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Ways to Enjoy a Staycation or Daycation that work for anyone!
It would be great to escape the hustle, bustle, and day-to-day responsibilities of our normal lives for a week of fun and relaxation somewhere far away, but it’s not always in the budget. Airfare, hotel, rental car, and other travel expenses can make taking a vacation very expensive. And even if cost isn’t a factor, sometimes health concerns or work obligations prevent us from leaving or going far from town anytime we feel like it.
But that doesn’t mean when summer vacation time rolls around and the kids are home from school that you can’t still have a great time! Why not plan a vacation in your own backyard? A true Staycation or Daycation is more than just a week off, spending time at home, it is an intentional time of fun and relaxation for your family. It takes a little effort to do it right, but ultimately, it can be just as satisfying as going somewhere far away.
Set some ground rules. The point of a Staycation or Daycation is to make it feel as much like a real getaway as possible, without leaving or going far from the comfort of your own home. So, to make sure the whole family is on the same page, it is good to start with some ground rules that everyone can agree on. These could include all or some of the following:
- No email
- No computer or video games
- No working from home
- No worrying
- No fighting
- Family time only—no independent activities or outside plans
- No cooking, cleaning or laundry
Trick out your bedroom. Make sure you have soft, cozy sheets and that they are freshly cleaned. Add a little scented fabric softener to the laundry to get them smelling great. Get rid of the alarm clock. Put some fresh flowers in a vase on your nightstand along with a book you’ve been wanting to read. Fill a basket with some of your favorite snacks and some bottled water to have in your room. Get some scented candles or plug in’s, maybe some essential oils to help you relax. Shut Off Your Phone!
Become a tourist. Do you live in or near a city where there are lots of tourist attractions that you’ve never been to? This is the time to check them out. Visit your local museums or monuments, try a couple of the “hot spots” for dinner, visit the zoo, go to a sporting event or get theater or concert tickets.
Spend time in the great outdoors. Go on a nature walk or hike at a national park. Do you live within a couple of hours from a beach? Take a day trip. If you’re not close to a beach or national park, take the family to a local park for a game of Frisbee, a long walk or a little fishing. Go camping in the back yard! (for real.. backyard camping rocks!)
Enjoy a fun family night in. Play a board game or Charades together. Have a movie night complete with popcorn and snacks. Do a puzzle or invent a new game. Go to the local library and borrow a few movies for FREE. Build a fire to roast marshmallows and tell scary stories. Have dinner on a blanket on the lawn or floor.
Bonus Idea!!! Find out what all the buzz is about by loading Pokémon Go to your phone and join in the fun!!
