In today’s fast-paced world, it can be hard to take the time off and plan a long vacation away from home. But that doesn’t mean that every family member can’t still have a fun and relaxing time! The perfect staycation can be just as enjoyable, offering the opportunity to unwind and explore your own city, town, or even home. In this blog post, we’ll share some creative, engaging and fun things to do for a family staycation that will leave everyone feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. From exploring local parks and museums to trying out new restaurants and activities, there are endless great ideas for a memorable stay-at-home vacation that the whole family will love!
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Go On a Home Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt may take a bit of time to set up, but it can lead to some beautiful experiences for the whole family. We’ve tried different variations of scavenger hunts. The simplest one is to buy some prompt cards like these (or make your own) and go look around for things are already in your living room or in your own backyard. If you want to get more elaborate, though, you can write specific clues on paper to craft a journey that will take the kids all around the house, and even outside if you wanted to. You could also combine a scavenger hunt with other activities. For example, there are tons of printable sheets that you can use, like one for spotting different things while you’re driving to another activity. Ultimately, a scavenger hunt can be as simple or elaborate as you make it, and the kids will still have a lot of fun either way.
Play Board Games
Board games are our go-to activity when we decide to spend some family time together at home, especially on rainy days. Even better, now that our kids are getting older and can play more strategic games. Depending on our mood, we’ll play a few rounds of UNO to get things started, since it’s a rather quick and simple game. If we have more time to spare, however, we’ll dive deep into more strategic games like Splendor, Wingspan, or Trekking the World. If we’re feeling lazy and don’t want to set up a game, it’s also a perfect time to play a board game digitally. We have an iPad where we’ll play Ticket to Ride, so it’s super easy to get started and have a great time.
Check Out the Local Park
A local park is a great place for families to spend quality time together and engage in a variety of fun activities. One popular option is to have a picnic, bringing along some sandwiches, snacks, and drinks to enjoy on a blanket or picnic table. Families can also play games such as frisbee, catch, or soccer. You can also go for a bike ride or hike on the park’s trails. Many parks have playgrounds and equipment for kids to climb, slide, and swing on, as well as areas for playing basketball or tennis. For those who want a more relaxed activity, taking a leisurely walk or sitting on a bench to read a book or people-watch can be a peaceful and enjoyable way to spend time in the park. With so many options available, a local park can be the perfect place for families to bond and create lasting memories!
Watch a Movie Marathon
It’s hard to find time to sit down and watch multiple movies at a time. But on a staycation, that can be a full day’s plan! Just make sure you’re stocked with plenty of snacks or plan to order some pizzas so you don’t have to spend time making food. Here are some top movie marathons to do with kids:
- Disney animated classics – From Snow White to Frozen, the Disney animated movies are timeless classics that kids of all ages will enjoy. If you haven’t watched to “golden age” Disney movies of the 90s (like The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Hercules), that’s a great place to start. Or you can go for recent Pixar hits like Inside Out, Coco and Soul.
- Marvel Cinematic Universe – This one might depend on your kids’ age or interest, but the Marvel movies are a great way to introduce kids to the superhero genre, with plenty of action, humor, and heart.
- Star Wars trilogies – The Star Wars movies have captivated audiences for generations, with their epic battles, memorable characters, and thrilling storylines. For younger kids, start with the Prequel trilogy, and older kids can start with the original trilogy.
- Toy Story series – These heartwarming movies about the adventures of toys come to life are a must-watch for kids, with themes of friendship, loyalty, and bravery. If you haven’t seen the first 3, then that’s what I’d recommend out of this whole list!
- The Chronicles of Narnia series – This fantasy series based on the beloved books by C.S. Lewis is a great way to inspire kids’ imaginations and introduce them to themes of good vs. evil.
- The Muppets movies – The Muppets are a beloved childhood favorite, and their movies are full of humor, heart, and catchy songs that will have kids singing along.
- The Lord of the Rings (and Hobbit) trilogies – While this series may be better suited for older kids, it’s an epic adventure that’s sure to capture their imaginations and introduce them to themes of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice.
These movie marathons are a great way to bond with your kids, share some popcorn, and create lasting memories.
Go to a Special Event at the Local Library
Local libraries are more than just repositories for books and other reading materials; they are often vibrant community hubs that offer a wide range of events and activities. Some of the most common events that local libraries host include author talks and book signings, book clubs, writing workshops, story time sessions, and children’s story hours. Many libraries also host lectures and presentations on a variety of topics, such as history, science, and current events. In addition, libraries often hold movie screenings, musical performances, art exhibits, and other cultural events. Some libraries even offer classes and workshops on skills such as coding, knitting, and cooking. Overall, local libraries are an excellent resource for community members to learn, engage, and connect with others who share similar interests.
Build a Home Obstacle Course
Building an obstacle course at home can be a fun and challenging activity for both kids and adults. Here are some general instructions to follow:
- Plan the course: Decide on the obstacles you want to include in the course. Some ideas might include hurdles, cones to zigzag around, a balance beam, a tunnel made out of cardboard boxes, or a rope to climb.
- Clear the space: Choose a location for the course and clear the area of any potential hazards, such as furniture or sharp objects. You’ll want to make sure there’s plenty of room for participants to maneuver.
- Set up the obstacles: Start setting up the obstacles in a logical order. For example, you might want to start with the hurdles, followed by the zigzag cones, then the balance beam, and so on. Make sure each obstacle is safe and sturdy.
- Add challenges: To make the course even more challenging, you can add tasks or challenges that participants must complete before moving on to the next obstacle. For example, you could require them to do jumping jacks or complete a puzzle before moving on.
- Time the course: Once the course is set up, time how long it takes to complete it. You can try to beat your previous time or challenge others to complete the course as quickly as possible.
Remember to prioritize safety when building and using the obstacle course. Have fun and challenge yourself, but always take precautions to avoid injury.
Check Out Your City’s Local Attractions
We feel a little embarrassed to admit that sometimes we focus so much on visiting other destinations that we fail to thoroughly explore our own city! It’s been a real joy to see our local children’s museum, local hotel, movie theater, amusement park, history museum, water park, kiddie pool, zoo, and other activities. We still have a running list of places, restaurants and new things that we want to visit in our own town that we try to check off whenever we decide on a staycation. If you haven’t done so already, just Google “things to do with kids in [your city]” and you’ll come across hundreds of fun activities that can keep the whole family busy and get a new idea for what to do. You can also check out sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp for reviews and rankings of what people think is best to do.
Look Up Special Events Happening Near Home
Here’s another family staycation idea! Similar to the idea above, special events sometimes happen in parks, arenas, the local farm and other multipurpose venues. For example, we ran across a posting where the curling team (yep, the Olympic winter sport) in our town was hosting a family night with lessons for kids and adults. We signed up and had a really fun night where we got to learn the basics of curling, which was more complicated than we thought! There are countless limited time events happening all the time too that could lead to a nice day trip. From 5K fun runs, to food tasting sessions, public concerts, art shows, and more, there’s a good chance you can try something new on your staycation. We use sites like Eventbrite and Meetup to discover what’s happening nearby on any given day.
Visit a Nearby National Parks or State Parks
A day spent at a national park or state park is a great way to bond with your family and enjoy the great outdoors. Here are some tips to make the most of your day:
- Plan ahead: Research the park ahead of time and plan your itinerary for the day, taking into account any trails or sights you want to see.
- Pack the essentials: Bring plenty of water and snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather and terrain.
- Take breaks: Be sure to take breaks throughout the day to rest, hydrate, and enjoy the scenery.
- Respect park rules: Follow park rules and guidelines, such as staying on designated trails, not feeding wildlife, and properly disposing of trash.
- Learn about the park: Take advantage of ranger-led programs and exhibits to learn about the park’s history, wildlife, and conservation efforts.
- Try a new activity: Many parks offer activities such as kayaking, fishing, or guided hikes. Try something new to make the day even more memorable.
- Unplug and be present: Finally, put away your phone and be fully present in the moment. Take in the beauty of nature and the quality time with your family.
By following these tips, you can have a fun and enriching day at a national or state park with your family.
Learn to Cook Something New
Cooking together as a family is a fun and rewarding activity that offers numerous benefits. First and foremost, it’s an excellent opportunity to bond with each other, strengthen family relationships, and create lasting memories. There really is no better way than to learn new cooking skills and techniques that can be used to prepare delicious meals at home! Cooking together can also be a great way to encourage healthy eating habits, as families can choose to prepare nutritious meals that are both tasty and satisfying. In addition, cooking together can be a source of pride and accomplishment, as each family member can contribute their unique talents and ideas to create a meal that everyone can enjoy. Finally, cooking together can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to spend time with loved ones, and it can be a great way to unwind after a long day or week.
At the end of the day, there’s no shortage of fun staycation ideas to keep your family entertained and still end up going to sleep in your own bed. These different activities may be dependent on weather and are a great alternative to a family vacation where you travel somewhere. A staycation is a perfect way to take part in free activities, and do great things together, making everlasting memories in the process. So before you book than next big trip, consider a different but fun way to spend time together!
