Fun Staycation Ideas for Any Family

Are you feeling overwhelmed by chaos at home and just need a break? As a busy mom of 4, I also feel this way, but budget or transportation issues keep us from having a 5-star vacation. What’s the solution? Staycations! Here are 6 staycation ideas for families that you can do on a budget and still make fun summer memories with your kids.

I’m a huge fan of a summer staycation. Yes, I love to travel, but there is something pretty cool about exploring your town or city like a tourist. Finding new hole in the wall, mom & pop places in my own hometown is so fun.

This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases.

Vacation days that are actually spent on vacation are a rare and delicious treat, especially if you have kids. It can be such a relief to have a few days with your family where you don’t have to think about work or chores or the chaos of daily life. Unfortunately, vacations can be costly and travel can be time-consuming which has launched the popularity of the staycation.

What’s a Staycation?

A staycation means saving money on transportation and hotel by staying in your own home and pretending to be visitors to your own city. You may be thinking, “A vacation at home? How can that be fun?” I assure you it can be. We’ve done it many times and before I share my best tips for what to do on a staycation, I’ll help you get organized.

Plan a Family Staycation

When we think of a vacation, we often focus on going somewhere else. We forget just how awesome our own city is. It isn’t until we stop and think about trying something new, that we really start to explore the places around us.

Just like a traditional vacation,planning your staycation will ensure everything goes smoothly. One of the biggest challenges is to not do a few chores “real quick” or to check your email for “just a minute”. You’re on vacation – this is not the time to do a bit of laundry.

Try Something New

Visit your city’s tourist bureau office or website for ideas on what to do and see locally. They will have the latest news on free events, must see tours, new attractions, and more. Make a list of 10 awesome staycation ideas that everyone in your family would like to do.

The fun of a staycation is finding the new things you didn’t know about. Finding local hidden gems will keep you talking about your family vacation for years to come. Forget about your “regular spots” and look for those new to you places. It could be a new restaurant, new attraction, or new activity. Let everyone in the family have a say in deciding activities. They may want to go to that ice cream shop that you always pass by but have been too busy to notice.

Plan Simple Meals

Create a rough and simple meal plan. Will you eat out or cook at home? Remember – you’re on vacation – if you choose to cook at home, keep it simple and everyone needs to chip in and help out. Mom needs a vacation, too!

For lunch, I’m not big on sandwiches. For our mid-day meals, I will usually pull together appetizer type foods, dips, ready to eat convenience foods, etc.

Some of my favorites include:

whole wheat crackers and spinach dip
fresh fruit
fresh veggies and hummus
French or sourdough bread and bruschetta
sliced or cubed cheese
beef jerky or sliced deli meats

I love meals with grab-n-go foods like these, because I can throw them in my bag and enjoy them anywhere. It could be at a park, summer concert, on a hiking trail, or at home. Best part is everyone eats what they like, cleanup is super easy, and it’s food I can feel good about feeding my family.

Fun Staycation Ideas for Any Family

This is your chance to be a tourist in your own backyard. Whether you pitch a tent in the backyard, visit local museums, or check out all the tourist attractions, just get out and explore to make the best of your city with the family.

Some of my favorite staycation activities are family-friendly events in our local botanical gardens. During the summer, there are moon light bicycle rides, free concerts, and movie nights in the park with different food trucks on site. Then there are all the museums I keep meaning to visit. A staycation is the perfect occasion to make time to see everything you’ve been putting off.

Can’t read now? Pin for later!

Related: If you have children in elementary school, register them for the Six Flags Read to Succeed Program to receive a free theme park ticket if you have one nearby.

Camp in Your Own Backyard or Close to Home

If you and your family love to go camping but the travel budget is tight, consider making at home camping part of your next staycation! You can use all of your luxuries of home or not, it’s all up to you!

Part of the fun of camping in the backyard is getting to experience the sounds of the night, check out some stars, and maybe even roast a marshmallow or two. The added benefit of camping at home is you don’t have to go through the pesky trouble of packing, trying to remember all the tent supplies, etc.

Most locations have smaller campground nearby. A staycation is a great time to check out your local areas. It’s an inexpensive and exciting adventure.

If you camp close to home, check out our weekend meal plans for camping.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt

How much do you really know about your local history or folklore? Use a scavenger hunt to explore different local businesses or landmarks. It’s great family fun to break into teams and complete the hunt before the others.

Tour the Local Parks

If your kids are like mine, they have a favorite city park. Have you ever played at all the others, though? One time, just for fun, we had a park day where we tried to visit every city park. It was fun to see which amenities each park had.

Road Trip

Use your home as a base and take daytrips in your area. Are there hiking trails you’ve never explored or even a national park?

Eat at a Local Restaurant

I like to keep meals simple during our staycations. Usually we cook or eat at home for breakfast and lunch and then eat out for supper. Try ethnic restaurants you’ve never tried before or a food truck in your city.

Game Night Marathon

Staycations are the perfect time to take family game night to a whole new level. Play games that are family favorites or try new board games. Set up an obstacle course in the backyard for a family tournament.

Couples Retreat

Staycations are great for the whole family, but they are also an affordable way to get some quality couple time. Hire out the grandparents or set up a weekend childcare swap with another family. You and your sweetheart can plan a couples retreat and can get some precious alone time without breaking the bank.

Set up some DIY massages
Couples’ mani/pedi’s
Lounge around in your robe while watching Netflix movies all day
Enjoy the peace and quiet

You don’t have to exclude the kids in these relaxing vibes. Get the kids involved and make a family event of this as well! Taking a day to just be calm and carefree can do a lot of good for everyone and all without any travel or expenses!

More Staycation Ideas

Oftentimes we spend our entire lives in one location and never really get to explore all of the amazing places all around us! Just like you would for a normal traveling trip, Google the most popular places in your local city or town. The results might surprise you!

Find some of those little-known wonders or popular attractions.
- Local museum, Children’s theatre, family-friendly gallery, amusement park
- Lake, beach, tidal pool, nature/hiking trail, splash pad or water park
- Animal sanctuary or zoo
- Public park, nature center, fish hatchery
Find a Mom and Pop style eatery or local hang out for a meal
- Someplace serving a local favorite
- A restaurant you’ve never tried
- Check local travel guides or websites to see fan favorites
- Try a new food truck
Take in a local event or concert
- Many cities offer free entertainment in outdoor spaces.
- Utilize the summer movie series for discounted movies at local theaters
- Check local homegrown bands or music groups
Get out there & explore like a tourist

No matter how you choose to spend your staycation days you can’t go wrong with some awesome and relaxing times close to home. The great thing about planning a staycation is that you will likely be able to plan WAY more fun and activities than you could with a traditional vacation.

Staycation Gift Ideas for Families

Even though you’re staying home for staycation, it is still fun to have some gifts for family members to use on their home vacation. Here are some presents to put in a staycation gift basket. (Give this experience gift list to grandparents at the holidays, too!)

Snacks for movie night such as popcorn, candy, and drinks
Passes to the local children’s museum, trampoline park, or a concert
Outdoor toys such as cornhole, jump ropes, or frisbee barrel
Gift cards to local ice cream shops or family restaurants

Staycations give you the ability to enjoy adventures close to home without wasting time or money on travel! Who knows how many extra adventure days that could be!?!

Staycations are a great way to have fun at home and they are also relatively inexpensive. You won’t have to pay for hotel or lodging, travel expenses will be nearly nothing, and you’ll gain some amazing insights into the world that is in your direct vicinity!

What are your favorite things to do on staycation?

Don’t forget to invite your friends to our Facebook groups! We would also love to see your vacation pictures!

For more family activity inspiration, check out our latest posts here:

6 Staycation Ideas for Families to Explore at Home

What’s a Staycation?