What is a staycation? The staycation is all of the relaxing togetherness of a traditional vacation and a lot less of the hassle and cost. Opulent traditional family vacations have been temporarily put on hold due to the crushing financial crisis that has hit the economy. Between the rising costs of eating out, the obscene amount that is currently being charged for gas and an unprecedented unemployment rate, staycations are growing in popularity.
We pay for our beautiful homes in suburbia; why not enjoy them? Here are a few tips on how to have a fabulous staycation.
- Sleep in! Turn off all the alarms, pull down the room darkening shades and just relax. Don’t get up until you wake up. Tell the kids to play quietly in their room until you awake. Reward them with a day at the beach.
- No chores! The laundry can wait. Spend the day at a splash pad or lounging by the community pool.
- Visit the natural beauty of your area; beaches, parks, nature preserves. They are all free and you can have picnics of your favorite foods, enjoy some fresh air and spend the day playing outside together. Bonus: Free concerts and fireworks in the park.
- Scope out when the free/discounted days are at your local attractions. You would be surprised at how many zoos, museums, galleries, science centers and planetariums have free and discounted days.
- Pitch a tent and have a family camp-out under the stars. Start a bonfire, roast marshmallows, and play name that constellation. Sit under the stars and tell stories, sing songs and laugh together. If the weather’s bad, string some twinkle lights and build a tent inside.
- Take loads of photos and video to document your family time. Have fun and enjoy the moments together.
Photo Source: Annalea Hart
