How To Vacation AT Home With A Family Staycation

More and more people are choosing staycations over traditional vacations that require travel, for various reasons. Not only is it cheaper, it’s less stressful than traveling, especially if you have kids. It can be a wonderful way to bond with your family members and enjoy where you live. And it’s something that can be done all at once or over the course of several weekends, which makes it much easier for families to plan for.

If you’ve been thinking about a staycation, here are some tips to help you get started.

Have fun at home

If you have kids, Good Housekeeping suggests buying a few inexpensive inflatable pools to set up in the backyard. These can be filled with water, plastic balls, or sand to give the kiddos a variety of fun ways to spend an afternoon. Just remember to buy a cover for the pool to protect it from animals and bugs (sitting water can attract mosquitoes). If you can keep your inflatable pool in good shape, it can be cleaned out at the end of the season, hung up to dry, and reused as a place to fill with blankets and star-watch when it gets cooler outside.

If you don’t have kids but still want a fun space in the backyard for adults, HGTV explains how to create an inexpensive tiki bar area, complete with tiki torches to keep the bugs away. You can also go simpler and set up the patio with a nice table and chairs and an umbrella to keep the sun at bay.

Of course, when you create these areas, you’ll need to think of safety as well. Always keep sunblock handy for anyone who’s spending time outside, and never rely on flotation devices to keep kids safe in the water — stay with them at all times. When operating the grill, make sure you check it first for any loose or missing parts, and ensure all hoses and fittings are connected and tightened, especially on a gas grill. Never operate a grill in an enclosed area, as this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

While you may be on vacation, you can still take on some home improvement projects that pack a punch. For many, clutter is a major source of stress. If you’re finding that your family has become irritable and argumentative, simply decluttering and cleaning your home can give everyone a more positive outlook. If you have room in your budget, you can hire a cleaning service, such as furniture cleaners, to handle the work while you relax. Searching for couch cleaning near me is easier than ever thanks to online service directories like Angi, which take the guesswork (and legwork) out of the equation. Customer reviews and ratings can be found, but be sure the one you select uses cleaning equipment that’s appropriate for the job.

Explore your town

Check out all your town has to offer, such as museums, flea markets and antique stores, and historic landmarks. Consider making the time even more special by renting a limo as you explore the city, or just taking a limo ride as something fun to do without having to leave town. Dress up in your best duds and the whole family will get a kick out of a trip around town, no matter the number of passengers — some stretch limos can accommodate up to 18 people!

You can also explore the nature around your town. Look for wooded areas, creeks, hiking trails, mountains and gorges, and lakes. You could even take a camping trip for a couple nights. Just remember to be vigilant about snakes and other animals, wear bug spray and sunscreen at all times, and stay in contact with someone to let them know where you are and when you’ll be back. If you’re traveling with your family, never go off alone.

Staycations can be just as fun as vacations; you just need a good plan and some imagination. Let your kids help you decide what to do and explore, and incorporate drive-in movie theaters, children’s museums, and carnivals as well for a memorable time they won’t soon forget.

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