Summer is the number one time for families to enjoy each other while on vacation. However, with tight budgets and tight work schedules many families opt to take a staycation. Our family loves to take mini-staycations each year. Since we don’t have to worry about the expense of travel and a hotel stay, there is more wiggle-room for splurges. Yay for splurges! Here are some tips on how to plan your next staycation.
Flexibility is key, but a plan is a must for optimal staycation enjoyment! I admit it. I am a planner. I just think everyone has more fun when you take time to think things through and formulate a game plan. NOT having a plan may sound spontaneous and cool for a staycation, but after dealing with so many what do you want to do today, I don’t know what do you want to do conversations a plan will be appreciated by all. Research activities and restaurants beforehand and plan out a basic guideline for each day. Perhaps pay for a cleaning service to come on and get your house in tip-top shape before the staycation. You will also want to shop for the food you need beforehand so you’re not running too many errands during your days.
The great thing about a staycation is that you have a full kitchen at your disposal! Plan on making a few special treats for everyone to enjoy. S’mores in the backyard are a must!
1. Chocolate Dipped Homemade Potato Chips 2. Blueberry & Peach Grilled Pie Recipe 3. Fruit Salad in Watermelon Jack o’lantern
Staycations are not as fun if everyone is constantly plugged into their phones, gaming devices, and laptops. I’m happily addicted to technology, so I would suggest turning off phone notifications on your social media and email so you won’t be tempted to answer work-related questions during staycation activities. I have a perfect example of this. A few weeks ago we splurged on a kayak rental day trip with the kids. I brought my phone to take pics. As I was taking pictures and posting on instagram, a work-related notification popped up that seemed pressing. It was a challenging situation that really could have waited but dealing with it put me in a horrible mood that weighed on my mind and impacted the serenity of my family trip. It was a good reminder to turn off notifications!
Our family loves to explore new parks and eat at new restaurants. Google “things to do in (your city)” and “best restaurants in (your city)” to find some new hidden gems. You can also use your social media network to ask others in your area for recommendations.
We are getting ready to take another mini-staycation in a few weeks for Asher’s birthday. For more helpful tips on how to create a memorable staycation for you and your family, check out the helpful e-guide that Homes.com put together for us. I recommend downloading the guide even if you’re not staycationing this year. The Ultimate Summer Staycation Guide is great for gaining some more summer family activity ideas.
Jennifer Marie says
wow would love to try grilled watermellon.
Thomas Murphy says
I want to Camp out in my backyard.
Ellen B says
A Luau Party
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
I’d like to try the fizzy citrus punch! Yum!
Andrea Roche says
I’ve never grilled watermelon! I’ll have to try!
Andrea Roche says
What fabulous ideas!
Jennifer E. says
Camping at home is always fun…
Nataly Carbonell says
Hi, I’d love the Find local activities and events tips
cathy johnson says
Love the movie night idea with the popcorn bar and the homemade gourmet smores!!
Kellie Rose Wilson says
Popcorn bar sounds like a great time!
Laura Jacobson says
Oh I love the Movie Night and Popcorn bar idea in the Staycation Guide! They have so many neat ideas that I would not have thought of too make it fun!
Candice Moran says
we are moving across the country and into our first house this summer, so we are not taking a real vacation and are having fun thrift shopping, going to flea markets, and refinishing furniture…while some may not consider that a vacation, we enjoy it. The movie night at home is something we do frequently, but it would be fun to make it more elaborate.
Brittney Withers says
It all sounds fun!
reena says
we wont have a real vacation this year because we are expecting our third child later this year. so it’s movie nights, open air pool, zoo and the like. i’m sure we will find more 🙂
Sandra says
I’m going to do the movie night and popcorn bar, my kids will love it!
Stacey B says
The movie night at home sounds like a fun and affordable staycation idea at home
Alycia says
The Movie Night and Popcorn Bar is super cute! My son would love to have a variety of things to throw on his popcorn!
Charlene says
the popcorn bar!
Donna O'Neil says
We aren’t going on vacation this year since we are selling our house and will be looking for a new one. Love the tips on how to stage your house.
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Love the popcorn bar idea. My family would love that!
JILL P says
I want to paint some furniture.
courtney b says
I like the movies and popcorn!
Tammy S says
I want to try the Sponge Bombs. The neighborhood kids all like to do water balloon fights. So this would be so much more fun because you could reload faster.. The clean up would also be so much easier.
Amanda Sakovitz says
I love the popcorn and movie idea. Its a great way to save money and bond with family.
Mitzi Overturf says
How fun!! We love to take day trips with our boys – 3 & 5! 🙂
amanda s. says
I plan to find lots of activities in my NEW local area.
Diana Walters says
I think a double feature movie night starting with a Grilled Cesar Salad, then Gourmet Smores prior to the second feature! Sounds like a lovely evening! I’ll have to try a couple of different cold drinks/punch also!
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says
Thanks so much for a chance to win!
Leslie Galloway says
The Gourmet S’mores Bar sounds fantastic, and would be great for kids and adults alike!
Wild Orchid says
We would love to try the backyard camping idea.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Karen H. says
Tiling…. definitely!
Christina @ Christina's Adventures says
ooooh a smores party sounds fun!!
Lisa Kubin says
I think we will try the backyard campout idea!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Lisa K.
Shelley @ Fort Worth Mama says
I like the idea of making “fancy” food for a staycation. Thanks for a great giveaway!
stephanie says
i like the backyard campout idea
Crystal N says
I would find free activities in my town.
Elena says
I like the sponge bombs idea
Stacey says
I would try the google tip!
Lisa Brown says
I like the movie night and popcorn, great for the whole family.
Jessica W says
I love the idea of camping out in the back yard as a family!
Jennifer says
I agree–some of the best times we have had have been right here at home or enjoying something local. Even just a cookout with fun picnic food near the river can be memorable.
Jessie C. says
I would like to try movie night and pop corn bar idea
Paula@SweetPea says
Taking our dog to the local dog park would be a fun family activity for us. It’s been open for a year and we’ve yet to visit it.
Anita says
We are going to try camping in the back yard.
Jo @ Let's Face the Music says
I’m pretty much stuck with a staycation this summer. Hoping to see a great concert and have a nice meal in the city. There are lots of spots I’ve missed or haven’t been to for a long time locally. Gotta plan something. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
Baylee says
I should really use some help finding activities in my city using google!
Rachel Parker says
I love the idea of turning phones off and making technology limited! I have 3 toddlers who love movies and phones as much as me and my husband( not sure if that makes me a bad mommy:/) but we could use a break from it all and often!
Brandon Dithrich says
Find local activities and events going on around my town!
Suzanne S. says
renting or borrowing a video projector sounds really fun for my kids
Sarah @ An Inviting Home says
Our kids love pools so finding a new one to try would be a great idea for a staycation!
~Sarah
Diana says
Day tripping!
Lauren @momhomeguide says
I’d love to Google things to do in the area. Two items I’d like to do: kayacking and hiking with the family!
Little Bit says
Yep, when my kids were still kids, they loved to do backyard camping… but now… how can you go wrong with smores! Yummy! they always taste like a staycation, right? Little Bit
Li T. says
find local activities and events
Michaela says
Backyard camping!
Kristan Price says
Oh, we are definitely going to try the sponge bombs this summer! We are planning to have them as an activity at my sons birthday party. We are keeping it small this year, just some family members and a bbq. The kids will be able to play outside all afternoon. And we love grilled caesar salad!
Carrie S. says
Staycations are always great, but so is a nice getaway to another state or country! Love your staycation tips AND blog in general. 🙂 Happy summer!
Lesley M. says
The grilled watermelon sounds amazing!!
Erin @ In the Moment Mama says
Love staycations!!
Grace says
Love the tunring off elctronics. Really makes people be creative
Kaela says
We moved to a new city 6 months ago and have yet to really explore. Stay-cation it is!
Jennifer R. says
I would turn off all electronics and I would love to visit our area parks with my 2 yr old and hubby.
Sarah says
Love the Movie & Popcorn night idea – we do this ever winter after the Holiday madness watching all 3 extended versions of the Lord of The Rings trilogy. So excited to add the Hobbit to this years movie madness. We only get Staycations this year as my husband has limited time off due to a new job.
LinhC says
find free activities in my town
Heather Bonner says
I like turning off the electronics. I never realize how distracted they make me until I don’t have them.
Rachel says
We’re probably not going to be able to do a real vacation this year, so I’ve been toying around with the idea of a staycation. Although, my staycation could very well end up being taking a few days off of work to paint my kitchen cabinets. 🙂
Beth says
Ha! That’s what every staycation looks like around here if I’m not careful. Having vacation from home is tricky.
Bob says
How did Valerie P. win? She did not even comment. She didn’t follow the rules 🙁
Beth says
Hi Bob, this contest had 3 options of entry and none were exclusively mandatory (1. Visit homes.com idea gallery, choose an item to pin, then pin your url in rafflecopter, 2. View staycation guide on Homes.com and leave a comment letting me know which staycation idea you liked. 3. Tweet about the giveaway.) Each option was given equal weight and participants could choose to do one or all three options. Valerie chose to Pin one of the Homes.com ideas from the idea gallery. You can see her pin here: http://pinterest.com/pin/135952482474163990/
m Jones says
Would love to get a projector and watch movies on our garage door.
Maureen says
I want to try grilling watermelon – that just sounds interesting!
Chris N says
I want to make sponge bombs for my son and his friends and I want to try the grilled caesar salad. 🙂
Mary Happymommy says
I like the 4th of July ideas they have, like the patriotic rice krispies cake.
Marnie Halliday says
These are some great ideas. It is a staycation this summer but it will be a lot of fun!
Alina says
I would love to find activities in my city using google, as well as social media.
Judy says
Gourmet Smores Party please. Yummy.
Sandy A says
Being somewhat new to our new city I would google things to do and see. We have many places to experience here and I look forward to our day trips seeing them. I love “Staycations” especially since we have Grandchildren here we can spend the time with…
Lora @ Craftivity Designs says
Camp out in our backyard!
Kara Kieran says
I think the perfect staycation for us is to visit the beach for a few days!
Sue says
We have done many staycations over the years, but we personally prefer the beach for a few days. 🙂
Maggie G says
We are going to do a backyard campout – can’t wait!
Sean C says
Your tip about Googleing stuff to do in your city. I plan to ask folks on FB what other thgouht they have about locations/restaurants/museums.
Martha says
Love the popcorn bar idea, looks like a fun snack
Sandi Allen says
Find activities in my area.
Joy @ Thrifty Parsonage Living says
Your tip – Google “things to do in (your city)” and “best restaurants in (your city)” to find some new hidden gems. Is a great idea . I also plan to use social media network to ask others in your area for recommendations.
Keri says
I would try them all