Though we all look forward to time off of school and work during spring break it is very easy to get bored. There are plenty of things to do that will keep you busy, but they are not always affordable. Believe it or not, there are many fun things to do in the area on a budget during your week long vacation.

A good way to spend time with friends is taking a road trip. Taking an hour long drive into downtown Houston or Galveston allows you to do several things for free or for a low price. A day trip to the beach in Galveston or heading to Kemah Boardwalk are always fun ideas. Rides and attractions at Kemah range from $4.00 to $6.00 each or $25.00 for an all day unlimited pass. If you are not interested in rides the boardwalk has many stores, restaurants and areas to walk around.

Downtown Houston also has several free museums and galleries for you and friends to explore. The Jung Center is a free gallery with the focus on giving visitors experiences in psychological, artistic and spiritual areas. The Houston Center for Photography is another gallery that holds classes and exhibitions on photography for free. There are also several museums that are free on Thursdays including the Holocaust Museum, the Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts.

There are also many things to do more locally. If you enjoy being outdoors there are several parks and preserves in the area with lakes, walking trails and picnic spots to explore. Meyer Park, Burroughs Park, Cypress Creek Greenway and the George Mitchell Preserve are a few large, beautiful areas that would be perfect to visit any day during spring break. If you would rather have a day in with your friends it is always a great idea to have a movie marathon. Whether it is a horror movie, a Disney or a Harry Potter marathon getting cozy with your friends, a good snack and some good movies is always fun.

Being bored during spring break is bound to happen, but it is not impossible to combat. It is easy to feel like you are confined by the amount of money in your pocket, but that is not necessarily true. There are many things in the Houston area that can keep you and your friends occupied even when you do not have a lot of money to spare, it is just a matter of getting up and doing them.