A staycation is basically a chance to take a vacation while staying in your own town and sometimes your own home. After all, everyone needs to get away. But sometimes money can be issue. Not everyone can travel out of state or out of country just to get away. Sometimes the best remedy for work stress is just to stay at home while on vacation, and that is why so many families are enjoying the idea of a staycation. A staycation gives you all the benefits of relaxing on vacation while enjoying the comforts of home. Here are the twenty fun staycation ideas for families that will help you relax but still make happy memories.
First, What Is A Staycation?
A staycation generally means staying in your town while doing fun activities that you don’t ordinarily do. Staycations are a simple and a much less expensive alternative to traveling far away. You can can stay in your own home or even get a hotel for a night or two. The local hotel option is especially perfect for romantic staycation ideas if mom and dad need a couple days to escape. Either way, you try to strike the perfect balance of doing things a tourist might do and enjoying all the comforts of your own home. It is a great way to schedule some fun and to get some down time too. Staycations can be a wonderful way to relax and explore without the hassle of traveling far from home.
A Staycation is when you don’t leave your city but you plan to do fun things and and new ways to enjoy the place where you are. It is a great opportunity to stay in your local area and experience things that you haven’t tried yet or a chance to do things you are normally to busy to do. Be a tourist in your own city. Visit your own local attractions. Try some new restaurants. Plan some excitement and some relaxation! Here are 20 fun ideas for a staycation.
Best Family Staycation Ideas
Here’s what to do on a staycation with your family.
Go Swimming
Swimming is a fantastic time for the kids and a relaxing time for adults. Find a local public swim center, or get a hot tub for some real relaxation. Swimming is great cheap or free activity the whole family can enjoy. Search for a natural swimming hole or waterfall near you! Or if you have a water park or water slides nearby, this may be the perfect time to indulge.
Wander
Take the kids and set out for an old-fashioned wander. Because we are so reliant on our cars these days, it becomes a lot easier to simply drive from place to place, and that means that we miss a lot. If you want to get to know your town and your region during your staycation, take some time to go exploring. Dress your kids up to go walking, and make sure that everyone brings along a snack and some water. Find a park, do a short hike, or walk to a friend’s or family member’s house. Drive downtown and park and see the sights. Just explore things you have never done or haven’t done in years.
Learn something new
Take an online course or workshop in a subject you’re interested in. It could be cooking, photography, or anything else you’ve been curious about.
Get Ideas from Your Kids
Remember that it is their vacation as well. Tell them that they can suggest things to do as well, but these things have to be done as a family. You may be surprised and impressed at what they come up with. Remember that no matter how odd their request sounds, you should give it a try. You never know what might become a fun family tradition! Sometimes the best things are unexpected things. So go ahead and give the scavenger hunt or ghost stories a try. Or maybe it is a family bike ride a trip to the movie theater. Whatever it is, they will enjoy it twice as much knowing they got to pick it.
Picnic
Why stay home when you can get out and enjoy the great outdoors? If you want to make sure that you have a great time out there, why not think about bringing a picnic lunch? Take the time to cook food that is both delicious and safe to sit out in the sun, and head out for a fun day. Do a quick search on the internet to find out if there are state parks or a national park with trails you could explore near you. If there are any parks within driving distance, head there for some hiking to work up an appetite for your picnic. If you prefer to stay closer to home, think about just having lunch in a city park. Your own backyard may even be a great place for a picnic and overnight campout experience. Don’t forget to add a fire pit and marshmallow toasting party to your backyard camping.
Slumber Party
Even if you can’t get away to go camping, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have a great time when you are out on your staycation. Drag some bedding to the living room and try having a slumber party that’s for family members only. Young children will be delighted by the change in sleeping environment, and you can bet that everyone is going to have fun picking out movies. This is a fun way to gather every one together for some good old fashioned fun. A movie night complete with board games and fun snacks is a great way to relax.
Local Gems
Visit local attractions, museums, parks, or restaurants that you haven’t had the chance to try yet. Sometimes we overlook the gems in our own backyard!
Take a digital detox
Disconnect from your devices for a day or a even a few hours. Read a book, meditate, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
More Of My Favorite Ideas On What To Do For Staycation:
- Local library trip to find good reads for the entire family
- Check for free events in your area
- Visit a local farm
- Explore a local park
- Adopt a Rescue Pet
- Visit art galleries
- Have a treasure hunt
- Visit a children’s museum
- Explore a nearby large city
- Have a movie marathon
- Try a new restaurant
- Visit the farmer’s market
- Take a short road trip to a nearby amusement park
- Take a food tour of your city
- Have a craft day
- Work on a project together, like building a fort or treehouse or doing a room makeover
- Fun Backyard Games For Kids
- Take family photos to remember your perfect staycation!
The Benefits Of Staycation
A staycation can leave you relaxed and refreshed because you don’t have all the hassles of traveling! You can do day trips where you plan to enjoy local attractions. Explore new places to eat or visit old favorite haunts. You can even book a hotel in your own city and enjoy it as a tourist would.
Staycations have become very popular in the last few years as money is tight and people have got on the “buy local” bandwagon. The word staycation was even added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary back in 2009. So if you don’t have big plans this year to head to a tropical locale, here are a few reasons why it is cool to stay at home and make best of it!
SAVE MONEY
No airfare, hotel, or rental car costs. A lot of the stress of travel comes from feeling that you are overspending. While you may still spend money on your staycation, you can usually get away with a much smaller budget and avoid unexpected travel expenses.
SPEND MORE TIME RELAXING
The point of a vacation is to relax, and staying at home cuts down on your travel time so you can spend more of your time off relaxing and enjoying your surroundings and your family. There are no wasted travel days on the front and back end of your vacation, so you usually get two more extra days for relaxation and fun!
LESS STRESS AND STRAIN
Travel can be exciting and an adventure but it can also be exhausting and stressful. Dealing with traffic, booking hotels, making reservations, getting through airport security lines, making connecting flights, getting to the gate on time, getting the rental car, navigating an unfamiliar place, the list goes on and on. It can add up to more stress than fun. Who needs it!? On a staycation you avoid travel related stress and can be more flexible. Plus, every night after you’ve explored your city or town, you can come home to your own comfy bed.
SUPPORT THE LOCAL ECONOMY
The money that you spend while exploring your own area will go to support the local economy. You can make an extra effort to try locally owned, non-chain restaurants, shop at out of the way boutiques and visit local shops, attractions, and towns. Find spots that you have never experienced. You will be amazed at all the great things that are probably just around the corner.
AVOID TRAVEL PROBLEMS
Lost luggage, delayed flights, bad service, broken electronics, over-priced food, over-priced tourist traps, and the always possible bad weather that can ruin any trip. These are only a few possible travel mishaps. A staycation gives you more hands-on control and offers less opportunity for things to go terribly wrong. If something happens at home it is much easier to adjust your plans.
SKIP LONG LINES
If you enjoy waiting in seemingly endless lines, then maybe a trip to Disney or another tourist destination is in order. But a staycation gives you the opportunity to try out fun local activities during off-peak hours, when everyone else is at work. Skip the long lines and spend more time having fun. Everyone else will be leaving town so you can pick and choose your spots.
MAKE RECURRING MEMORIES
One of the best things about staying local is that you can find favorite new restatements, attractions, and locations that you can visit again and again. Some of the best times I have had with my son have been discovering hole in the wall joints that we now eat at regularly. They have become “our” places and have given us great, lasting memories. Look up the touristy things you have never done in your area and do them! Find nature hikes you haven’t been on. Try new restaurants. Do something you don’t normally do- like go dancing or listen to
Conclusion
These staycation ideas can be fun for both the kids and the parents. Without the cost of travel, you may be able to indulge in a few extra leisure activities that don’t fit into your usual routine. The key is to do things that help you relax and recharge, whether that’s trying new activities, pampering yourself, or simply taking time to unwind.
Stay local this spring break and I bet you that you still have a great time while saving money, time, and stress! Another great idea is to explore some new local restaurants during your staycation. Trying new things is always fun. Whatever you decide to do on your staycation, get creative! Adapt these fun family staycation ideas to make the best staycation for you and your family this year. What are your best staycation ideas?
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Bethany says
Some really great ideas! My mum and dad did alot of this when i was growing up and it really didn’t make that much of a difference that we couldn’t go on fancy holidays! I loved the adventure of having a few days of going to the beach and watching films at home. I also loved making the front room into a tent with bedding and sheets!! 🙂
The Mama Pirate says
Thanks for sharing the staycation meaning. I am so happy now that the pandemic has calmed down and finally can get out of our homes. I am ready to say goodbye to travel restrictions and social distancing. Last weekend, we spent a memorable day in a national park with kids. Thanks for sharing your favorite staycation ideas.
Kara Watsica says
A staycation is a perfect way to unwind without the stress of travel. I like to enjoy a DIY spa at home with scented candles, relaxing music, and essential oils. I give myself a facial, mani-pedi, and deep-conditioning hair treatment.
Sage says
I like to do a movie marathon with popcorn and cozy up with blankets. Then in the evening we go outside for a bonfire with s’mores and hot cocoa. I love all your staycation ideas too. This time we will vote and try something new from your list.
Accent F says
This article beautifully highlights the joy of staycations, offering creative and budget-friendly ideas for family fun. This is a perfect guide to making local adventures feel just as exciting as a getaway!
Healthy Minds says
Love these staycation ideas! It’s a great reminder that fun and relaxation don’t always require traveling far. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions!
Twincles says
Great ideas! A well-planned staycation can be just as exciting and refreshing as a getaway. Quality family time is priceless!
ANJALI says
Love these staycation ideas! A great reminder that you don’t have to travel far to relax and have fun. Perfect tips for making the most of time at home. Thanks for sharing!
Seeya says
Yes, to feel relaxed and fresh, sometimes we should plan staycation with family.
Nanajee Travels says
Great staycation ideas! It’s amazing how a little change in routine can make home feel like a getaway. A perfect chance to relax, recharge, and create fun memories with the family!
doctor dubai says
Amazing article! Staycations are such a fantastic way to unwind without the hassle of travel. Your list of ideas makes it easy to turn a simple break into a memorable experience!
To make the most of a staycation, it’s also important to maintain good health. Stay active with short walks, stay hydrated, and ensure you get quality sleep. A relaxed body and mind make every moment more enjoyable!
Diligence Certifications says
A staycation is a fantastic way to bond with family while exploring fun activities without the hassle of travel. From backyard camping and home movie nights to DIY spa days and local sightseeing, there are plenty of creative ways to make lasting memories. With the right planning, a staycation can be just as exciting and rejuvenating as a traditional vacation—without the stress of packing or long journeys!
Kidzonia says
Wow, these are fantastic ideas! I especially love the ‘themed movie night’ and the ‘backyard camping’ ones. Perfect for making memories without leaving home. Thanks for the inspiration!