ‘Great British Bakeoff’
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Caraway 11-Piece Bakeware Set

Host Your Own ‘Great British Bakeoff’

Now 28% Off
Credit: Caraway

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!

14
lululemon Chargefeel Low Women's Workout Shoe

Go Zip-Lining

Go Zip-Lining
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lululemon Chargefeel Low Women's Workout Shoe

Go Zip-Lining

Credit: Lululemon

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.

15
Gorjana 14k Gold Star Stud

Get a Piercing

Get a Piercing
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Gorjana 14k Gold Star Stud

Get a Piercing

Credit: Gorjana

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.

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16
Hydroflask 21 oz Standard Mouth

Take a Hike

Take a Hike
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Hydroflask 21 oz Standard Mouth

Take a Hike

Now 25% Off
Credit: Hydroflask

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.

17
Pattern Treatment Mask

DIY Your Own Spa Day

DIY Your Own Spa Day
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Pattern Treatment Mask

DIY Your Own Spa Day

Credit: Pattern

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).

18
Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50

Go on a Brewery or Winery Tour

Go on a Brewery or Winery Tour
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Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50

Go on a Brewery or Winery Tour

Credit: Supergoop

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).

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Crown Affair The Brush No. 002

Memorize a Hair Tutorial

Memorize a Hair Tutorial
19
Crown Affair The Brush No. 002

Memorize a Hair Tutorial

Credit: Crown Affair

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.

20
ASPCA Retro Dark Sweatshirt

Volunteer! Be a Good Person!

Volunteer! Be a Good Person!
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ASPCA Retro Dark Sweatshirt

Volunteer! Be a Good Person!

Credit: ASPCA

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.

Headshot of Samantha Grindell
Samantha Grindell
Samantha Grindell is a lifestyle writer based in New York City. She's originally a Georgia Peach, but she made the move to the Big Apple to pursue her #dreams. You can see her bylines in Cosmo, Oprah, Romper, and Insider. Follow her on twitter @sam_grindell
Headshot of Mikhaila Archer

Mikhaila is an Editorial Intern who loves all things entertainment and pop culture. Her passions include (but are not limited to): The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott, 70s furniture, and lots, and lots of Daria. If you want to see what she’s up to, you can follow her on Instagram here.

Headshot of Hannah Chubb
Associate Lifestyle Editor

Hannah Chubb is the associate lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram

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