I know money is tight these days with the cost of food, gas, and just daily life when you have kids. Plus, someone is always getting sick, or hurt.
We have been feeling the strain of inflation in our house as well. With 3 kids the cost is x3 on everything and they’re getting older now and are eating much more then before.
Add to that the looming new school years adds cost like new cloths, school events like skate night, fundraisers, not including trunk or treat/ Halloween costumes, school photos & attire, and Christmas just a few months away.
We want to go on a vacation this year but with a tight budget, one income, and pretty limited vacation time it’s impossible to get away this year. I know many of you are feeling the same way I am…. You’re feeling disappointed because you were hoping to get away, guilty because you feel as if you’ve let your family down, and needing time away from work yourself to reduce the stress you’re probably feeling. So instead of a vacation have a staycation with the family.
What is a staycation
You probably know this but a staycation is where instead of leaving for a vacation you stay home and everything you do is a day trip so you don’t pay for lodging, flights, or even dining out if you plan it right.
Why choose a staycation
Before diving into the planning details, it’s essential to understand the numerous benefits a staycation offers:
Cost-Effective
Travel expenses, such as airfare, accommodation, and dining out, can add up quickly. A staycation minimizes these costs, allowing families to allocate their budget towards activities, treats, and experiences. Like I said above EVERYTHING costs more than ever and that isn’t going to change so we need to find ways to still have fun as a family.
Reduced Stress
Traveling with children can be challenging, with packing, navigating airports, and adjusting to new time zones. A staycation eliminates these stressors, allowing for a more relaxed experience.
If you have ever traveled with kids you know how stressful it can be. Sometimes it’s just the stress of hitting your stops…. Other times though, it’s a little more.
For instance, 2 years ago we went to Moab and took a Jeep out off-roading and as a first time off-roader we followed some family who are experienced and have gone out there many times. Well when you have kids and your stops are CLIFF EDGES where you get to get out and look around but the drops of said cliffs are 100’s of feet to the bottom and your kids are city kids who can’t comprehend high falls. You are terrified the whole time, on edge, stressed the hell out.
Time-Saving
No need to spend hours in transit. The time saved can be spent on fun activities and quality family time.
Discover Local Gems
Often, we overlook the attractions and experiences available in our backyard. A staycation encourages families to explore and appreciate their local area.
Because our country is so vast and is a melting pot of culture there is so much to explore, and experience.
Flexibility
Without the constraints of travel schedules, families can be more spontaneous and adaptable in their plans.
Maybe one day is spent hiking and another is having the house and backyard look like a Island getaway. The options are truly are endless.
So lets make this better then any sticking vacation they will ever take. Let’s make this one they talk about forever. You can spend as much or a little as you want. Just know the less you spend the more creative you may need to get.
Planning Your Staycation
Setting Expectations and Goals
Family Meeting
Gather everyone to discuss what they want from the staycation. This ensures that all family members have a say and helps tailor activities to everyone’s interests. If your kids are younger it will be a bit more difficult but try to take there considerations and how can you work them into the plan or help guide them by giving them “This or that” options.
For instance, your 4 year old wants to go to Disney World. Let’s just pretend, because what 4 year old would possible want to go there…..
Well obviously you can’t do that if you are trying to save money, so what can you do? You can find local areas that are themed in a Disney like manner or attractions similar to Disney.
For instance, you could have mickey shaped pancakes with fruit & whipped cream for breakfast, take them to a park with a carousel, go on a train ride, or a a boat ride around the bay.
I learned one thing from experience, don’t take a trip to Downtown Disney It’s free and Disney inspired but it’s outside the entrance to the gate on Disneyland and it feels like a tease to the kids… and us as parents who are HUGE Disney fans.
Budgeting
Decide on a budget for the staycation. Include potential costs for activities, special meals, and any extras you might want to indulge in. I find getting little extra’S help whither it’s a small gift of the local location, if its a national park we like to get a themed item 7 some of those Little Rocks or crystals they sell. If you are doing a stay at the house staycation, we like to make a cute gift pack. Like a cup themed to the staycation, a small cheap toy, candy, or other fun little extras.
Themes and Goals
Consider setting a theme or specific goals for your staycation, such as adventure, relaxation, learning, or a mix of these. This can guide your activity choices and make the experience more cohesive.
We are huge fans of THEMES. We’ve themed whole days to just one thing. See my May the Forth be with you Post here.
Creating an Itinerary
This is a key point here. Create an Itinerary but don’t be so strict to it that you forget to be spontaneous and have fun. You’ll find yourself in new areas and sometimes throwing your plans out the window for exploring new areas.
Research Local Attractions
Look for local attractions you’ve never visited or haven’t explored in a while. This could include parks, museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and historical sites.
Plan Activities
Include a mix of outdoor and indoor activities to keep everyone engaged regardless of the weather. Ensure there’s a balance between structured activities and free time.
Special Events
Check for any local events, festivals, or fairs happening during your staycation. These can provide unique and memorable experiences.
For us there is always events happening. Pet expo, fair, Asian-inspired night markets with awesome food, harvest events, or just going to the local plant nursery that does fall events with a pumpkin patch.
Pick your theme
So lets take about where you want to take a “trip” to. This is step one picking your theme.
Themes could include places
Tropical
Think and island getaway like Hawaii, Jamaica, Bahamas, or the Caribbean to name a few.
Europe
France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Greece, Ireland, or any of the other countries. You can have some mad fun with any of these. They all have their own nuances that make each one an amazing destinations to get inspired by.
Nature outside the US
A desert like the African Safari, or the Australian Outback. Perhaps your kids want to go to a jungle in South America, or experience the wonders of Mexico.
You can do a Specific theme based on an experience like camping.
You can honestly do this for anywhere you have been wanting to travel to. Some will be harder then others all depending on where you live. For us, living in a Southern California city it’s hard to have a nature inspired staycation. We have like 3 trees in our complex. Another thing that can make it challenging, but not impossible, is your living arrangements. It’s easier to pretend to to go on a camping trip if you actually have a backyard.
Don’t let it stop you though because it doesn’t mean you can’t have one if you live in an apartment.
You could make it still feel like a desert camping trip with just blankets and Air mattress, sleep under the stars or use a small tent, and park it on the balcony. If you don’t have a balcony then a star projector is a good alternative.
Have the kids pack a bag to bring out with them.
Quickly cook a similar breakfast like you would camping; eggs, bacon, taters, and some juice. Take it out to the family on the balcony and eat it on paper plates like you would when camping.
When your done eating jump in the car and go for a hike somewhere with a packed cooler of food for lunch.
When you get back home have some watermelon, hotdogs, burgers for dinner with some oven s’mores for dessert.
The Little Extras
Things to make your staycation a bit more special:
- Food
- Drinks
- Decorations
- Different sleeping arrangements
- Free fun day travels
This doesn’t have to be a summer thing only. How awesome would a Christmas or new years staycation be. Surrounded by the Christmas lights and fake snow
You could actually to a family staycation once a month with a different theme.
Inspired By Staycations
You could more then just location based staycations. How about an inspired by staycation. Think for a minute, Harry Potter Staycation. Everything is themed to Harry Potter, a train ride to start, when you get home each person is “Sorted Hat” into a “House” (Pull Piece of paper out of a hat with names on it) and then have Harry Potter inspired games (Backyard quidditch), food, drinks (Adult ones for the parents), a wand making station, have hanging candles (easy to find this time of year), and as a treat… Every flavor jellybeans.
Things to remember:
This time for you and your family to bond so shut the devices off. That means. You too mom and dad. I know it’s hard, but this is the best time for you to have a little detox too.
Trust me when I tell you the time with your family is very limited. Before you know it your babies are all grown up.
I look back at images of my first born as a toddler, to what feels like yesterday, and look at her today as a 9yr old and she no longer fits at the kids Ikea table. I literally started crying, because at that moment it hit me my baby is not a baby anymore.
Now I know i’ve missed a lot with them because of work, devices, responsibilities, and because I’m just exhausted so much of the time. How about you?
Remember there will be a last time for everything. The last Uppy, the last Dada, the last book read, the last tuck in, and the list goes on. Tomorrow isn’t promised, so make this staycation one to remember… And give them that extra 5-10 minutes there asking for tonight.
