Staycation Any Season and Avoid Travel Stress
Trade High Gas Prices, Reservations, and Long Lines for Fun at Home
Jun 19, 2009
A staycation is a vacation taken at home during summer or any other season. As gas prices remain unstable, many consumers are opting to avoid the hassle and expense of a traditional vacation. Even during summer months, would-be travelers all over the country are thinking twice about shelling out large sums of money for pricey hotels and upscale restaurants. It makes more sense to stay home and spend hard-earned vacation money on local fun.
A staycation can be taken any time of year and is more than just time off from work. It's a time to relax and indulge in favorite interests or to catch up with family. Some people prefer to do nothing at all on a staycation, while others use the time off to try something new and impulsive. An individual or couple might prefer to take a few days at a time for a mini-staycation. A large family may stretch the time off to a few weeks or more.
How to Plan a Staycation
It's easy to plan a staycation. There is no calculating the cost of gas for a trip, no hotel reservations to make, no long lines at costly tourist attractions, no arguing about destinations, and no packing. Mail service does not have to be stopped, and there is no need to arrange pet care.
A staycationer remains in his or her hometown and takes advantage of local attractions or stays at home to relax and have fun. If the idea sounds tempting, then cash in those employee vacation days and start planning.
Set a few ground rules before embarking on a staycation:
- Plan a start and finish date. Elisabeth Leamy from the ABC News Good Morning America Web site offers planning advice for staycationing in the article, "Tips for Planning a Great Staycation" (2008). "Just as you would with a vacation, schedule a beginning and ending for your staycation to make it feel like an official vacation. Otherwise, it runs the risk of feeling like just another string of nights in front of the tube."
- No chores have to be done while on staycation, unless absolutely necessary. (Taking out the garbage and feeding the dog are two examples of necessary chores.)
- Turn off the phone and computer. No cell phone calls from work are permitted and no sneaking off to the den to work at home.
- Each person or family member gets to pick at least one activity or is allowed to choose the entertainment for one day for the whole group.
- Take photos of the staycation experience or keep a journal.
Staycation Activities for Families with Younger Children
Choose age-appropriate activities for kids, especially younger children. Consider attractions that might cater to small children, such as a water park with a kiddie pool or a zoo that has a petting pen. Some museums have child-oriented attractions, and many symphony associations offer young people's concerts throughout the year in addition to adult performances. Check out a miniature golf course, or grab a newspaper and see what activities are being offered around town that might be suitable for children. Try these activities at home:
- Hoola hoop contest. This is good exercise and great fun for the entire family.
- A bike tour of the neighborhood. End the road trip with an ice cream party.
- Make snow cones on a hot afternoon or hot homemade muffins during cooler months.
- Plan a movie night with popcorn, hotdogs, and sodas.
- Have a board game marathon. Try an all-afternoon game of Monopoly.
- Invest in a water sprinkler or water game on hot days. Prepare for hours of outdoor fun.
- Buy an inexpensive digital camera. Let children take photos of pets, each other, or perhaps a garden (or visit a nearby botanical garden). Photography works for all seasons.
- Buy a remote-control vehicle to play with in the backyard. Set up ramps and try to do stunts with the vehicle.
- Plan a poolside lunch or back yard picnic. In colder months, opt for a fireside dinner served on special-occasion dinnerware or use seasonal paper plates.
Staycation Ideas for Families with Older Children
Teens and older kids may be horrified by the idea of spending vacation time at home – "boring" is the usual response – but a little planning can easily sway a bad attitude.
- Head for the bowling alley or amusement center. Mom and Dad can join the fun or grab a lunch together at the snack bar.
- Visit the skating rink; some places offer all-night skating during the summer and during long school breaks.
- Go camping as a family. Rent a cabin in the woods or pitch a tent in the back yard.
- Throw a back yard barbeque or host a pool party with parental supervision. Splurge and make it a family luau. Move the party indoors in colder months.
- Try a new Nintendo Wii game together.
- Visit the town Chamber of Commerce to see what local attractions may have been overlooked, such as an archeological site, an aquarium, or a ranch that offers horseback riding to the public.
- Check out a flea market or thrift store to see what bargains can be found.
- Stay overnight at a local hotel. Many offer nightly family entertainment as well as room service and an indoor pool that's usable all year.
A staycation is a great way to relax and relieve stress at any time of year. This type of vacation is certainly less stressful for parents of young children. Adolescents and teens are generally harder to please, but there are staycation advantages for older children. Whether the staycationer is an individual or family, vacationing at home offers an endless amount of fun at a reduced price.
Plan a staycation by observing a few simple guidelines. Enjoy activities chosen by each family member or select local entertainment for group fun. Whatever one's preference, be sure to take full advantage of the well-deserved break no matter what time of year. Avoid the trip planning and hassles of travel reservations; skip the long lines and miles of endless driving. Take a staycation instead, and enjoy the stress-free advantage of vacationing at home.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
