We can’t always get on a plane and take a vacation to some place far away… or tropical, even though I wish we all could! I love taking vacations with my family and just spending time enjoying and exploring some place new.
Even though you can’t venture off on a big, long, and/or expensive vacation, there are plenty of ways that you can make a vacation close to home special and fun!
Family Staycation Ideas
- Drive somewhere that’s somewhat close, but still may be new and different for you as a family! There are so many different and unique things about anywhere that you will travel to. Near us, we have places like the Grand Canyon, numerous little towns all with their own history and BEAUTIFUL scenery with tons of places to hike and get some exercise in as well! We went to this place called “Out of Africa”, which as you can see, was a blast! Type in “Things to do in <your state>” in Google, and you will get a ton of ideas in the cities near you!
- Stay the night at a hotel in town. A lot of kids find so much pleasure in just staying somewhere else, even if its only one night! Plus, you can spend the day using the hotels amenities. Find one with a fun pool area! You can always find deals on Hotwire or Groupon!
- Plan an entire day out. I know, this may sound daunting when you have one kid, two kids, 8 kids… and it can be. But, if you have a whole day planned of local activities for you all to enjoy, then hopefully the kids will stay entertained and somewhat less crazy for the day! Pick things like museums, the zoo, ice cream, water parks, the park in general, mini golf… something that everyone can find enjoyable!
be. But, if you have a whole day planned of local activities for you all to enjoy, then hopefully the kids will stay entertained and somewhat less crazy for the day! Pick things like museums, the zoo, ice cream, water parks, the park in general, mini golf… something that everyone can find enjoyable!
- Let the kids pick what they want to do. Tell them that you want them to pick what they would like their vacation day to look like, and go from there! Who knows, they could pick anything from going to the store, to climbing a mountain. It will be like “Choose Your Own Adventure”! (Anyone remember this?) My daughter would probably end up choosing going to Trader Joe’s, because she loves pushing the mini carts around. Literally, she would do it all day I’m sure.
Get that hummus girl! Def. my daughter
- Do something different at home. Staying a home on vacation doesn’t always sound like the biggest adventure in the world, but you can do things to make it fun! Play games, have a picnic dinner while you watch a movie, set up your own ice cream bar where your kids can make their own sundaes… what else am I missing? I know you all have some fun ideas!:)
What are some of your ways to have a staycation?
*Cheers to staycations, vacations and other adventures*
Joanna
Great tips! Pinning this for when my little guy is a bit older. Naps still break up so much of our day, but I’m looking forward to longer days out soon!
I totally get the naps during the day. My 11 month old cannot go out during the day if she doesn’t get her afternoon nap. Talk about DRAMA QUEEN. 🙂
Thanks for the ideas! Gotta share…(greeting from the Merlot-Twin Blogger Tribe)
Hi Denise! Thanks for stopping by:)
These are fabulous tips! I’ve often said I haven’t explored my city enough. I really like the idea of vacationing in my city and checking out a variety of attractions.
Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
Thanks so much for stopping by! There really is so much to do in the cities around us. I used to think I had to travel far, FAR away to “vacation” but now with two kids, stay-cationing and enjoying things near home is much easier.
Thanks for sharing this post on the #SHINEbloghop Joanna! I love having you join the party. I hope you meet some new blogging friends.
xoxo
Somehow eating on the floor, even if it is in your own house, makes things that much more exciting. Love the idea of having an indoor picnic (or an outdoor one if the weather is nice!)
It really does. Our oldest thinks it is the coolest thing ever to picnic on the living room floor!
I love these! I am in need of a serious vacation but some of these might just have to do now that my son is back in school.
Staycations can be just as fun as a full on vacation sometimes! (And usually much cheaper:))
I love the idea of letting the kids pick. We’ve done this a few times in the summer and fall and they always pick the best staycations. Sometimes it pays off to listen to kids!
Sometimes their ideas are a little out there, haha. But a lot of the times they come up with the most imaginative and fun ideas!
Great idea! We are hummus lovers, too.
FUN!! This summer our staycations were going to Six Flags (we have season passes) and hitting a bunch of festivals and fairs. It’s always fun to enjoy the local flair.
Thanks for sharing on #SHINEbloghop this week 🙂
I love festivals and fairs!
Thanks for stopping by:)
Great ideas! I have three kids and they LOVE staying in any hotel – it could be across the street for all they care. Especially if it has a pool…count them in!
Hi Serena!
I don’t know what it is about kids and hotels, but they just think it is the neatest thing to sleep somewhere else like that. Especially with a pool:)