The first week of April means SPRING BREAK and if you and your family are skipping a vacation this year, but still want to make the time together special, check out this list of items that can make your week of “Staycation” eventful and jam-packed with great activities. Maybe you won’t be leaving the state, or even the backyard, but you’re still guaranteed to have fun!
- Living Room Camp-Out: how long has it been since you built a pillow fort? Regardless of the answer, it has been TOO long. Get everyone together in the living room with stove-top s’mores and warm popcorn and just camp-out!
- Backyard Scavenger Hunt: looking for something new to do outside? Write out some fun hints that lead the family to a special prize. Hide the clues in the trees, grass, or under the slide on the swing-set. Be sure to make it a bit of a challenge to prolong the fun and anticipation of winning.
- Try Out the New Restaurant You’ve Been Dying to Go to: we are all so busy that we sometimes put our wants on the way way waaaay back burner. Have you been wanting to try out that new Seafood Place that everyone is gushing about? Do it! You’re on Staycation!
- Plan a Parents/Kids Role Reversal Day: have some fun with the kiddos by making them the parents for the day. Let them prepare the meals (with safety measures intact, of course), make the plans for the day, and be the decision makers. Best of all, parents will just get to sit back and enjoy being kids again.
- Roller Blading or Bowling: a cherished day of family together time is the essence of a good Staycation. Go bowling or to the roller rink or to the local YMCA for a day of easy fun and laughter.
- Painting Party: messes don’t matter when you’re on Staycation, so plan a Painting Party for you and your family. Let them paint something to hang in the living room or get outside and paint rocks for the garden and patio area. Nothing is better than homemade home decor.
- Visit a Local Attraction that You Haven’t Been to in a While: when I was a kid, I went to Guntown Mountain every Summer. Remember that place? There were snack bars, amusement park rides, magic shows, and a chairlift up the “mountain.” It was so much fun and I would love to go there again with my niece and nephew to relive great memories, but make new ones, that are just as special, at the same time.
- Take a Technology Break: no iPads. No Facebook. No technology distractions. Unplug and see the world through fresh-not-screen-tired eyes. Honestly, I can’t say no Netflix because I believe that is just taking things too far and could cause catastrophic results.
- Play an Epic Game of Hide-and-Seek: plan to begin the game at about 4:00 or 5:00 pm and then play until it gets dark. Those are the best! Be sure to plan the Home Base and decide if you are going to be using the “Olly-Olly-Oxen-Free” Rule!
- Have a Yard Sale: this may not sound like something that would be fun for a Staycation, but take the time to rid your house of the unused items and then use the cash you make for a fun day out with the family!
- Stay Up Late and Stargaze: something that doesn’t happen that much anymore, but is just as wonderful as it used to be. Sit out with those you love under the big blanket of stars and just take in the Earth’s beauty and the gorgeous scene that God has given us. Teach your kids about the constellations and take the opportunity to open up the lines of communication for the family.
- Visit with Family: we are all always hollering, “I haven’t seen you in forever! I’ve been so busy!” So, take advantage of your time off and spend a Staycation day with a family member that you haven’t seen in a while and catch up.
- Have a Theme Night: Disco Dance Party Night? Anyone? Have a fun night of dress-up and themed food. Make it a night from the 70s with the era’s music, lingo, and looks.
- Sit Around a Bonfire and Tell Stories: have a backyard bonfire and roast dinner for the night- hot dogs, marshmallows, or kabobs. After the delicious meal, sit around and share scary, funny, or silly stories with one another. A perfect ending to a perfect day of Staycation.
Staycation plans don’t have to require staying constantly busy, so maybe you just want to pick and choose from the list. Or maybe you want to complete every item and make tons of shared family memories. Just take a break from the fast pace and spend time with those you care the most about and get ready for a wonderful new season of outdoor fun!
Have you ever taken a Staycation? If so, tell me about it in the comments below!
Until next time.
