Going on a big, family vacation is great, but it can certainly be stressful. Between the money spent, and the headache of preparing for the trip, that big vacation may be more trouble than it’s worth. How about choosing to do a few great staycations instead?
Check out these ideas.
1. Go camping with the whole family. Plan a weekend camping trip to a local camping spot. Put away the televisions, the tablets, and other electronics and plan to enjoy hikes, fishing, swimming, and storytelling around the campfire.
2. Visit a local national park. Check around your area — chances are there is a national park within an hour or two of where you live. Do an online search for activities that are going on then plan to make a visit.
3. Visit a local recreation center. Is there a recreation center near you? Look for a rec center that offers swimming, water slides, and other fun activities.
4. Try Geocaching! Geocaching is a treasure hunt of sorts. You use a handheld GPS (you can get apps for your phone) and the Geocaching website to find hidden treasures around your location.
5. Go to a minor league baseball game. If there is a minor league baseball team near you, check out their schedule. They usually have a number of family-friendly events at home games.
6. Create a water park in your yard. Set up a sprinkler, a small wading pool, a slip and slide, and buckets of water balloons in your yard for some great, hot weather fun for the whole family.
7. Host an outdoor film festival at your home. Rent (or purchase if you plan to do this often) a projector then hang a white sheet on the side of your house or garage. Plan an evening of movie fun and model it after a night at the drive in. Don’t forget popcorn and drinks!
8. Look for local events and festivals to attend. Check around for local festivals or other fun events like carnivals, farmer’s markets, county fairs, and more to attend.
9. Spend a day at a local amusement park. Is there an amusement park within two or three hours of your home? Plan a day or a whole weekend to visit and have fun.
10. Visit a local wildlife refuge. National wildlife refuges usually have programs going on throughout the year. Check their schedule or just go for a drive and a hike through the refuge. Check for regulations about permits first.
The great thing about staycations is that unlike a big vacation, you can have more than one. You can have a staycation anytime during the year and they can cost a lot less and actually be a lot more fun.
Leave a Reply