Staycations are the new hotness when it comes to getting together with family and friends and hitting the towns. Everyone loves getting together in one place and exploring new places together. It gives everyone a chance to reconnect and have fun.
But spending quality time with your loved ones can feel challenging in the hectic-rat-race that is modern life. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to create the perfect family staycation without breaking the bank. With a little creativity, a staycation can be a fun, relaxing, and rewarding experience all in one.
Here are some fun things to do on a family staycation. Check out the list, and see if it sounds like something your family and friends could get excited about.
1. Organize ahead of time
Before you head out to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you’ll want to make sure you have all the information you need to have a successful family staycation. This includes having your accommodations booked as well as your activities planned.
Planning your staycation ahead of time will help you save time and money, and it will also help you to have a better experience. If you’re looking to save money while you’re away, you may want to consider staying with a family member or friend instead of booking a hotel room. There are a variety of ways you can stay with a friend without the hassle of a long-distance relationship.
2. Go outdoors
A family staycation is a perfect opportunity to get outdoors, breathe in some fresh air, and spend quality time together. If you have children in your family, hiking or exploring a local park are great activities to get them engaged and out of their devices. Taking a nature walk, exploring a local botanical garden, or walking through a local wooded trail are great ways to spend quality time with your spouse without breaking the bank.
Explore your area’s local parks, trails, and natural areas to discover unique and beautiful landscapes while you’re away. Visit museums or cultural institutions, or take in a show at a local theatre. Shop local farmers’ markets or big-box retailers for unique gifts or food items that are grown or produced locally
3. Find a local café
Cafés are a great way to spend time together, and there are a variety of great cafés that are family-friendly. Find a café near your accommodations where you can meet up for lunch or grab a snack. You can also do some family planning while you’re at the café. You may find that you’ve gained insight into ways to better communicate with one another while you’re away.
4. Visit a cultural landmark
Educate your children about the history of their own country, state, or city while you’re away. Visiting cultural landmarks such as museums, art galleries, or historic sites can be enlightening as well as fun for the whole family. There are a variety of ways to visit cultural landmarks while you’re away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Consider visiting on the weekends to ensure you have the time to explore and enjoy these places at your own pace.
5. Stay in a hotel
If you have random vacation days or a work trip coming up, you can often find great deals on hotel accommodations that are fairly centrally located in major cities around the world. If you have a large family with children, you may find it challenging to create a staycation in a hotel room with so many people in one space.
You may prefer to book a hotel room, which can be good or bad depending on the type of hotel you stay in. Having the flexibility to stay in a hotel room while you’re on a family staycation can be a huge perk. You may find that being in a hotel room allows you to create a more relaxed atmosphere in your family and that you don’t feel as isolated from one another as you may in a house.
6. Take a day trip
Take a day trip and explore a new city or two near where you live, or take a day trip to a nearby big city and explore. You can visit the places you’ve always wanted to visit or visit places you’ve never been before. You can pack a picnic lunch and take in the sights of the city while you eat. You can visit national parks, and historical sites, or even go to a theme park. You can also take a day trip with your family and friends and visit a wine or craft beer tasting or a winery or brewery. You can go on a road trip to someplace new so everyone can see where they grew up.
7. Host a board game night
Board games are an inexpensive way to spend time together, and they can be a lot of fun. Most hotel rooms come with a mini-fridge, so you can also bring your food, drinks, and snacks so they are not left behind at home. You can also use a board game day as an opportunity to host a family conversation with one of your child’s therapists, coaches, or other key individuals in their lives. If you are hosting a board game night, you can use the activity to foster communication and family relationships. You can also use the night to introduce the importance of self-care and priorities for your family members.
8. Go on a hike
Hiking is a great way to get outside and breathe fresh air, but it is also an activity that is great for families. You can explore great trails near your accommodations, or you can explore trails near where you are staying. You can also use a hike as an opportunity to explore your vacation location while you’re out in the fresh air.
9. Play some golf
If you have the time and the weather cooperates, playing some golf is a great way to spend time together. You can explore the local golf courses, or you can explore public courses nearby.
10. Go ice skating
Doing something active while you’re on vacation is a great way to get your heart rate up and get your blood flowing. You can explore different ways to get your heart rate up while you’re on vacation such as hiking, exploring nature trails, or playing a sport.
You can also explore ways to get your blood flowing while you’re on vacation such as exploring different forms of yoga or attending a martial arts class. If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with the family, exploring ways to get your heart rate up and your blood flowing is a great idea. You can explore different ways to get your heart rate up while you’re on vacation such as hiking, exploring nature trails, or playing a sport. You can also explore ways to get your blood flowing while you’re on vacation such as exploring different forms of yoga or attending a martial arts class.
11. Go to the zoo
One of the best things to do on a family staycation is to visit a zoo. There are so many awesome benefits to visiting a zoo. You get to experience the natural wild environment in the city, and you get to spend time with your family and friends. You can go to the zoo during the summer months, when the weather and crowds are low, and find an awesome deal on tickets. There are many different types of zoos, so find one that fits your family’s interests. You can also visit an aquarium on a staycation.
12. Visit a museum
You can learn a lot about history and the arts by visiting a museum. There are so many museums to choose from that you can visit museums all around the country. There are natural history museums, art museums, science museums, and so much more. You can visit museums during the day and then have dinner nearby at a restaurant with a view, or you can have a staycation picnic and meet up with your friends and family after the museum. Your schedule is completely open during a staycation, which means you can take full advantage of visiting a museum and visiting museums around the country.
13. Go skydiving
Skydiving is a great activity to do with family and friends. You can get together at a local skydiving facility and go together. You can all go skydiving as a family on a staycation, or you can go individually and have a blast. You can rent a skydiving plane or do a tandem jump, where you can go up with your friends and family and experience the thrill of free fall together. You can also go parachuting, hang gliding, or any other activity that involves getting off the ground and up in the air.
14. Go to an amusement park
Find a deal on a day or multi-day pass to an amusement park and go. Visiting a theme park is another great way to spend time with family and friends. You can spend days at a time visiting different rides, walking around the park, or enjoying a picnic while you watch your children run around and play. You can also plan out a day or a week of activities and visits that don’t involve the kids.
15. Camp out in a hammock
You can easily spend the night in a hammock at a local park or in a friend’s backyard. You can bring your sleeping bag, blankets, and food and have a relaxing night. You can enjoy the fresh air and view of the stars overhead. You can go for walks and explore the city, visiting restaurants and attractions that are nearby.
