Sometimes money and schedules affect the destination of a family vacation. If your family cannot take a major getaway this year, don’t rule out the power of a staycation.
People become frustrated with the term because they think that a staycation means literally staying at home, and this simply isn’t true. A staycation simply means that you’re staying close to home and being more frugal with your trips. So before you rule it out, try out these fun staycation ideas.
1. Camp in your backyard.
Break out the sleeping bags, tents, pillows and bug spray and have yourself a nice camping trip in your own backyard. Not only will it save you on gas, but if you forget something, it’s only a few steps away. Plus, you know that you won’t have to worry about bears or other wildlife destroying your tent while you’re sleeping.
If you can, make it more authentic by starting up a fire and cooking all your food by holding it over the flames. Make sure to stock up on hot dogs, beans and easy to cook vegetables. And don’t even think about forgetting the s’mores.
2. Visit local establishments.
Do you live close to a big city? If so, take a trip and walk around the area. Sightsee like tourists, and enjoy the view of the area you live in. You can even search the internet beforehand to see if there are any free things you could enjoy. For example, some cities have free zoos or free national parks that you can visit.
You can even learn something on your staycation by taking a guided tour of the city and learning more about its history and culture.
3. Just drive.
Pile into the car and start heading in a certain destination. When you have used about a half tank of gas, find something in the area to do. When you’re done, turn around and go home.
It’s an extremely simple concept, and it can be a great way to spend time with your family. You can play games while in the car or you can have regular conversations. When you reach your halfway point, try to make sure that you find something to do that everyone will enjoy—even if it’s totally silly. (In fact, the more outrageous the better.) And do not forget to take pictures.
4. Stay in a hotel.
Sometimes you don’t need to go anywhere fancy to feel like you have the life. Sometimes all you need is the hotel room. Pack up the family and stay in a local hotel for a night or two and enjoy some of the amenities. Go swimming, take a dip in the hot tub, stay in your pajamas all day and order room service. While it may not sound like much, it could be the vacation you were looking for.
5. Hike or bike together.
Get the family ready and take a biking or hiking trip with one another. You’ll have plenty of time to sit and chat with one another, and it will also provide you with a great deal of exercise. Just make sure to pack snacks.
So if schedules or money are keeping you home this summer, use these tips to have an even greater adventure at home.
Missie Jones is a writer. She writes about home design, cooking, and traveling. Missie also writes for a Bahamas vacation resort.