10 Great Family “Stay-cation” Ideas

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• Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to spend gobs of money on an elaborate vacation. A “stay-cation” – or a vacation at home – can be the best way to enjoy time together, relax, and do all of the things you could do on vacation from the comfort of your hometown. You can even plan a weeklong “stay-cation” with fun events and outings to have that true vacation feel. The list below gives some great tips on having a wonderful low-budget vacation.

1. Local Amusement Park

• Planning a day at the local amusement park can be a great little getaway the whole family can enjoy. Just like a vacation, you’ll want to go have some excitement and a whole day doing something together. This is something the kids will be sure to love and be talking about for weeks to come. Be on the lookout for coupons and deals offered to take the stress off your wallet, too.

2. Sporting Event

• There are many different Major and Minor league games that offer give-a-way nights and other exciting events to go along with watching a great game. What better way to spend time with loved ones than cheering on a local team and having cotton candy?

3. Backyard Camping

• Plan a camping trip from the comfort of your backyard! You will have all the essential amenities – and running water – just a few steps away, but you can still pretend you’re roughing it. Set up camp in the back yard, light up a fire, and cook some s’mores while telling a few ghost stories.

4. At Home Dinner Theatre

• Have a murder mystery night at home. It’s easy to set up a dinner party where suddenly things go amiss. This can be fun for the whole family and it gives everyone the opportunity to play a different character for the evening.

5. Go Thrifting

• Round up the crew and go thrifting. Turn up the excitement and set a small budget for each person and make a game out of it. Whoever can find the most unique and quirky item wins. It won’t be long before the kids are yelling, “Oh cool! Look at what I found!” Plus, everyone will go home with a little hand picked trinket as a “stay-cation” souvenir.

6. Stargaze

• Step outside on a cool, clear summer night and lay in the grass to look at the stars. Taking on the cosmos and try to find as many constellations as possible. You can even make up new constellations with stories of their own! Flex those imagination muscles and you’ll have stories to retell for years.

7. Local Tours

• Many cities have local walking tours you can do to learn about the city and explore at the same time. Take a walking tour or even stop at some local breweries and factories to take their guided tours. There are plenty of cool events in your local city for the whole family to enjoy while learning something new.

8. Have a Cookout

• What feels like more of a vacation than a cookout? Fire up the grill, brew some fresh iced tea, and play backyard games. Cookouts are a great summer activity where everyone can relax and have fun in the sun. Set up a slip and slide or sprinkler for the kids and you’ll have entertainment for hours.

9. Movie Night

• Rent a movie and stay in for the night. Make some popcorn, build a fort, and dress up as your favorite characters from the movie. You’ll have the movie theatre experience from the comfort of your own home – with some added bonuses. You can even turn it into a movie marathon!

10. Game Night

• Pick a few board games and let the fun begin. Game nights are a great way to bring the family together with a little competition thrown in the mix. Not to mention the bragging right that go to the winner!

• Planning a “stay-cation” is one of the best ways to enjoy the summer months from the comfort of your own hometown. The best part about “stay-cations” is that you can have more than one! Make it a regular thing all summer long and the kids will be begging for a “stay-cation” next summer.