Does the thought of cramming your family into a tiny hotel room for a week of vacation seem more like torture than restful? Planning a kid-friendly vacation that can accommodate nap times, picky eaters, bedtime routines, hot sticky weather, crabby family members all on a tight budget can be a near impossible task.
As parents we want to give our children the gift of a fun-filled vacation but if an out-of-town vacation isn't in the budget and seems way too overwhelming why not consider a staycation instead!
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8 Tips to Help Plan The Ultimate Family Staycation
A family staycation embraces all the fun and restfulness of a vacation from the comforts of your own home. Check out our list of ways to make your staycation the best family vacation ever!
1. Create Family Staycation Guidelines
As a family spend some time discussing your expectations for your staycation. Everyone has different opinions of what "relaxing" is so make sure to discuss what expectations are before the staycation so everyone can enjoy their at-home vacation. For example, what chores must get done during the week and which ones can be skipped? Will it be a social-media free week? Will you allow friends or family to visit during your staycation?
2. Come Up With A Plan
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| click HERE for free printable planner |
You might not be booking hotels, rental cars or flights but having a plan in place will help this staycation feel like a real vacation. What local attractions, restaurants, activities or nature preserves do you want to visit?
Depending on the season of your staycation look for opportunities to try something new like a great new sledding spot in the winter or a backyard bonfire.
If you don't have a plan it will be really easy to slip back into your regular routine which won't make this time feel like a true vacation. No need to create a plan of your own from scratch - use this great FREE printable staycation planner from the mint.com blog instead.
3. Create A Budget
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| click HERE for free staycation budget planner |
If the budget is tight having a plan in place before your staycation begins can help you keep your spending in order. Planning out what places or activities your family is going to do before hand gives you time to find deals, coupons and even free events everyone will enjoy without blowing your budget.
Research which museums and events are free or what times and days they offer discounts. Download a FREE staycation budget planner from mint.com blog today!
4. Have A Meal Plan
Don't forget to plan which meals you will be eating out and which ones you will eat at home. The cost of eating out can be more expensive than you think so stick to your budget and enjoy preparing a meal or two together as a family at home. Keep it simple and put your crockpot or instant pot to work for you so the meal is ready when everyone is hungry!
Use this amazing meal planner from Sunny Day Family that includes everything you need to plan out a week of recipes for snacks and meals so you can stay within your budget!
5. Let Loose A Little
It's a vacation right! Why not get a little crazy and kick the rules to the side for a few days? All day pajama party, face painting party in the kitchen or spa day in the bathroom isn't something you do everyday but on a vacation the sky's the limit. When you are on vacation everything is a little more relaxed and fun so make sure to let down your hair a little and enjoy your staycation!
6. Pick Your Family Splurge Item
There is always something on every vacation that everyone looks forward to so why not have one special "splurge" item on your staycation too! It doesn't have to be extravagant to make it special. A walk on the beach collecting seashells or tickets to a local sport event or even a special family dinner can all be considered a special splurge. Remember vacations are about making great family memories, so make some great ones!
7. Plan Some Local Day Trips
Your staycation doesn't have to all be done in the comforts of your own home. There are plenty of local attractions around that are within a tank of gas if you look for them. Plan a few day trips to places you love or haven't visited before, pack a cooler and hit the road for the day. The best part is you get to sleep in your own bed each night!
8. Vacation Attitude
Remember this is a vacation so make sure your attitude is set to vacation mode! As a parent it is easy to reply to a quick email from work or return a phone call to your boss, but remember you wouldn't be doing this if you were out of state lying on the beach somewhere would you? So don't do it on your staycation either! Commit to a vacation and to relaxing and truly unplug from the daily grind. Your family will thank you!
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