LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's spring break season, but COVID-19 is hampering plans for many students and families. Mayor Greg Fischer is reminding Louisvillians of free or low-cost options to keep students engaged during their spring break, which runs March 29 through April 2 for Jefferson County Public Schools.
“From trails in our parks to special curbside offerings from the Louisville Free Public Library, there’s no reason for families to be idle,” Fischer said. “There are lots of options for the kind of experiences that stimulate their brains, get their bodies moving and keep them occupied and engaged.”
Starting March 22, families can pick up a free spring break backpack from any Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) location, while supplies last. Each backpack includes family adventures that can be done in the backyard, at the park, or wherever it takes them.
From March 29 to April 3, the backpack's Field Guide will feature a different topic and set of activities to do that day. The activities range from nature exploration to messy art to suggested reading lists. Special nature-inspired Book Bundles are also available by request and can be customized based on a child's age, interest, and reading level. The bundles can be ordered in advance online.
Families can visit any of Louisville's 120 parks while enjoying spring break. Most amenities, like basketball goals, tennis nets, and playgrounds, have been re-opened after having been closed due to COVID-19. Want to go hiking? Jefferson Memorial Forest offers more than 35 miles of trails just 15 minutes from downtown Louisville. A list of the city's trails can be found online, but beware: Due to heavy rains, the trails may be muddy.
Louisville Parks and Recreation has resources for your journies across the city's green spaces, like an animal and bird tracking guide, a tree identification guide, and a guide to Louisville's parks.
Louisville's two historic properties, Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing, and Historic Locust Grove, are open for some limited tours with advance reservations. If scavenger hunts are your thing, the Olmsted Parks Conservancy is hosting an animal habitat scavenger hunt. The nonprofit is encouraging kids to complete this project in their backyard or one of the city's 17 Olmsted-designed parks.
The Parklands is hosting a Spring Break Hiking Camp for students in grades K-6. Each day, the camp will offer participants an opportunity to explore a new trail in Beckley Creek Park while investigating the nearby flora and fauna. The Spring Break Hiking Camps run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March 29 through April 2. Families can select individual days of camp or book the full week at a discounted rate. Registration can be done online.
The Zoo will be open during spring break; however, its Wild Lights Spring Break Camp is full. Summer camps will be available, but they will also fill up quickly with limited capacity.
Kids can join several spring break camps for various age groups at the Kentucky Science Center. During spring break, the center will extend operating hours and stay open until 7 p.m. each day.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is offering free virtual spring break programming for JCPS students in grades 3-5. Parents and guardians can register their child to receive links for five days of activities in each of the following areas: karate, hip-hop, yoga, and soccer. Students will listen as a JCPS teacher conducts a read-aloud.
Students will also be able to participate in literacy activities that accompany the text. Literacy activities will be followed by guided lessons in a new skill from a community partner. Registration is open online.
BLOCS Network providers offer academic and enrichment supports to children in grades K-12. Many provide NTI supports and enrichment activities from arts and music to sports and recreation. To connect with a BLOCS program, go to the BLOCS Louisville website to find out what they are offering for spring break and beyond.