Planning a Stress-Free Spring Break in Galveston Island
Ahhh, spring break in Galveston Island. It’s something many families in southeast Texas look forward to the second that Christmas break ends. The kids are getting restless and the monotony of the school year has officially set in. A getaway when the weather is starting to warm up, but the heat is still mild enough to enjoy the island’s sandy beaches, fun water sports and ambling boardwalks sans meltdowns is the perfect way to beat those end-of-year school blues.
But, reality check: with the kids out of school for an entire week, there’s no denying that a little vacation planning is in order to ensure a successful and happy spring break (tantrums and sibling hair pulling, no thanks!) To make sure your BeachBox vacation home stay goes off without hitch, read on. We’ve pulled together seven no-fail tips for planning a stress-free spring break in Galveston Island.
1. Involve the Whole Family
Since parents typically choose spring break destinations, let the entire family plan the week’s fun-filled to-dos. Spend time together researching Galveston Island. Look through travel guides, study up on historical events or read a book set in the area. From lone star crime to thrilling recaps of the1900 Galveston Hurricane, there is a crop of books ready and waiting to bring the barrier island to life.
Don’t know where to start researching your spring break trip? Check out our guide on how to make the most of your Galveston stay. When you’re ready, give the kids a few parent-approved options to vote on. It will have them excited in no time.
2. Visit Beaches Free of Other Spring Breakers
Galveston Island is known for its beaches. The problem? Everyone wants to spend time on the sand. To make sure family time isn’t lost fighting crowds, forget the usual hotspots. Try hitting the west end beaches closer to the beach community where you’re staying. Pirates Beach, Jamaica Beach, Sea Isle and Terramar all have public beach access points with parking, making for a more relaxed and accommodating family outing. While these local spots are perfect for youngsters digging their toes into the sand, they don’t offer beach chair or umbrella rentals. Make sure you pack your own tent, chairs, towels, boogie boards and other beach must-haves. And, don’t forget your personal BeachBox koozie to keep your drinks cold at the beach!
Have your hands full just packing up the kids? No problem. Head to Tipsy Turtle. This slightly busier west end spot does have a beach concierge, and the tradeoff might just be worth it.
3. Sneak in Some Education
School may be out for the week, but with Galveston Island’s storied past, there are a number of fun and educational experiences to be had during your spring break stay. Moody Gardens’ animal and nature-themed exhibits are so engaging your kids won’t even know they’re still learning. Seawolf Park boasts one of the island’s most popular fishing spots along with the Galveston Naval Museum, where visitors can tour a WWII submarine and destroyer. And, historical Bishop’s Palace is perfect for budding architects with its charming Victorian beauty. Other kid-friendly destinations to consider are the Galveston Railroad Museum, Tallship Elissa and Galveston Island State Park.
4. Plan a Hands-on Activity You Can’t Do At Home
Make your spring break in Galveston Island truly memorable with a hands-on activity that your family can’t do at home. Take a sailor’s knot class, join a local ArtWalk or participate in an Artist Boat kayak adventure. See Galveston’s full calendar of events.
Looking for something more low key? Consider catching and grilling your own fish. There are fishing spots aplenty, and your kids will love the role they play in creating the meal.
5. Pack Only Must-Haves
Spring break should be about playing and relaxing, not packing and unpacking. We understand that’s easier said than done, especially when kids are involved. That’s why we’ve carefully designed and furnished each of our BeachBox vacation rental homes to meet your family’s needs. From everyday essentials to washers/dryers and location-specific add-ons, we’ve worked hard to make your packing load light. So, review our Vacation Packing List and bring only those must-have items!
Families, here’s what we don’t have that you will need to make sure is on your packing list: sunscreen, mosquito repellant, pack-n-plays, arm floaties and life jackets for kids. Also, consider grabbing a portable speaker so your family can listen to tunes while hanging out at the beach.
6. Simplify Spring Break Food
Food can be one of the most complicated and expensive parts of aspring break trip. To keep costs down, hit up the larger grocery stores like Kroger, Walmart and Randalls when you first drive into town and stock up for the week. Need something midweek? No problem. Local markets like Seven Seas and the Sea Isle Supermarket are convenient food options. They also have beach necessities if you run out of sunscreen or need to pick up a boogie board.
Want a night in, minus dishes? Indulge. It’s spring break after all. Kroger and Walmart will deliver food directly to your BeachBox. A growing number of Galveston Island restaurants are also now on the Waitr app, allowing you to order great local food for your family and have it delivered to your vacation rental home.
BeachBox insider tip: place an order with Mario’s Pizza in Pirates Beach!
7. Splurge with a Golf Cart Rental
Renting a golf cart might sound like an unnecessary splurge, but trust us, it’s worth every penny. It makes traveling around the beach communities easy, and the kids will love it (need we say more?). Golf carts are also a simple and fast way to move items to and from the beach and are a lifesaver when you need to run back to your vacation house to grab sunscreen, put kids down for a nap or eat lunch. Not to mention, you can park the golf carts anywhere on the beach. We recommend Galveston Golf Carts — they deliver the golf cart right to your BeachBox home!
BeachBox insider tip: Let them know you were referred by BeachBox and you’ll get a $5 off discount!
Above All, Take a Break on Your Spring Break
Whatever plans your family lands on for spring break in Galveston, remember, no one should need a vacation from their vacation. Be sure to schedule in a little downtime amidst all the island fun!
With large, shared living spaces, thoughtfully stocked kitchens and patios for sunning or dining, your BeachBox rental home is the perfect spot for creating lifelong memories. Our homes have smart TVs with free access to Sling TV. And, guests can log into their own Netflix, Prime, Hulu or Disney+ accounts to stream movies or shows for a family night in!
Our homes are perfect for couples, small families, and large families!
So good ahead, relax. We’ve got your needs covered. Your BeachBox home might just end up being the highlight of the trip for your family.