Family-Friendly Staycation Ideas

A staycation has always been a great option for taking some time off and unwinding without having to get on a plane or break the bank. The concept has now become more prevalent, with more people choosing to stay at home. It’s hard to feel like being at home is a relaxing escape, because so often now home is work, and home is restaurant, and home is school. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take some time off and relax. There are still ways to give yourself a break at home; here are 6 great family-friendly staycation ideas.

• Build a Fort – The joy you felt as a kid building a fort in the living room is alive and well. Use some of your downtime to revel in this simple childhood pastime. You can opt to go the high-end route and build a permanent and reusable fort or keep it old school by using chairs, blankets, sheets, and every pillow in the house. This activity will keep the kiddos busy while they’re building, and once it’s created, there are hours of fun to be had reading books, playing make-believe, and rebuilding it once it gets knocked down.
• Camp out in your own backyard – Pitch a tent in your backyard for the ultimate getaway, without really going anywhere. Your kids will love the adventure of sleeping outdoors, while still having the security of knowing that home is nearby. Plan a night of classic camping activities: build a fire, roast hotdogs, make s’ mores, and tell a spooky story or two.
• Plant a Pizza Garden – Do your kiddos love pizza? During this time at home, you can make them even more excited about their favorite food by planning, planting, and starting to grow a pizza garden. They’ll have to practice some patience until their crops are ready to be harvested for a make-your-own pie, but you can teach them some gardening basics. Go all-out and make the garden in the shape of a pie, or for smaller spaces, use pots for tomatoes, basil, oregano, and peppers.
• Go on a Scavenger Hunt – These can be so much fun for all ages and can be taken it in many different directions! Whether you plan out a whole list of items for people to search for, or you spontaneously take a family walk and have your kids find things in nature along the way. It’s a great way to get moving and interacting with each other in a safe way. Tip: This can even become educational! Whether you’re playing inside or outside, you can have your kids find something that starts with a certain letter of the alphabet or that is a certain color, the options are endless!
• Make a backyard waterpark – Kids love the water and will appreciate any time they get to spend in it, especially with the hot summer weather. Whether you just have a hose to entertain with or you have a giant pool with a slide, they’re going to love it! There are a lot of creative ways to turn your backyard into a waterpark using things you may already have on hand. A good old-fashioned water balloon fight works just as well too!
• Turn your backyard into a ballpark – With baseball coming back soon, why not have your own ballpark experience right in your own backyard. Grill hotdogs and makes some popcorn and lemonade while wearing your favorite team gear for a family baseball, t-ball, or whiffle ball game. You could even enjoy that first St. Louis Cardinals game at the end of the month by creating your own ballpark while watching the game outside.
• Unplug – No matter what you do, remember that a staycation is still supposed to be a vacation. It’s a chance to spend time with your family, without any interruptions and low risk of exposure. So, turn off the TV, disconnect from the Internet, and leave your cell phones inside. Reconnect with your family and make memories that will last a lifetime.

I hope these family-friendly staycation ideas inspire you to relax and unwind no matter where you are. Enjoy your time off!

Happy relaxing!

Chelsea Springli